Your First Step Toward Clearer Vision
If you rely on glasses or contact lenses, you may have wondered what life would be like without them. Laser eye surgery is a popular and effective way to reduce dependence on corrective lenses and experience long-term vision improvement. At Karns Vision Center, we provide comprehensive laser eye surgery consultations to help determine if you’re a candidate for this life-changing procedure.
During your consultation, our experienced optometrists will:
Take the first step toward visual freedom – book your consultation today!
Determining if You’re a Good Candidate
While laser vision correction is highly effective, not everyone is an ideal candidate for refractive surgery. Good overall eye health is essential before undergoing surgery, and certain factors can impact eligibility. Understanding these requirements helps ensure the best possible outcomes for your laser refractive surgery.
Key Candidate Requirements:
If you currently wear contact lenses, you’ll need to discontinue use for a specified period before your consultation to allow your corneas to return to their natural shape. This is crucial for accurate measurements and determining if you have thin corneas or other factors that might affect your candidacy for different types of laser eye surgery.
Not sure if you qualify? Schedule a consultation at Karns Vision Center to receive expert guidance on your laser vision correction options.
Laser eye surgery refers to a range of procedures that use precise laser technology to reshape corneal tissue and correct refractive errors. These procedures work by changing how light rays enter your eye, allowing them to focus properly on your retina for clear distance vision and improved overall sight.
The most common refractive errors corrected by laser eye surgery include nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. Each type of laser vision correction uses advanced technology to reshape the corneal stroma – the middle layer of your cornea – to help you achieve corrected vision and reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
Modern laser eye surgery techniques have evolved significantly, offering patients multiple options depending on their specific vision problems, corneal thickness, lifestyle needs, and other individual factors. Our comprehensive evaluation will help determine which approach offers the best chance for optimal vision correction.
LASIK surgery, or laser assisted in situ keratomileusis, is the most well-known and commonly performed type of laser eye surgery. This procedure involves creating a thin corneal flap using either a femtosecond laser or a precision blade, then using an excimer laser to reshape the underlying corneal tissue before repositioning the flap.
How LASIK Works: The procedure begins with your eye surgeon creating a precise corneal flap in the outer layer of your cornea. This flap is gently lifted to expose the corneal stroma, where the excimer laser removes microscopic amounts of tissue to correct your refractive errors. The laser beam is programmed specifically for your prescription, ensuring accurate correction of your vision problems.
Benefits of LASIK Surgery:
Quick recovery time, with most patients returning to normal activities within 24-48 hours
Minimal discomfort during and after the procedure
High satisfaction rates, with most patients achieving 20/20 or better vision
Long-lasting results that can eliminate or significantly reduce dependence on corrective lenses
Ability to correct multiple refractive errors simultaneously
Is LASIK Right for You? LASIK eye surgery is ideal for patients with stable prescriptions, adequate corneal thickness, and healthy eyes. However, some individuals may not be candidates due to thin corneas, severe dry eye, or certain medical conditions. During your consultation, we’ll perform detailed measurements to determine if LASIK is the best option for achieving your vision goals.
Post-LASIK Care: Following LASIK surgery, you’ll use prescribed eye drops to promote healing and prevent corneal infection. Most patients experience rapid improvement in their vision, though some may notice temporary fluctuations as their eyes heal. Regular follow-up appointments ensure proper healing and monitor for any residual refractive errors.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) was actually the first type of laser refractive surgery developed and remains an excellent option for many patients today. Unlike LASIK, PRK doesn’t require creating a corneal flap. Instead, the outer layer of the cornea (epithelium) is gently removed before the excimer laser reshapes the underlying corneal tissue.
How PRK Works: During PRK surgery, your eye surgeon carefully removes the corneal epithelium to expose the corneal stroma. The excimer laser then precisely reshapes this tissue to correct your refractive errors, allowing light rays to focus properly on your retina. A protective contact lens is placed over the eye during initial healing to promote comfort and proper epithelial regeneration.
Benefits of PRK:
Ideal for patients with thin corneas who aren’t candidates for LASIK
No risk of corneal flap complications since no flap is created
Excellent long-term stability and vision outcomes
Suitable for patients in high-risk occupations or those who play contact sports
Lower risk of certain complications like corneal scarring in specific patient populations
Who Should Consider PRK? PRK is particularly beneficial for patients who wear contact lenses but have thin corneas, those with jobs or hobbies that involve potential eye trauma, or patients who have been advised against LASIK for other reasons. Military personnel, athletes, and individuals in certain professions often choose PRK for its safety profile.
Recovery and Expectations: PRK recovery takes longer than LASIK, typically 3-5 days for initial healing and several weeks for optimal vision. During this time, you’ll use eye drops to manage discomfort and promote healing. While the recovery period is longer, the final visual outcomes are comparable to LASIK, with most patients achieving excellent distance vision and reduced dependence on corrective lenses.
Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) represents the latest advancement in laser vision correction technology. This innovative procedure uses a femtosecond laser to create and remove a small piece of corneal tissue (called a lenticule) through a tiny incision, reshaping the cornea to correct refractive errors without creating a large corneal flap.
How SMILE Works: The SMILE procedure uses only a femtosecond laser to create a precise lenticule within the corneal stroma. This lenticule is then removed through a small 2-4mm incision, effectively reshaping the cornea to correct your vision problems. The small incision heals quickly and maintains more of the cornea’s structural integrity compared to traditional LASIK.
Advantages of SMILE:
Minimally invasive with a smaller incision than LASIK
Reduced risk of dry eye symptoms after surgery
Less disruption to corneal nerves, promoting faster healing
Excellent for patients with higher degrees of myopia
Lower risk of biomechanical weakness in the cornea
Quick recovery with minimal discomfort
Ideal Candidates for SMILE: SMILE is particularly well-suited for patients with moderate to high myopia, those concerned about dry eye symptoms, or individuals who prefer the most minimally invasive option available. The procedure is especially beneficial for patients who wear contact lenses regularly and want to reduce their dependence on corrective lenses with minimal recovery time.
SMILE Recovery Process: Recovery from SMILE is typically comfortable, with most patients experiencing clearer vision within 24-48 hours. The small incision heals quickly, and the risk of complications is very low. You’ll use prescribed eye drops during the healing process and attend follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and ensure optimal results.
Each type of laser eye surgery offers unique advantages, and the best choice depends on your individual eye characteristics, lifestyle, and vision goals. Understanding the differences between LASIK, PRK, and SMILE can help you make an informed decision with guidance from our experienced team.
Factors We Consider:
Your corneal thickness and shape
The degree of your refractive errors
Whether you currently wear glasses or contact lenses regularly
Your occupation and lifestyle activities
Your healing characteristics and medical history
Your expectations for vision correction outcomes
Recovery Time Comparison: LASIK and SMILE typically offer the fastest visual recovery, with most patients seeing clearly within 24-48 hours. PRK requires a longer initial healing period but offers excellent long-term results. All procedures can significantly reduce or eliminate your need for corrective lenses, though some patients may still need glasses for specific activities like reading in dim light.
Long-term Results: All three procedures have excellent long-term success rates when performed on appropriate candidates. While some patients may experience minor residual refractive errors, the vast majority achieve their vision goals and enjoy freedom from daily dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
Once you’ve been confirmed as a candidate and chosen your procedure, preparing for your laser refractive surgery is straightforward. Proper preparation helps ensure optimal results and a smooth recovery process.
Pre-Surgery Requirements:
Discontinue contact lens use for the recommended period before surgery (typically 1-2 weeks for soft lenses, longer for hard lenses)
Avoid using eye makeup, lotions, or creams on the day of your procedure
Arrange for transportation, as you won’t be able to drive immediately after surgery
Follow all pre-surgery instructions provided by your eye surgeon
Attend all pre-operative appointments for final measurements and evaluations
Your surgeon will also discuss aftercare in detail, including post-surgery recovery expectations, the importance of using prescribed eye drops, follow-up visit schedules, and what to expect during the healing process. Understanding these aspects helps you set realistic expectations and ensures the best possible outcome from your laser vision correction.
After laser refractive surgery, most patients experience a significant improvement in vision within 24 to 48 hours. While healing time varies depending on the procedure chosen, the majority of patients return to their normal activities quickly with minimal downtime and enjoy their newfound visual freedom.
Post-Surgery Expectations:
Mild dryness and light sensitivity for a few weeks, managed with prescribed eye drops
Vision fluctuations that gradually stabilize over the first few months
Dramatically reduced dependence on glasses or contact lenses for daily activities
Improved quality of life and convenience in sports, travel, and daily activities
Long-term Vision Care: With proper post-surgery care and regular follow-up appointments, your vision can continue to improve and stabilize. Most patients maintain their corrected vision for many years, though normal age-related changes may eventually affect near vision. Some patients may need reading glasses as they age, but their distance vision typically remains clear and stable.
Regular eye exams remain important even after successful laser eye surgery to monitor your overall eye health and detect any changes early. While complications from laser vision correction are rare, ongoing care ensures the best long-term outcomes for your vision and eye health.
At Karns Vision Center, we provide expert consultations to help you make an informed decision about your vision care. Our comprehensive evaluation includes detailed measurements, a thorough discussion of your options, and realistic expectations for your specific situation.
During your consultation, we’ll determine if you’re a candidate for LASIK, PRK, SMILE, or another vision correction option. Don’t let dependence on corrective lenses limit your lifestyle any longer. Contact us today to schedule your laser eye surgery consultation and take the first step toward clearer, more convenient vision.
📍 Location: 7686 Oak Ridge Highway, Knoxville, TN 37931
📞 Call us at: 865-247-7715
📅 Book your consultation today!
