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LASIK Surgery

LASIK Surgery

At Southern Eye Group, our experienced ophthalmologists perform LASIK to help patients from Mobile, Alabama and throughout the Gulf Coast achieve clearer vision, reducing or even eliminating their need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. We proudly serve patients in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi and the Gulf Coast region with premium vision correction services.

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What is LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK, or laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis, is a vision correction surgery procedure that reshapes the cornea to correct refractive errors. Refractive errors, including nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism, are all caused by irregularities in the shape of the cornea. This affects the way light is refracted onto the retina to produce the images we see. With LASIK, the eye surgeons at Southern Eye Group alter the curvature of the cornea to help patients achieve crisp, clear vision. In fact, the American Refractive Surgery Council reports that up to Trusetd Source Checkbox Trusted Source What is the LASIK Success Rate? American Refractive Surgery Council Go to Source 90% of LASIK patients achieve vision that is 20/20 or better after vision correction surgery.

Did you know LASIK can help you save money on vision costs?

Learn more with our LASIK Savings Calculator.

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Starting age:
18
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Benefits of LASIK

Patients at Southern Eye Group enjoy so many benefits of LASIK eye surgery, including:

  • A fast, painless procedure
  • Results nearly immediate
  • Little to no need for eyeglasses or contact lenses
  • Enhanced quality of life
  • A high rate of patient satisfaction: More than Trusetd Source Checkbox Trusted Source Functional outcome and patient satisfaction after laser in situ keratomileusis for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism Bamashmus MA, Hubaish K, Alawad M, Alakhlee H Go to Source 98% of patients report that they are satisfied or very satisfied with their LASIK experience and results
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Who is a Candidate for LASIK?

If you are tired of constantly relying on eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct vision problems while performing daily activities, you may benefit from clearer vision through LASIK laser eye surgery. The ideal LASIK candidate:

  • Is 18 or older
  • Has healthy corneas suitable for the procedure
  • Has no history of eye disease such as glaucoma
  • Has a stable vision prescription with no changes in the last year
  • Is in good general health
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Making LASIK Affordable

Clear vision is an investment in your future. At Southern Eye Group, we offer flexible financing options to help make LASIK more accessible. Qualified patients can take advantage of monthly payments as low as $188, and you’re welcome to use HSA or FSA funds to cover eligible costs. To understand your options and what influences the cost of LASIK, explore our available plans and pricing information.

Save $500 on LASIK

For a limited time, new LASIK patients can receive $500 off their procedure. Check out our Specials page to learn more!

Meet Our LASIK Surgeons

LASIK at Southern Eye Group is performed by a team of skilled ophthalmologists with extensive experience in vision correction:

dr. hicks

Kristin Ates Hicks, M.D., Ph.D.

A comprehensive ophthalmologist with advanced training in refractive surgery, Dr. Hicks performs LASIK procedures tailored to each patient’s unique vision goals.

Paul McDaniel, D.O.

Kelvin “Paul” McDaniel, D.O.

A board-certified ophthalmologist with over 10,000 surgeries performed, Dr. McDaniel brings extensive LASIK experience and a patient-focused approach to vision correction.

Dr Peter Zloty headshot

Peter Zloty, M.D.

Fellowship-trained in corneal and refractive surgery, Dr. Zloty has years of experience performing LASIK and is committed to delivering precise outcomes using the latest techniques.

Courtney Ray, M.D.

Courtney Ray, M.D.

Board certified and fellowship-trained, Dr. Ray has specialized in laser vision correction for over a decade, offering LASIK and PRK to patients across the Gulf Coast.

LASIK Surgery: What to Expect

 

Preparing for LASIK

The first step in preparing for LASIK surgery is to attend a consultation with an ophthalmologist you trust. During this meeting, your eye doctor will conduct a vision and eye health examination and review your medical history. Together, you will decide on the best vision correction option for your unique needs and goals. If you are a good candidate for LASIK, your procedure will be scheduled.

The LASIK Procedure

Before LASIK, your eye surgeon will apply anesthetic eye drops to help you remain comfortable. You may also be given an oral sedative, and a device will be used to hold your eyes open so you don’t need to worry about blinking.

