FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Am I a good candidate?
A. The best way to find out if laser vision correction is right for you is to schedule a free examination with our ophthalmologists. Call us at (361) 993-9000 or e-mail us to set up your free screening.

At the screening we will confirm you are a good candidate, explain the procedure, and answer your questions so you can make an informed decision. Generally, you are a good candidate for laser vision correction if you are at least 21 years old, in good general health, and have good eye health with no diseases such as cataracts or glaucoma. At Precision Eye Laser Center, Dr. Whitsett has performed vision correction procedures to treat a broad range of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. In most cases, we can even treat patients with the most severe degrees of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. You should not undergo laser vision correction if you: are pregnant or nursing; have signs of a corneal disease; have an auto-immune or immunodeficiency disease; or had a previous corneal injury or scar near the corneal center.

Q. What kind of results can I expect?
A. The vast majority of laser vision correction patients with mild to moderate prescriptions are able to read the 20/20 line on the eye chart. National studies show more than 98 percent of laser vision correction patients no longer need glasses or contacts to drive, play sports, watch movies and TV, or participate in careers requiring excellent vision such as police and fire departments. While laser vision correction has proven overwhelmingly successful in reducing dependence on glasses and contact lenses, the degree of improvement may vary among individuals. Some patients may require glasses for certain activities such as night driving. How well and how quickly your vision improves depends on how well you heal and the severity of your prescription. At your initial consultation, we will give you a good idea of what you can expect.

Q. How long does the procedure take?
A. You can expect to be in the laser suite for approximately 10 to 20 minutes per eye. However, the actual laser procedure usually takes less than a minute per eye. Plan on being at the Laser Center for one to two hours to allow post-operative monitoring.

Q. How long do the results last?
A. The results should last for the rest of your life. Laser vision correction has been performed throughout the world since the 1980s and the studies indicate the results are stable. There are a few cases where a slight regression of the correction may occur within the first few weeks following the procedure. These eyes can be corrected with a free enhancement (or second) procedure if you and your physician agree an enhancement will benefit you. In general, the few patients who require an enhancement procedure or develop a problem appear to do so within the first few months following the procedure rather than years later.

Q. What does the cost of the procedure cover?
A. The cost for laser vision correction includes the following services:

Call (361) 993-9000 and ask to speak to a Precision Eye Laser Center patient counselor to schedule a free screening and obtain the procedure fee. You can also pay for the procedure with cash, check or credit card. Many of our patients choose one of our affordable monthly payment plans. .

Q. Will the procedure hurt?
A. In almost all cases, laser vision correction is virtually painless. There are no needles. Precision Eye Laser Center ophthalmologists use anesthetic drops to numb your eyes just before the procedure. After LASIK, your eyes may feel some minor irritation for a few hours, but most patients are quite comfortable after taking a short nap. Dryness in your eyes can last up to several weeks. When dryness occurs, we routinely order lubricant eye drops.

Q. Are there any risks?
A. The chance of having a vision-reducing complication has been documented in a number of clinical studies to be less than 1 percent. Our commitment to patient care means we will always do our best for you before, during and after your procedure. Call us at (361) 993-9000 for a complete description of all risks.

Q. What's the difference between LASIK and PRK?
A. LASIK and PRK are effective laser procedures for the correction of nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. Since the fall of 1997, more than 85 percent of laser vision corrections in the United States have been LASIK. LASIK offers faster visual recovery; less of discomfort after surgery; fewer post-operative visits; less risk of infection, corneal haze or scarring; less need for anti-inflammatory eyedrops. In addition, LASIK can be used to treat a wider range of prescriptions. For these reasons, Dr. Whitsett prefers LASIK for the vast majority of his patients. Since the surface of the cornea (epithelium) is preserved with LASIK, LASIK patients see well the day following their procedure. PRK patients require about three to seven days for the epithelium to heal and their vision to improve. .

Q. What will my recovery be like?
A. Many patients notice an improvement immediately after the laser treatment. Most LASIK patients usually see quite well the next day, but patients with higher prescriptions may recover more slowly from either LASIK or PRK. In those cases, generally there is gradual improvement for the first one to two months following the procedure. Although the speed of visual recovery depends on personal healing patterns, most patients notice dramatic visual results within the first few days following their procedure.

Q. Will I have to take time off from work?
A. Patients generally can return to work within a day or two after laser vision correction. Patients are advised to sleep as much as possible during the first 12 hours post-op. This minimizes blinking and allows the eyes to rest.

Q. Why should I choose Precision Eye Laser Center?
A. . We feel there are many reasons why you should choose Precision Eye Laser Center for your laser vision correction procedure. A few of those reasons are listed below. However, we feel if you call (361) 993-9000, you will immediately see why we are different. First, Dr. Whitsett is board certified and our support staff is highly qualified. Second, we have all made a commitment to practice state-of-the-art laser vision correction using FDA approved lasers. Third, we offer a convenient location in the heart of Corpus Christi. Fourth, we have made a commitment to making laser vision correction affordable to our patients with flexible financing programs. Fifth, we are all convinced the best patient is an educated patient. For that reason all our physicians and staff will make sure we take the time necessary to answer any questions you may have about the risks and benefits of laser vision correction so our patients can make informed decisions. Sixth, Dr. Whitsett has been performing refractive surgery for many years and has had exceptional results.

Q. How can I get the latest information?
A. To find out more about laser vision correction or to determine if you are a candidate, call us at (361) 933-9000. You can arrange to attend a free laser vision correction screening that explains the important details and allows you to meet our doctor and staff. In addition, if you'd like to talk with someone who has had laser vision correction with Dr. Whitsett, we'd be happy to put you in touch with patients who can describe their experiences to you first hand.

Q. What payment options are available?
A. At Precision Eye Laser Center we believe in making laser vision correction affordable. In addition to establishing a highly competitive price, we offer our patients the ability to pay for the procedure with affordable monthly payments starting as low as $75 per month.

At Precision Eye Laser Center, we believe that you are making a tremendous investment in your vision and your life. Just like with other things in life, the lowest price is not always the best value. With LASIK, it is important that you make sure your surgeon has experience and a track record of safety and good results. Make sure you have a full understanding of all the risks and benefits as they relate to you. In addition, make sure that you are entitled to comprehensive follow-up care after your LASIK procedure.

When you consider all of these factors, we are confident that you will make the intelligent choice - Precision Eye Laser Center.

(361) 993-9000 Precision Eye Laser Center, Ltd. 5756 S. Staples #A2 Corpus Christi, TX 78413

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