Procedures: Best LASIK Eye Surgery Los Angeles

How does LASIK correct poor vision?

LASIK (which stands for “Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis") is the most performed laser eye surgery in the United States. It can correct the focusing power of your eyes via a very experienced surgeon and a highly specialized laser.

This dynamic duo properly reshapes the cornea so it can focus light more precisely onto the retina, allowing you to see more clearly. When performed by the best LASIK surgeons, a patient’s vision often becomes even better than 20/20! And certainly better than they could see with their glasses or contact lenses.

Does LASIK eye surgery correct different types of vision problems?

Absolutely. There are several FDA-approved LASIK laser procedures designed to address different vision issues caused by variations in the shape and surface of the cornea. These variations cause one or more of the following refractive errors:

• Nearsightedness (myopia): when you can't see far objects clearly
• Farsightedness (hyperopia): where you can't see near objects clearly
• Astigmatism: when everything is slightly blurry)

All LASIK procedures involve two important steps to reshape the cornea:

1. The first step is the creation of a thin flap from the outermost corneal layer. This flap is hinged (anchored) on one side so that it can be folded back. This allows access to the underlying tissue (where the sculpting takes place).
2. The next step involves using laser energy to sculpt the newly exposed corneal tissue. This is done according to a treatment plan designed to improve its light-refracting (focusing) ability.

For those who have age-related eye conditions in addition to refractive errors, LASIK may still vastly improve their vision. Then they may only require glasses from time to time for distance or reading.

Are all LASIK Surgeries the same?

Absolutely not. LASIK was originally developed 30 years ago. AEI's own Dr. Kerry Assil was a pioneer in the early development of LASIK technology and continues to contribute to revolutionizing the LASIK field today. Over the years there have been dozens of surgical techniques developed for performing LASIK. As expected, with the advancements in technology, many have been deprecated and no longer performed with new ones coming to the fore.

Some of the common types of LASIK surgery performed over the years include:

• Basic LASIK with Keratome Blade (1st Generation procedure)
• Standard Bladeless LASIK (2nd Generation procedure)
• ContouraVision™ topography-guided LASIK (3rd Generation procedure)
• SMILE LASIK (3rd Generation procedure)

• Advanced Bladeless LASIK (3rd Generation procedure)

• iDesign™ LASIK (4th Generation procedure)
• EagleVision®️ LASIK (5th Generation procedure)

Today, there are no less than six significant surgical techniques. Some were created strictly to be more cost-effective, which are found at the "chain style" LASIK businesses. Others were developed to create even better post-surgical vision. And still, others to minimize the side-effects of LASIK.

One, in particular, EagleVision®️ was created to offer the potential for the most perfect individualized results possible, while further reducing the side-effects.

Learn more about the five generations of LASIK technologies.

What makes EAGLE VISION®️ LASIK surgery the gold standard?

Today, the gold standard in advanced LASIK surgery is a trademarked protocol developed by Dr. Assil known as EagleVision®️ (which stands for “Elliptical flap Aberrometry Guided Laser Enhanced Vision”).

We combine leading-edge technology with advanced surgical techniques to provide a unique approach to flap creation and corneal sculpting. This protocol enables us to safely correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, while also improving night and reading vision, achieving excellent visual outcomes.

With EagleVision®️, our experience has shown four main advantages: 

1. Ergonomic flap design offers a larger treatment area, added protection against eye injury, and quicker healing
2. EagleVision®️ achieves sharper post-op visual acuity than other LASIK technologies
3. EagleVision®️ has a lower incidence of post-op dry eye findings
4. EagleVision®️ achieves greater flap stability versus other LASIK surgeries

Learn more about how EagleVision®️ LASIK works

What’s the recovery from a LASIK procedure like?  

After 30 minutes, when your anesthesia wears off, you may feel mild eye irritation, burning, itching, tearing, and light sensitivity. Don't worry, this will only last for a couple of hours. Most patients are typically comfortable enough to return to work the next day.

It is very important that you don't rub your eyes. It takes one week after surgery for the corneal flap to fully heal and rubbing can disrupt it. You will be given antibiotic eye drops, steroid eye drops, and lubricating eye drops.  It’s important to take your medications as instructed throughout your recovery. 

In most cases, you'll begin to see more clearly right away. Some patients may experience a moderate amount of blurred vision as if they are looking underwater. This will usually clear up within a day or two. You will be asked to return to our clinic on the day after your surgery. That way your surgeon can check up on your early healing progress.

 Learn more about LASIK surgery recovery here.

How do I pick the best LASIK surgeon near me in Los Angeles?

This is probably the most important question each patient needs to answer while choosing the best surgeon for themselves. At Assil Eye Institute, we pride ourselves on offering the most advanced surgical techniques and state-of-the-art LASIK technology. This is to provide our patients with the safest, most effective procedure designed to optimize their experience and visual outcomes.

Equally important is a patient's post-LASIK follow-up care. Though problems are very rare with our patients, it is critically important to catch and address any issues in the most expedient fashion.  

Assil Eye Institute (AEI) is well known for performing the best LAISK surgery in Los Angeles. The AEI team is composed of the finest ophthalmology specialists in the United States. Led by Dr. Kerry Assil, voted best LASIK eye surgeon in Los Angeles five years in a row by Los Angeles Magazine.