To begin the LASIK procedure, your ophthalmologist will use a femtosecond laser to create a thin flap in your cornea. Next, the cornea is meticulously reshaped with an excimer laser to correct refractive errors. The Trusetd Source Checkbox Trusted Source Lasik: what should I expect before, during, and after surgery? FDA Go to Source LASIK procedure itself only takes about 15 minutes per eye. No sutures are required, as the cornea will naturally heal itself. After recovering briefly at our eye care center, you will be driven home by a friend or family member to continue your recovery.

Recovery After LASIK

Immediately after LASIK, your vision may be a bit blurry, but this will resolve quickly. During the LASIK recovery period, your eyes may feel uncomfortable, itchy, or watery. Your LASIK surgeon will give you eye drops that will reduce redness and improve your comfort. You should be able to return to work and normal activities the day after your LASIK procedure.

LASIK Results

Most of our patients begin to notice LASIK results within a day or two of their procedure, though the full extent of vision enhancement may not be realized for a few days to a week.

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Frequently Asked Questions About LASIK

How much does LASIK cost, and what payment options are available?

The cost of LASIK at Southern Eye Group is based on your individual treatment plan, which we customize to your unique vision needs. We offer transparent pricing along with a variety of payment and financing options to help make LASIK more affordable. During your consultation, we’ll provide a personalized quote and walk you through the options available to fit your budget.

Is LASIK painful?

LASIK is not painful. Prior to the procedure, your eye doctor will apply anesthetic eye drops to ensure your comfort. You may feel some light pressure during the LASIK procedure (the reshaping of your corneal tissue), and slight discomfort during the recovery period, but pain should not be a part of your LASIK experience.

Is LASIK permanent?

During LASIK, the cornea is permanently reshaped to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. While the effects of LASIK last forever, the eyes do change as part of the natural aging process. At around the age of 40, all people begin to develop presbyopia, or age-related near vision loss. This can cause people to begin to require reading glasses, and cannot be prevented with LASIK.

What are the risks of LASIK?

LASIK is generally considered to be a safe eye surgery procedure, especially when performed by an experienced ophthalmologist like those with Southern Eye Group. The American Refractive Surgery Council reports that Trusetd Source Checkbox Trusted Source LASIK Complication Rate: The Latest Facts and Stats You Should Know American Refractive Surgery Council Go to Source fewer than 1% of LASIK patients experience any complications. Still, any surgical procedure is associated with some risks and complications. Trusetd Source Checkbox Trusted Source What are the risks and how can I find the right doctor for me? Food and Drug Administration Go to Source Potential side effects of LASIK, while rare, include:

  • Dry eye syndrome
  • Glare and halos
  • Double vision
  • Over- or under-correction of refractive errors
  • Corneal flap dislocation
  • Light sensitivity

Contact Southern Eye Group

If you are interested in learning more about LASIK, PRK, and other vision correction surgery procedures, please contact us to schedule a consultation with our ophthalmology team at one of our many locations throughout the Gulf Coast.

1 American Refractive Surgery Council. What is the LASIK Success Rate? Available: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/laser-eye-surgery-lasik-success-rate/. Accessed May 19, 2022.

2 Bamashmus MA, Hubaish K, Alawad M, Alakhlee H. Functional outcome and patient satisfaction after laser in situ keratomileusis for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism. Middle East Afr J Ophthalmol. 2015 Jan-Mar;22(1):108-14. doi: 10.4103/0974-9233.148359. PMID: 25624684; PMCID: PMC4302464. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25624684/. Accessed May 19, 2022.

3 FDA. Lasik: what should I expect before, during, and after surgery? Available: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-should-i-expect-during-and-after-surgery. Accessed May 19, 2022.

4 American Refractive Surgery Council. LASIK Complication Rate: The Latest Facts and Stats You Should Know. Available: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/lasik-complication-rate-latest-facts. Accessed May 19, 2022.

5 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-are-risks-and-how-can-i-find-right-doctor-me. Accessed May 19, 2022.

The doctors at Southern Eye Group have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.

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