Texan Eye
Austin, Texas (512)327-7000
(800)252-2020
Envision Freedom from Your Contacts & Glasses
All About LASIK

Laser Vision Correction in Austin - LASIK and ASA

Over the last decade, laser vision correction with LASIK and ASA has helped more than 16 million people worldwide see without glasses or contact lenses. Thanks to new advances in laser technology, LASIK and ASA now offer a solution for patients with myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.

LASIK eye surgery photo

At Texan Eye, our eye surgeons are known for achieving excellent results with LASIK and ASA. In fact, when Austin eye doctors have surgery on their own eyes, the overwhelming majority of them choose our surgeons. If you are considering laser vision correction, please read the information featured on this page and contact Texan Eye today for a Refractive Surgery Consultation, or a complimentary LASIK / ASA Screening.

Overview of LASIK

LASIK, or laser in-situ keratomileusis, is a procedure designed to correct refractive error (myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism) by permanently reshaping the tissue of the cornea.

LASIK surgery involves two steps:

  1. The creation of a corneal flap - During LASIK eye surgery, the surgeon uses a laser or a special device ( the Hansatome microkeratome) to create a thin flap of corneal tissue, which is then folded back to allow access to the underlying tissue.
  2. Tissue reshaping - The surgeon then relies on the "cool" light from an excimer laser to reshape corneal tissue, making the cornea flatter, steeper, or more spherical for better focusing power.

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Overview of ASA

Invented in the 1980s, PRK was the first laser vision correction procedure approved by the FDA for the treatment of myopia. ASA (Advanced Surface Ablation) is a highly upgraded form of PRK, and refers to the treatment of the surface of the eye using advanced eye tracking Wavefront™ guided excimer lasers.

ASA is approved for the treatment of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, and is an excellent alternative to LASIK for many patients who are not candidates for LASIK due to the shape of their eyes. ASA does not require the creation of a corneal flap. Instead, the superficial layer of cells on the cornea are gently removed, and the laser is applied to reshape the surface of the cornea. The entire procedure is quick, and with eye drops, there is only mild discomfort after the surgery. As with LASIK, most patients who undergo laser vision correction with ASA will achieve 20/20 vision or better.

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IntraLase® "All-Laser" LASIK

Texan Eye offers "all-laser" LASIK using the IntraLase® laser. During all-laser LASIK, the surgeon creates the corneal flap with the computer-guided IntraLase® laser rather than the traditional microkeratome. The IntraLase® is first programmed with each individual's unique eye measurements to produce a corneal flap of the desired depth and diameter. After the flap has been created, the excimer laser is then applied to quickly reshape the cornea.

While the microkeratome is considered an extremely safe and effective tool for the creation of the corneal flap, the IntraLase® laser provides a degree of accuracy in flap creation that is unparalleled. In addition, many patients prefer the peace of mind of an all-laser procedure. While excellent results can be achieved with both a traditional microkeratome and with the IntraLase®, some studies have demonstrated that certain patients can even achieve better vision with an all-laser procedure using the IntraLase®. The decision regarding the best option for you should be made in consultation with one of our board-certified eye surgeons.

To find out if the IntraLase® is right for you, please contact Texan Eye to schedule an all-laser LASIK screening at one of our Austin area eye centers.

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Candidates for Laser Vision Correction

Refractive surgery of any kind requires healthy eyes. First and foremost, laser vision correction candidates must undergo a thorough eye examination to rule out any ocular conditions, such as retinal or corneal problems. If your eyes are in good health, you are over the age of 18, and you have stable vision, visit our Austin eye centers for a complimentary LASIK / ASA Screening.

It is important to keep in mind that LASIK and ASA are not the only options for correcting your vision problems. For some patients, lens implants provide the best solution. The best way to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for you is to schedule a Refractive Surgery Consultation at our Austin LASIK surgery center.

Visit our eye conditions page for more information about conditions treated with LASIK and ASA vision correction.

Register for a Free LASIK / ASA Screening!

We offer free LASIK / ASA Screenings at our offices in Austin on 1700 South Mopac and 5717 Balcones Drive. These screenings are designed to inform and prepare you for your Refractive Surgery Consultation, and allow you to interact with our doctors one-on-one.

If you are interested in a free LASIK / ASA Screening , please contact Texan Eye today. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you at your convenience.

