Just Minutes Away From A Lifetime Without Glasses or Contacts


St. Michael's Eye & Laser Institute is one of Central Florida's only facilities engineered specifically for laser eye surgery. Our state-of-the-art laser equipment can literally change the way you see the world within just moments. LASIK surgery has become the number one method of vision correction for good reason: It's safe and effective.

In addition to LASIK, there are several options of laser vision correction. To find which is the best option for you, schedule a FREE Consultation at St. Michael's Eye & Laser Institute. We will carefully examine you to determine which method is right for you.


What is LASIK?
LASIK (Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis) is a permanent procedure in which the surface of the eye is reshaped. This remarkable procedure, which takes about ten minutes, is used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

During LASIK, an excimer laser makes pulses of invisible ultraviolet light. Each pulse of light removes a microscopic layer from the front surface of the cornea, changing the curvature of the cornea ever so slightly. The Excimer laser is a cold laser that removes a very small amount of tissue, usually less than the thickness of a hair. (A cold laser does not remove tissue by burning and does not penetrate further than the surface of your eye.) The laser utilized at our center is a VISX Star S3, one of the most advanced lasers in the world.


Results
Results are usually amazing. With this procedure, many patients see an immediate vision improvement, while others see improvement over a few days or weeks. 20/20 vision is achieved from this procedure by 99% of all St. Michael's patients.

In addition to LASIK, there are several options of laser vision correction. To find which is the best option for you, schedule a FREE Consultation at St. Michael's Eye & Laser Institute. We will carefully examine you to determine which method is right for you.


Am I a Candidate for LASIK?
Nearsighted
The best candidates are those that cannot see clearly at distance. This is because their eye is too long and the image is projected too far in front of the retina. LASIK reshapes the cornea, reducing the length of the eye and improving your vision generally to 20/20 and even 20/15.

Farsighted
Patients who see better at a distance focus images too far behind the retina. This is because their eyes are too short. The VISX Star S3 laser can also correct for farsightedness to a small degree. Another option for farsighted patients is clear lens exchange, which can correct high degrees of hyperopia. Ask St. Michael's about this amazing procedure.

Astigmatism
A majority of our population have some degree of astigmatism. This causes blurred vision at every distance. For the best vision without correction, the surface of the cornea should be perfectly round like a basketball. Persons with astigmatism have a corneal surface which is shaped more like a football. They have a steep axis and a flat axis. Astigmatism causes a person to have multiple focal points. LASIK with the VISX Star S3 laser can also correct for this.

Commonly Asked Questions About LASIK

Q: Is it safe?
A: LASIK is a very safe procedure and is FDA approved. There have not been any reported incidents of blindness due to LASIK. It does however, as with any surgery, have some possible side effects and risks. These can all be addressed during your consultation.
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Q: Is it painful?
A: LASIK is not painful before, during or after the procedure. There are also no needles associated with LASIK. The eyes are numbed with drops. Patients may experience a heightened sensitivity of their eyes immediately after the procedure. This sensitivity is relieved with eye drops. We suggest you take a nap following the LASIK procedure, and avoid smoke or dust for the first 24 hours.
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Q: What are the side effects and risks?
A:
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Q: What happens if I move or blink my eyes during surgery?
A: We use an instrument to hold your eyes open and to hold the eye completely still during the entire procedure. This completely eliminates the possibility of eye movement during laser surgery. You cannot blink or look away. This is neither painful nor uncomfortable. If something should happen and you need to move, for instance, to cough or to sneeze, our doctors can simply stop the procedure and continue when you feel able.
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Q: What should I expect on the day of the surgery?
A: On the day of the surgery, you will have to complete a surgical consent form. We ask our patients to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to their scheduled surgery. This allows time to review the procedure and complete all of their paperwork. After you have completed your consent form, you will be taken back to the surgery center. Our doctors do not use sedatives unless the patient feels the need. The procedure takes approximately 6 minutes for each eye. The surgery is performed on both eyes the same day. LASIK patients recover very quickly and generally return to work and most all of their normal activities the following day.
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Q: How long does it take before I can see?
A: Most patients can tell a difference in their vision immediately after surgery. There are drops that our doctors will ask you to put in your eyes following surgery. These drops are the only post-op medication necessary after your surgery. These drops help the eye heal quickly and may cause some blurriness immediately after application. The blurriness will fade in minutes.
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Q: Why St. Michaels' Eye and Laser?
A: St. Michael's Eye & Laser Institute is one of Tampa Bay's only facilities engineered specifically for laser eye surgery. Our state-of-the-art equipment and caring, highly trained staff combine to bring you the highest quality service.
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Q: What is the next step?
A: Call our office and speak to our friendly refractive coordinators to schedule your free consultation.
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