Following are questions I frequently hear from patients at our Nashville office. Please feel free to call us for additional details or for a consultation. We welcome your inquiries and want all patients to be well informed and comfortable throughout the treatment process.

Q: Which procedures are covered under my health insurance or Flex plan?
A: Procedures considered “elective” are usually not covered under your health insurance. However, Flex plans typically cover most of our services. We will be happy to check with your insurance carrier or Flex plan to help determine what they will pay. We also have financing through Care Credit, which offers interest-free options.

Q: Does LASIK surgery hurt?
A: The surgery itself is painless. There are no needles, instead anesthetic drops numb the eyes during the procedure and if needed you will be given something to help you relax. After surgery, patients go home, relax for the rest of the evening and then usually return to their normal routine the next day. When I ask about their comfort level, most say they couldn’t believe how easy the whole experience was. Others feel some eye irritation, such as a foreign body sensation and itching for 12 to 24 hours. If you are concerned about pain, we can provide a prescription for pain relief.

Q: How long does LASIK surgery take?
A: The actual laser treatment lasts between 30 – 90 seconds. The advantage this offers is increased comfort for you during treatment, as well as quicker healing times and better post operative results.

Q: Are there risks involved in having LASIK surgery?
A: Any surgery involves risks, however LASIK is the most common elective surgery in the country and very safe. When you come in for your consultation, we will review the risks involved.

Q: What if my eyes change after surgery?
A: You would need to make an appointment with me to determine the best option. This could include a LASIK touch-up enhancement, corrective contacts or glasses, or other possible surgical and non-surgical solutions.

Q: Can I wear contact lenses after having LASIK surgery?
A: Yes, but it is unlikely that you will need to wear contacts. The lasers we use were selected for their ability to deliver vision beyond what you can achieve with glasses or contacts. Occasionally corrections are needed for certain part-time activities, in these cases glasses are usually chosen.

Q: How much experience do you have?
A: I’ve specialized in refractive eye surgery since 1994; I was an assistant clinical professor of ophthalmology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for eight years and I am frequently chosen as a clinical investigator for new vision correction treatments.

Q: How thorough is your pretreatment plan?
A: I believe extensive screening before treatment is crucial to gaining excellent outcomes. By considering all information about your eyes, we are able to make a very specific vision correction recommendation. I take a conservative approach, if there is doubt in my mind about a procedure being right for you, I will not treat you until something more appropriate for you comes along. The need for optimal screening is one of the reasons why we provide free Wavefront analysis to patients before they make any commitments to us.

Q: What if I’m not a candidate for laser surgery?
A: There are many new options for people who have been told they are not candidates for LASIK. First of all, if it’s been more than a year since you were evaluated, or you were seen elsewhere, you need a free evaluation at Vision for Life to learn about other excellent new choices. I am certified for every lens implant and multifocal IOL on the market. One of these may be right for you. The multifocal IOL is ideal for many people over 45 and those who need cataract surgery. You can learn more on the Lens Replacement page. Lens implants are typically for those who are very nearsighted or have thin corneas. You can learn more on the Phakic Lens page.

Q: What’s the difference between lens implants and lens replacement?
A: A lens implant is placed in front of the natural lens of the eye and is used to enhance its focal power. A lens replacement actually replaces the natural lens. Newer lens replacements called multifocal IOL’s allow the eye to focus at varying distances, something older lens replacements couldn’t do.

Q: Does Medicare cover the new multifocal IOL’s for cataract patients?
A: Medicare covers the cost of the traditional cataract lens replacement with the option of paying out of pocket for the difference in cost if you choose a newer multifocal IOL to help eliminate the need for reading glasses.

Q: Why should I trust my vision to Vision for Life?
A: When I founded Vision for Life, I made the decision to make this a top refractive surgical center of excellence. Everything from the climate-controlled surgical suite, to the latest and best technology is here to deliver the vision you’ve been waiting for. Because my specialty is refractive surgery, I do more of it than most ophthalmologists. My experience gives you an advantage before surgery, when we are determining the best procedure to meet your needs, and during surgery, when skill and precision matter the most. You’re going to count on your precious vision for the rest of your life. You deserve the excellence and attention to detail that you’ll find here.