Dr. Assil has spent over 20 years experimenting and developing LASIK laser vision correction technology. His experience includes being involved in countless clinical trials, as well as serving as an ophthalmologist medical advisor for laser technology manufacturers.

LASIK FAQs

Q: What type of laser is used at AEI to perform LASIK?

Dr. Assil and AEI have had extensive experience using and developing LASIK laser technology for well over 20 years. This has included being involved with numerous clinical trials in addition to serving as a medical advisor for several laser manufacturers.

After working with many lasers, Dr. Assil has selected the VISX Star S4 Excimer Laser System to be his tool of choice for corneal sculpting. In fact, AEI is the only Los Angeles area ophthalmology practice with two LASIK surgical suites outfitted with a VISX Star S4 to offer the most advanced technology coupled with the greatest reliability to our patients.

Advantages of the VISX Star S4 laser include:

• • • A safety feature is called Iris Registration in which the laser takes photos of your iris (the colored part of your eye) that it uses to ensure that the laser remains properly aligned to your eye as it sculpts. This feature also ensures that there’s no possibility of treating the wrong eye or the wrong patient.

    • A second safety feature tracks eye movement during surgery so that the laser's accuracy is not affected if you move or blink during your vision correction procedure.

Q: Is LASIK painful?

No. Lasik surgery is performed with numbing eye drops so that you don't feel discomfort.

We can also give you medication to help you relax while remaining awake throughout the process. The LASIK laser sculpting time is generally less than 60 seconds per eye and our patients are typically in the laser suite for less than 20 minutes. Our patients usually experience a couple of hours of mild eye irritation following surgery but are typically comfortable enough to easily return to work the next day.

Our patients report that LASIK surgery was the best decision they've made and they finally have clear vision for the first time in years.

Q: Am I a good candidate for LASIK?

Certain eye or general health conditions can make LASIK’s outcome less predictable. Our doctors will perform a thorough eye exam and may not recommend LASIK surgery if you have certain conditions including corneal stretching disorders, severe dry eye syndrome, deep corneal scars, untreated cataracts, progressive retinal disease, or other conditions.

During your evaluation, we will ask the following questions to determine if you qualify for LASIK:

1) Has your vision prescription changed in the past year?

If your vision has changed greatly within the last 12 months, then it may be advisable to wait before undergoing LASIK surgery, because if your vision continues to change, you might have to repeat the procedure. We have found that after LASIK, our patients typically maintain stable vision for many years.

2) How high is your vision prescription?

If you are extremely nearsighted or farsighted (for example, if your prescription is -12 diopters or greater), you might not be a good candidate for LASIK. This does not mean that there aren't other vision correction options available! At AEI, we offer other effective solutions for such cases. After reviewing your particular circumstances, your LASIK surgeon and eye doctor can make specific recommendations tailored just for you.

3) Do you have any health conditions, eye disease, or vision problems?

If you suffer from severe dry eye syndrome and are currently under treatment for it, you may not be a good candidate for LASIK. Occasionally LASIK can worsen dry eye symptoms.

If you currently have an eye infection, you must be treated for it and wait for the infection to clear before LASIK can be performed. Unstable vision due to medications, hormonal changes, pregnancy, or other health conditions can also increase side effects from LASIK.

4) Are you in good general health?

People with severe immune illnesses with ocular manifestations, such as type 1 diabetes with active retinal disease, are generally not suitable candidates for LASIK.

5) Do you have a very thin cornea?

Corneal thickness is another important consideration because we wish to ensure a residual (post sculpting) corneal thickness that will not be prone to progressive shape changes. If you have been told that your corneas are very thin, you might be a more appropriate candidate for another vision correction procedure known as PRK or LASEK

Q: I was told years ago that I was not a LASIK candidate. Is that still true?

LASIK technology has evolved significantly over the years and many people who were considered ineligible for LASIK 10 or 20 years ago may easily qualify for it today.

If you are not considered a good LASIK candidate, the good news is that at AEI, our eye surgeons also perform a variety of other vision correction procedures, including;

• • • • Phakic IOL (ICL and Verisyse)
      • Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
      • LASEK (Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy)
      • PRK (Photo-refractive Keratectomy)

      • Corneal Inlays

Q. How much does LASIK cost?

We know that cost of LASIK plays a major role in considering eye surgery. Being the most experienced eye institute in Los Angeles, many people look to Assil Eye Institute for a reliable range of costs for eye care and vision enhancement procedures. Learn more about pricing and financing options here.

Ready to consider LASIK? You owe it to yourself to talk with the experts at AEI

Our nationally recognized ophthalmologists are expertly trained in LASIK, retinal, and cataract surgery. State-of-the-art treatments for all eye conditions including glaucoma, macular disease, dry eye, and diabetic eye conditions, to name just a few. Services are available at our Beverly Hills and Santa Monica eye centers.

We welcome you to request your free consultation. We will closely examine your eyes and tell you if you and your lifestyle are good candidates for LASIK. We will also explain how we perform the surgery and answer all of your questions.

Please call us at (866) 945-2745 or click here to request an appointment or fill out our short LASIK questionnaire.