i-LASIK & Laser Eye Surgery

Many people in Southern Louisiana and Texas who are tired of wearing glasses or contact lenses seek the help of Dr. Falgoust, refractive surgeon, at Falgoust Eye Medical & Surgical. Refractive surgery improves vision by correcting refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. While not all patients, a significant percentage of patients enjoy uncorrected 20/20 vision or better after their procedure.

Refractive surgery is performed by Dr. Falgoust using an excimer laser in the form of PRK (photorefractive keratomeilusis) or LASIK (laser assisted in situ keratomielusis), the goal being to reshape the cornea to reduce the need for corrective lenses. LASIK has helped millions of people look beyond their glasses and contact lenses.

The LASIK Procedure

During the LASIK surgical procedure, Dr. Falgoust corrects your vision by reshaping the cornea (clear front part of the eye) with an excimer laser. The first step in the surgery is creation of a flap. This is a partial thickness flap of the cornea that is created in one of two ways. The traditional method uses a microkeratome – a small, sharpened blade.

After the flap is created, it is reflected back and the excimer laser is applied to reshape the cornea. After this step, the flap is put back in place without stitches and most people return to their normal activities within 24 hours with their vision corrected.

Wavescan technology is utilized to map even the tiniest imperfections of the cornea, and allows your surgeon to perform a customized treatment specifically for your eyes. Just like your fingerprint and DNA, the information fed into the laser is unique to your eyes only. Each of your eyes will receive its own custom laser procedure, with no two custom procedures in the world being identical. The excimer laser used is the VISX with CustomVue™ technology.

The i-LASIK Procedure

The iLasik procedure is the result of a decade’s worth of technical refinement. It combines all of the latest all-laser LASIK technology in one efficient procedure. This procedure is the first 100% vision correction method which is customized to an individual’s eye characteristics. It is performed with an FDA approved wave-front guided blade free laser for ultimate precision. The iLasik method provides a truly customized experience for patients seeking freedom from glasses or contact lenses.

i-LASIK is performed on an outpatient basis. Anesthetic eye drops are administered for comfort during the procedure, so you remain awake and comfortable. After the procedure is complete, patients are sent home to rest and begin the healing process.

Bladed LASIK has the advantage of being less expensive to perform and therefore can be offered at a lower fee. However, it is our goal to bring our patients at Falgoust Eye Medical & Surgical the best care available. We encourage our patients to be more concerned about the safety, outcomes, and technology rather than saving a few dollars for a lifetime of vision.

PRK vs LASIK

Photorefractive keratectomy was the first type of laser eye surgery for vision correction and is the predecessor to the popular LASIK procedure. Though PRK recovery takes a bit longer than recovery from LASIK eye surgery, PRK is still commonly performed and offers advantages over LASIK for some patients.

The main difference between PRK and LASIK is the first step of the procedures.

In LASIK, a thin flap is created on the cornea with a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser. This flap is lifted to expose the underlying corneal tissue and is replaced after the cornea is reshaped with an excimer laser.

In PRK, the thin outer layer of the cornea (epithelium) is removed and discarded prior to reshaping the underlying corneal tissue with an excimer laser. The epithelium repairs itself (grows back over the corneal surface) within a few days after surgery.

For more information about PRK procedure pros and cons, click here.

Isn’t LASIK It Expensive?

The number one question most patients would like to know is what the procedure will cost; It’s also the most common reason why a patient is hesitant to have their vision corrected. But for most patients, the procedure winds up being less costly than contact lenses in the long run! Click here for a link to a contact lens cost calculator. Just input your age and a little bit of information about your contacts lenses, and the contact lens cost calculator will tell you how soon the procedure is paying for itself. And all the while, you’re free from the hassles of contact lenses and glasses.

Schedule Your Consultation Today!

For any questions or to schedule a consultation, please complete the form below or simply call us at 337-477-0963. LASIK consultations can be scheduled at your convenience at Falgoust Eye Medical & Surgical. During a consultation visit, our staff will perform the tests needed for Dr. Falgoust to determine if you are a good candidate, and we will also be happy to answer any questions about LASIK that you may have.