Frequently Asked Questions

How do I select a surgeon?

Do I need a referral from my eye doctor?

Do I need a current prescription?

When do I stop wearing my contact lenses?

Why should I have Advanced CustomVue™ WaveFront treatment vs. conventional treatment?

Are these techniques brand new?

Has laser vision correction been tested with clinical trials?

Laser Eye Surgery and Pregnancy

Birth Control Pills

Does MHSC/Pharmacare/Medicare cover the procedure?

Do you have 0% financing?

What happens on the day of surgery?

Does LASIK hurt?

Can you have both eyes treated at the same time?

How long does the procedure take?

What kind of anesthesia is used during the treatment?

Can I see the LASIK treatment as it is being performed?

Will my eyes be patched?

Will I experience pain after the LASIK treatment?

How soon after surgery will I see well?

When can I go back to work?

When can I start driving?

What about decreased night vision?

Will I need reading glasses after the treatment?

How often do I have to see my optometrist?

How do I select a surgeon?

Choosing a surgeon is a personal decision based on your individual needs and expectations. Ask yourself a series of questions to help you determine the style of practice that you are most comfortable with. Who will be my contact person after the procedure – a surgeon, optometrist, ophthalmic assistant/nurse?

How comfortable am I in discussing my questions with staff members other than the treating doctor?

Am I comfortable with having someone other than my eye care physician performing follow-up examinations?

Do I want a personal consultation with my surgeon prior to the day of my laser treatment?

Is the practice strictly a refractive surgery centre or a full service ophthalmic practice offering refractive surgery as one component?

Laser vision correction practices approach patient care differently. Our goal is to provide a flexible approach to accommodate your preferences regarding assessments, follow-ups and personal life circumstances, which will provide you with the care that you deserve.

» Back to the questions

Do I need a referral from my eye doctor?

You may make your appointment directly with IMAGE PLUS. A referral from your eye doctor is not necessary. We do encourage you, however, to consult with your optometrist about laser vision correction and have an eye examination done. Your optometrist will fill out our laser treatment application for you and forward it to IMAGE PLUS. After one of our surgeons has reviewed your optometrist's assessment, you will be personally contacted and your results discussed with you.

» Back to the questions

Do I need a current prescription?

It is not absolutely necessary to bring a current prescription to your personal assessment. We are able to measure your glasses prescription at your personal assessment. We will want to confirm that your prescription is stable for at least 1 year and knowing your present prescription is one way of determining this.

» Back to the questions

When do I stop wearing contact my lenses?

Soft contact lenses must be removed at least two weeks prior to your consultation and surgery. Hard contact lenses should be removed at least four weeks before your consultation and surgery. For this exam we want your eyes in their natural state, to properly assess your candidacy.

» Back to the questions

Why should I have Advanced CustomVue™ WaveFront treatment vs. conventional treatment?

In the past, the conventional treatment has provided excellent results and continues to do so. Advanced Customvue™ Wavefront technology, however, provides you with treatment that is more accurate and 25 times more precise than a conventional treatment. Your surgeon will determine what treatment best suits you at your consultation.

» Back to the questions

Are these techniques brand new?

Laser vision correct was introduced in 1987, with a technique called Photorefractive Keratectomy, known as PRK. This technique has received Canadian Health Protection Branch (HPB) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval when used with a VISX® excimer laser. PRK has received approval for nearsightedness (0 to 12 Diopters), astigmatism (0 to-4 Diopters), and farsightedness (+1 to +6 Diopters).

In the 1990's, a second laser technique, Laser in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), became available. To date LASIK has received FDA approval for the treatment of myopia and astigmatism. It is offered as an alternative to PRK and is presently more frequently performed than PRK. Which procedure is best for you depends on your vision needs, and individual eye health.

» Back to the questions

Has laser vision correction been tested with clinical trials?

The benefits and risks of laser vision correction are recorded in the medical literature. We offer handouts for those who wish to see clinical trial results and information regarding the effectiveness and safety. Note that the long-term effects of PRK and LASIK are not known.

At IMAGE PLUS, we use the VISX® Star S4 Active Trak™ excimer laser with Iris Registration. This VISX® Star S4 Active Trak™ laser with guided Advanced CustomVue ™ WaveFront can treat nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism with both LASIK and PRK techniques.

Link to FDA Approval

» Back to the questions

Laser Eye Surgery and Pregnancy

Hormones produced during pregnancy and nursing can cause instability of the eye's refraction, changing your vision. This is usually temporary and returns to normal after pregnancy and breast feeding. If you are pregnant and have already had laser vision correction, you may see a change in your vision. Similar changes may occur even if laser vision correction has not been done. Most women can expect their eyes to return to their pre-pregnancy state after they stop nursing.

Women who are pregnant or nursing should not have laser vision correction. We would advise you to wait until your prescription stabilizes after your delivery or after you stop nursing.

» Back to the questions

Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills may decrease tear production and may contribute to the symptoms of dry eyes but are rarely the sole cause. If you are concerned about dry eyes, be sure to speak with your eye care professional. Your eyes will also be checked for dryness as part of your preoperative complimentary assessment.

