WHETHER OR NOT I AM A CANDIDATE? We offer a FREE LVC evaluation at our East Beltline location where extensive testing will be performed to determine whether you are a candidate. Grand Rapids Ophthalmology staff members can determine whether or not your prescription falls within the guidelines that the FDA allows us to correct prior to scheduling a full evaluation. We also offer a FREE Custom BLADE-FREE LASIK seminar once per month. During the seminar we show a Power Point presentation, have a surgeon on hand to answer questions, and show a video of a LASIK procedure, which is optional. We also have staff members available to read your glasses to determine whether or not your prescription falls within the FDA approved guidelines. - TOP

IS THERE A CHARGE FOR THE EVALUATION? The evaluations are performed at no charge.* This is a very extensive exam. We are checking the general health of your eye as well as performing other tests for LVC. Included in the exam are a manifest and cycloplegic refraction, K-readings, wave scan testing, schirmer (tear test), topography or orbscan (corneal mapping), pachymetry (corneal thickness), a consent video, along with a true/false test, and a surgeon evaluation including results, questions, risks, benefits and options. The Laser Vision Evaluation is no charge unless you request a copy of your glasses prescription, then a $150.00 evaluation fee applies. - TOP

WHAT IF I WEAR CONTACT LENSES? If you wear soft contacts, you must discontinue them completely 7 days prior to an LVC evaluation. If you wear hard or gas permeable contacts, you must discontinue them 3 weeks prior to an LVC evaluation. You must be in glasses the entire said amount of time to assure the cornea is in its most natural state. (Contacts tend to artificially shape the cornea). We do not want to do any correction unless the information we get from the evaluation is completely accurate. If you do not have glasses to wear to get you through to the evaluation and surgery, we may be able of offer some assistance through our optical shops. - TOP

DOES INSURANCE COVER LASER VISION CORRECTON? LVC procedures are considered elective or cosmetic. There are several insurance companies that have paid a portion of the procedure so we recommend that you check with your insurance company. Generally it is not covered unless medically necessary. - TOP

DO YOU OFFER FINANCING OR HAVE A PAYMENT PLAN? We offer $0 down and 0% interest for up to 18 months through Unicorn Financial. The application process is quick and easy. See our Financing page for additional information. Payment for the procedure is due on the day that the ophthalmologist performs your evaluation and you are scheduled. - TOP

WHICH DR. HAS THE MOST EXPERIENCE OR HAS DONE THE MOST PROCEDURES? The laser procedures were approved by the FDA in the United States in 1995. Grand Rapids Ophthalmology received our laser in the spring of 1996. Our LASIK surgeons began performing these procedures at approximately the same time. We are proud to offer the gold standard, the VISX Star S-4 SmoothScan ActiveTrak IR with Custom BLADE-FREE technology, ensuring safer, more precise and predictable outcomes. With this level of exactness, many more people qualify to have the LASIK procedure; even those who were not candidates in the past. At Grand Rapids Ophthalmology we have performed more than 15,000 procedures on patients from around the world.. - TOP

CAN I GIVE MY CURRENT GLASSES PRESCRIPTION AND FIND OUT WHETHER OR NOT I AM A CANDIDATE? We offer a FREE LASIK evaluation at our East Beltline location. You may present your glasses or your glasses prescription to any staff member at any of our 7 locations to determine whether or not your prescription falls within the guidelines the FDA allows us to correct. We also offer a FREE LVC seminar once a month. - TOP

HOW LONG WILL I BE OFF WORK? We recommend you plan to be off work the day of your procedure and the following day. Patients generally resume their normal activity the day after the procedure as long as it is not extremely strenuous or heavy lifting. It is important not to go swimming or go in a hot tub for two weeks following the procedure. PRK patients should plan for a week off. Please plan for a 1 day post operative appointment the day following your procedure. This appointment usually takes 20 - 30 minutes. Some patients may be seeing well enough to drive themselves into the 1 day post operative appointment and some may also return to work the day after procedure. Healing time varies from patient to patient and eye to eye. - TOP

DOES IT HURT? Patients may experience some discomfort during the first 4-6 hours after the procedure similar to a sandy feeling in the eye. These feelings of discomfort may include tearing, burning, foreign body sensation, light sensitivity and fluctuating vision. Our patients are told to go home and sleep because the eye heals as it is closed. Upon waking, most patients resume normal activity. - TOP

WHAT LASER DO YOU USE? Grand Rapids Ophthalmology uses the # 1 laser chosen by the majority of laser doctors in the United States: The VISX Star S4TM Smoothscan Laser with ActiveTrak® and Iris Registration. The CustomVue procedure offers a custom treatment for your unique eyes. The Intralase Laser creates the flap so it is Blade- Free, providing the most precise, predictable and safe procedure for your eyes. - TOP