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LASIK Specialist

Berkeley Heights Eye Group

Ophthalmologists located in New Providence, NJ

LASIK surgery has helped millions of people who were previously dependent on contact lenses or glasses since its inception in 1995. At Berkeley Heights Eye Group, located in New Providence, New Jersey, Todd Leventhal, MD, and his team work with their patients to figure out whether LASIK can help correct their vision. To learn more about the pros and cons of LASIK surgery, call the office today or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment.

LASIK Q&A

What does LASIK correct?

LASIK is an acronym that stands for laser-assisted in-situ keratomileuses. It's a corrective procedure that's designed to reduce your dependency on corrective lenses, like glasses or contact lenses.

During this procedure, your provider surgically changes the shape of your cornea with a laser to help your eyes refract light onto your retina more efficiently. 

LASIK can be used to correct several issues, including:

Nearsightedness, or myopia

Your cornea focuses light in front of your retina instead of on it, resulting in problems with distance vision.

Farsightedness, or hyperopia

Your cornea focuses light beyond your retina, which hampers your ability to see objects near you.

Astigmatism

A condition in which your cornea is misshapen, causing light to refract unevenly on your retina. There are varying degrees of astigmatism, which can lead to blurry or distorted vision.

How is LASIK performed?

During a LASIK procedure, Dr. Leventhal starts by putting drops onto your eyes to anesthetize them.

Once you're comfortable, the surgeon uses a laser to create a thin flap in your corneal tissue. After peeling it back, the surgeon uses another laser to reshape your corneal tissue. Once they're satisfied with the new shape, the surgeon replaces the flap.

LASIK is incredibly quick and usually takes less than 15 minutes. As an outpatient procedure, you're free to go home afterward, equipped with drops that you should place in your eyes for about a week after the procedure.

You may experience some degree of discomfort in your eyes, and your vision may be blurry, but this usually subsides quickly. In fact, you may be able to see more clearly the day after your LASIK procedure in some cases.

How do I know whether LASIK is right for me?

At Berkeley Heights Eye Group, Dr. Leventhal takes the time to discuss the pros and cons of LASIK with you to ensure you fully understand the procedure.

By and large, LASIK is very safe and carries an impressive 96% success rate in improving vision, but every surgery has risks. Dr. Leventhal makes sure you understand these risks and also discourages patients from undergoing LASIK if they fall under the following categories:

  • Younger than 20
  • Have diabetes
  • Are pregnant
  • Taking medications that affect vision
  • Participate in contact sports

If you feel that LASIK is a good option, Dr. Leventhal consults with you and carries out your LASIK surgery. 


To find out whether LASIK is right for you, call Berkeley Heights Eye Group, or use the online scheduler to book an appointment today.