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Before LASIK or ASA

If you are considering refractive surgery, visit one of our Austin eye centers for a complimentary LASIK / ASA Screening. At this time, your doctor will take preliminary measurements, answer your individual questions about laser eye surgery and discuss LASIK financing.

Your next appointment will be the Refractive Surgery Consultation. This consultation gives our surgeons an opportunity to perform an in-depth eye examination to determine that you are a candidate for LASIK or ASA eye surgery. Your surgeon will look for any eye abnormalities that would preclude laser vision correction and also re-measure your eyes.

It is important that you discontinue the use of soft contact lenses for two to three weeks prior to this appointment (hard lenses call for one month per decade of wear), as contact lenses do tend to change the shape of your cornea, and we want to make sure that your measurements are as accurate as possible prior to surgery. During this consultation, your surgeon will make a final recommendation for treatment.

*The Day of Your Surgery*

Some points to keep in mind on the day of your LASIK surgery:

  • From start to finish, your entire stay at the surgery center will be approximately one to two hours. Try to get some rest the night before. Remember, it’s perfectly normal to be nervous the day of the procedure.
  • Please wear comfortable clothing and do not apply makeup the day of the surgery.
  • There are no food and drink restrictions prior to LASIK or ASA, but please refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages or taking any medications that will make you drowsy.
  • Arrange transportation. If you cannot find anyone to drive you home following surgery, we will be happy to make arrangements on your behalf.

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The Surgery

LASIK and ASA generally take five to fifteen minutes per eye. The staff at the surgery center will explain the surgery to you step by step. You can be confident that your eye surgeon will make you aware of everything that’s happening during every step.

Prior to LASIK or ASA eye surgery, your eyes will be numbed with anesthetic drops. These drops are designed to make your experience as comfortable as possible. There are NO shots or injections of any kind before, during, or after the procedure.

During the creation of the LASIK corneal flap, you will feel a slight pressure sensation. After the eye surgeon lifts the flap, you will be asked to focus carefully on a red light while the excimer laser reshapes your cornea. Keep in mind, the surgeon can stop the laser for any reason in just a fraction of a second. Slight movements of the eye during surgery are not uncommon, and will not cause any damage to the eye. Sophisticated eye tracking software allows the laser to follow and compensate for your eye movements during the procedure.

Once the cornea has been reshaped with the laser, the corneal flap is laid back over the eye, where it adheres naturally without the need for stitches. At this point your vision will be slightly blurry, but your focus will rapidly improve over the next few hours.

In contrast to LASIK, ASA requires no corneal flap. A bandage contact lens is worn in the days following surgery to allow corneal healing, and vision gradually improves over the next few weeks.

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After LASIK or ASA

Following treatment at the surgery center, patients can return home almost immediately. When you leave our office, you will be given detailed instructions about post-operative care and you will also be provided with special sunglasses to wear to protect your eyes. You will need to use eye drops for a designated period of time following your surgery. There are certain activities that should be avoided in the days following the surgery; your surgeon will discuss these with you prior to surgery. Eye makeup should not be worn for a period of time following LASIK and ASA, and patients should be careful to avoid getting shampoo or soap in their eyes while bathing or showering.

You will be examined the day after the procedure so one of our ophthalmologists or optometrists can check your progress.

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Results - What to Expect Following LASIK or ASA

For the vast majority of our Central Texas and Austin patients, LASIK and ASA are extremely successful at eliminating or reducing their dependence on glasses. That being said, LASIK and ASA produce different outcomes for different patients.

Studies show that the majority of patient undergoing Custom LASIK or Custom ASA achieve 20/20 vision or better following surgery. This translates into the ability to drive and enjoy life’s daily activities, without contact lenses or glasses and with visual sharpness and clarity. If you decide to undergo LASIK or ASA with one of our premier refractive surgeons, you can be confident that we will use the latest tools and techniques available to meet or exceed your expectations with surgery.

Find out why other doctors across the State of Texas choose the refractive surgeons at Texan Eye for their vision correction needs. Contact our Austin practice to schedule a comprehensive surgery consultation with one of our premier eye surgeons.

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Contact us for a consultation.

Contact Texan Eye - serving Austin, Georgetown, Bastrop, and Burnet - for more LASIK eye surgery and ASA information.







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