» Back to the questions

Does Public Health Care/Pharmacare/Medicare cover the Procedure?

Laser vision correction is considered cosmetic surgery. Therefore public health care plans do not cover these procedures. You are encouraged to check with your private insurance company for their coverage policies. Remember that you may often claim your treatment fee as a medical expense on your income tax.

» Back to the questions

Do you have 0% financing?

Our financing option offers highly competitive rates and flexible payment options. Customize your payment plan to suit your personal needs.

Click here for more information on Financing

» Back to the questions

What happens on the day of surgery?

Patients are expected to be at IMAGE PLUS for two hours on the day of surgery. Consent forms that are usually given to you 2-3 weeks prior to your surgery will be reviewed. We can confirm financing and take full payment on the day of surgery. A staff member will go over in detail the precautions to be taken for the first few days after surgery. This includes instructions on how to use your drops and artificial tears.

The duration of surgery will last approximately 30 minutes.

Immediately after surgery, you will rest in the recovery room while your flap begins the initial healing process. We then use medicated drops and place the protective eye shields over your eyes. You are instructed to take a nap for 4-6 hours.

Click here for more information on Your Procedure

» Back to the questions

Does LASIK hurt?

Your treatment itself is typically painless, although you may feel some pressure and feel that you need to blink. We also provide you with a sedative about 30 minutes prior to your surgery to help you feel relaxed and comfortable.

» Back to the questions

Can you have both eyes treated at the same time?

It is always safer to do one eye at a time, however, the majority of our patients choose to have both eyes done for convenience and the ease of returning back to work quickly.

» Back to the questions

How long does the procedure take?

For your convenience, Lasik is performed on-sight in our climate controlled laser suite. The treatment for both eyes takes approximately 30 minutes.

» Back to the questions

What kind of anesthesia is used during the treatment?

Our surgeon will use a topical anesthetic drop to temporarily numb the feeling in your eye(s) during your surgical procedure.

» Back to the questions

Can I see the LASIK treatment as it is being performed?

You are awake during the treatment and you may see bright lights. You cannot see what your surgeon is doing but he will talk with you about what you can expect to happen.

» Back to the questions

Will my eyes be patched?

Your eye(s) will not be patched. After Lasik or IntraLasik we use clear protective eye shields over your eyes(s). You are to wear them while you are sleeping for a period of 2 weeks after your surgery. This is to avoid accidental eye rubbing at night. For PRK, no clear shield is required but there will be a clear bandage contact lens placed on your eye for about 3 to 4 days.

» Back to the questions

Will I experience pain after the LASIK treatment?

Each individual has different experiences regarding pain. You may feel the following symptoms: slight irritation, red and watery eyes, dryness, a burning onion sensation and your sinuses may feel as if they are plugged. We advise you to go home and nap for several hours. When you wake up, the irritation should have lessened or disappeared. You may then resume activity as specified in your post operative instructions.

» Back to the questions

How soon after surgery will I see well?

Initially, your vision will be like "swimming under water". Depending on your prescription, your vision should improve over several hours to several days. Each patient heals differently and so will how quickly your vision improves.

» Back to the questions

When can I go back to work?

For two weeks following surgery, you should avoid excessive dusty and smoky environments, especially for PRK patients. Before your surgery, you should discuss with your surgeon how much time you will need off work.

» Back to the questions

When can I start driving?

At your 1 day post op visit with your surgeon, your vision and eyes will be assessed. Once you meet the vision criteria for driving (typically after one day with Lasik) you will be instructed how to get your glasses restriction removed from your license. You should not drive to your one day post-operative visit.

» Back to the questions

What about decreased night vision?

It is important to realize that a minority of those who undergo laser vision correction experience a decreas in night vision quality following surgery. This usually is temporary and subsides within several months for the majority of patients. Some will continue to experience poorer night vision for a number of months. Occasionally it may be permanent. Wavefront treatment with Advanced CustomVue™ WaveFront minimizes the chance of night vision quality worsening. Advanced CustomVue™ WaveFront tends to maintain or even improve night vision quality.

» Back to the questions

Will I need reading glasses after the treatment?

Presbyopia is the term that refers to the eye's decreased ability to focus, and occurs with aging. This is usually first noticed in the mid 40's. Laser vision correction does not presently correct or prevent presbyopia. Even after having laser eye surgery, reading glasses may still be necessary and can occasionally be needed right after laser vision correction. One option for delaying the need for reading glasses is to have mono-vision. Mono-vision is having one eye treated for close and the other eye treated for distance. Your surgeon will discuss this option with you, if you wish.

» Back to the questions

How often do I have to see my optometrist/eye surgeon?

Routine follow up visits after laser vision correction are done at one week, one month, three months, six months and one year. These may be done with your optometrist, or an IMAGE PLUS eye doctor. To provide appropriate continuity of care, however, we recommend that you see your eye care doctor, soon after your laser surgery, and yearly there after. We would be happy to discuss what follow plan best suits you needs and lifestyle.

» Back to the questions