Frequently Asked Questions

During your consultation, you will have the opportunity to spend ample time with an optometrist and counselor who can provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision regarding your treatment.

These are some of the more frequently asked questions from previous patients.

Q. Will I be a good candidate for laser eye treatment?

A. For the best possible results, we are able to treat most people over 18 years of age who have had a stable prescription for 12 months. A consultation with an Optical Express optometrist will determine your suitability for treatment based on your personal prescription, lifestyle, and expectations.

Q. Why is laser vision correction less expensive at Optical Express than at many of its competitors?

A. Since Optical Express is a world leader in laser eye treatment, we benefit from economies of scale and in turn pass that savings on to you. Other providers must charge more to make up for their lower volume. Furthermore, Optical Express employs optometrists and surgeons instead of having to refer our patients elsewhere.

Q. Will I ever need glasses again?

A. Fewer than 1 in 1,000 patients require glasses for distance after laser vision correction. The majority of those who do require them only for specific tasks. However, as we grow older a condition called presbyopia usually develops, and most people will eventually require reading glasses, whether they have treatment or not. However, new treatments that may eliminate the need for reading glasses are currently undergoing clinical trials.

Q. Does Optical Express offer patient financing?

A. Yes. At Optical Express, we try to make laser vision correction affordable for every patient. We are committed to preventing finances from becoming a barrier to laser vision correction. We offer 0% financing and interest-bearing payment plans to help make laser vision correction more affordable for you. These will be explained further during your consultation.

Q. Will I see better after having WaveFront™ laser eye treatment?

A. Yes, WaveFront™ most often delivers improved visual results when compared to standard laser eye treatments or conventional glasses and contact lenses. 100% of study participants in an FDA clinical trial could see well enough after WaveFront™ to drive a car legally without glasses or contact lenses.

Q. Can I have laser eye treatment on both eyes at the same time?

A. With LASIK and PRK, both eyes are normally treated at the same time.

Q. Do I need to leave my contact lenses out prior to laser eye treatment?

A. Yes. Depending on the type of lenses you wear, you will need to leave them out (and wear glasses) prior to consultation / laser eye treatment. Contact lenses may distort the cornea and lead to inaccurate measurements and treatments.

Q. Will I experience discomfort during or after treatment?

A. We use anesthetic eye drops that completely numb your eye so you remain comfortable throughout the treatment. After LASIK treatment, patients may feel some grittiness, light sensitivity, and watering for a short while. With PRK treatment, you may feel some mild discomfort after the treatment, potentially in the first 24-48 hours.

Q. What if I close or move my eye during my laser eye treatment?

A. Drops are used to eliminate the blink reflex, and an eyelid holder keeps your eye open. There is a very sophisticated eye tracker which follows your eye as it moves during your treatment. If your eye moves out of line, the laser tracks the slightest of movements and stops pulsing.

Q. How much can I expect my vision to improve?

A. The final result depends on your original prescription. Although we are unable to guarantee you 20/20 vision, we can reasonably predict outcomes based on the original levels of prescription.

Q. What if I am not a good candidate for laser eye treatment?

A. The vast majority of patients who want freedom from their glasses and contact lenses consider laser vision correction. However, not everyone is a good candidate for such treatment, and fortunately for a lot of them there are—or soon will be—alternatives. Ask your Optical Express optometrist if there are any alternatives available to you. We offer a free consultation, advice and treatment on a wide range of conditions, with particular expertise in:

Implantable Contact Lens
Phakic Intra Ocular Lens
Cataract Surgery
Refractive Lens Exchange

An in-depth consultation with an optometrist is required to determine if these proven alternative procedures will help your vision. They will determine and explain the procedure which is best suited to your needs and answer all of your questions to enable you to make an informed decision.

Q. When will I be able to drive and return to work?

A. LASIK has a faster visual recovery time, with nearly all patients noticing a marked improvement the same day. Most people are able to drive and return to work within 48 hours unless their work environment is very dusty or dirty. Recovery following PRK treatment can take up to 4-7 days.

Q. Is the procedure safe?

A. Yes. However, all laser eye treatments are classed as surgical procedures and as such carry some degree of risk, although minimal.

As a medical procedure, laser eye treatment has a very low complication rate—less than 1%. The vast majority of these complications are minor. The procedures have undergone extensive scrutiny from public health agencies and the medical health profession and, after more than a decade of research, complications significantly affecting vision are extremely rare. Your optometrist and counselor will discuss any potential complications with you.

Q. Are all lasers the same?

A. No. Unlike other laser eye treatment providers, Optical Express uses only the most technologically advanced laser, the VISX S4IR™, delivering the safest and most precise results.