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1. What is LASIK?

Laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is the most advanced FDA-approved refractive surgical technique. A flap
is made in the cornea with a microkeratome, and then folded back to expose the underlying tissue. A cool laser is used to
painlessly reshape the exposed cornea, and then the flap is put back in place.

2. What is PRK?

PRK stands for Photorefractive keratectomy and although PRK is performed less widely now than at the height of its popularity
several years ago, this procedure is recommended for patients who have thin corneas or certain conditions on the surface of the
eye that prevent the LASIK flap from being made.

3. What is Epi-LASIK?

Epi-LASIK is the latest refractive vision-correction method for patients with thin corneas, dry eyes or extreme nearsightedness.
Epi-LASIK procedure is performed in much the same manner as LASIK, using similar techniques. Like the other Laser Eye
Surgery surface ablation procedure, PRK, it attempts to merge the desirable features of LASIK and PRK. In this procedure, a
specially designed microkeratome like instrument is used to create a thin flap of corneal epithelium. It achieves this by gently
separating the epithelium from the underlying corneal layer without cutting . Epi-LASIK is similar to PRK in that it is a LASIK
Eye Surgery procedure that can be used for patients who have thin corneas and might not otherwise be good candidates for
ordinary LASIK.

4. How do LASIK, PRK and Epi-LASIK surgery differ?

Excimer lasers are used in each procedure. The main difference between the procedures is healing time. With LASIK, it
takes less than 24 hours to gain functional visual recovery and return to work, while Epi-LASIK has a visual recovery time
of 3-4 days and PRK 5-7 days. LASIK generally offers patients a minimal amount of discomfort, if any. With Epi-LASIK and
PRK, a thin soft bandage contact lens will be worn for several days after treatment to help with healing and minimize
discomfort. Whereas with PRK there may be moderate discomfort for 1-2 days, with Epi-LASIK it is should be even less, but
still not quite as comfortable as with ordinary LASIK. If you have any additional questions regarding Epi-LASIK or PRK, we
will be happy to answer them for you.

5. How long has LASIK been performed?

LASIK has been performed internationally for over two decades. It was first performed in clinical trials in the United
States since the early 1990s. Since then over 1 million LASIK procedures have been performed.

6. Who is a candidate for refractive surgery?

You are probably a good candidate for refractive surgery if you:
·    Are at least 21 years old.
·    Have a refractive error (farsightedness, nearsightedness or astigmatism) that can be corrected by refractive surgery.
·    Have a stable prescription for one year.

7. What is myopia?

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is the most common refractive error affecting one in four Americans or about 60 million
people. For nearsighted people, distant images are blurry. The condition exists when a misshapen cornea causes
converging light rays to focus in front of the retina, the nerve layer inside the eye, where light receptors are located.
Before refractive surgical techniques were developed, eyeglasses and contact lenses were the preferred method of
correcting nearsightedness.

8. What is astigmatism?

Astigmatism is when the cornea is shaped more like a football instead of a baseball. This results in light rays focusing on
two separate points inside the eye. Astigmatism can cause blur at distance and near.

9. What is Hyperopia?

Hyperopia is the medical term for farsightedness. This occurs when an eye is too short for the cornea's curvature. Light
rays entering the eye focus behind the retina, and as a result a blurred image is produced. The term ‘farsightedness’
means that you can see ‘far’ objects more clearly without your glasses, but objects close up may appear blurry or require
significant effort to focus. Some farsighted people under the age range of 35-45 can use their focusing muscles to 'pull'
the image forward onto the retina, allowing them to see clearly. However, due to the normal aging process, most cannot
overcome the effects of Hyperopia, especially in severe cases, and need reading glasses or bifocals.

10. What is monovision?

Normally both eyes are corrected for distance during the LASIK procedure. Getting rid of distance glasses or contact
lenses is the most important element of the procedure for most people. The LASIK procedure is not able to correct the
need for reading glasses which commonly occurs when people reach their mid to late 40’s. For people who would like to
minimize the need for their reading glasses, we can perform a modified laser correction on one of the eyes to allow that
eye to see near objects well. In this way, one eye is corrected for distance, and one for near vision. This arrangement is
not for everyone, and testing pre-operatively can be undertaken to see if this would be an appropriate option for you.

11. Will refractive surgery eliminate the need for reading glasses?

No, the need for reading glasses is caused by presbyopia. Presbyopia is the normal aging process of the eye, where its
natural lens loses some of the flexibility that allows it to focus on near point objects. This usually occurs between the ages
of 40 and 55. Everyone experiences presbyopia at some point, as they get older, resulting in the need for bifocals or
reading glasses. One advantage to myopia in your 40s and 50s is that you may be able to remove your glasses to read
(your myopia effectively counteracts your presbyopia). If you are presbyopic and choose to have laser vision correction
you will lose this ability. Your cornea will focus light correctly, which will force you to need reading glasses for small
print, like every other normal sighted person with presbyopia. Because laser vision correction is designed to reshape your
cornea and does not alter the lens of your eye, it can not correct presbyopia. However, there are currently many
procedures being tested to correct presbyopia. If you would like more information about treatment for presbyopia please
call the office and our laser vision coordinator will be happy to answer any questions.

12. What risks or complications could occur?

The risk of a serious vision threatening complication is less than 1%. The incidence of infection of the cornea following
LASIK is approximately 0.2%.

13. Can I have both eyes corrected at the same time?

This decision is up to the patient and doctor to decide. Currently, the vast majority of LASIK procedures are done on
both eyes during the same visit.

14. Is LASIK safe?

LASIK surgery is very safe. The success rate for LASIK averages above 97% for experienced LASIK surgeons.

15. What are the long-term effects of LASIK?

Nobody knows if there are significant long-term (beyond 10 years) adverse effects from LASIK. However, the
scientific community does not foresee any significant long-term adverse effects. The flap-making technology has been
available since the late 1940’s. The excimer laser has been available since the early 1980’s. Neither has shown long-
term problems so it is unlikely their combined use in LASIK will cause long-term problems. Eye doctors have
tremendous confidence in the procedure.

16. How long will the correction last?

LASIK is a permanent procedure. The cornea is a very stable tissue. Medical experience shows that once the cornea
has been modified, it tends to stay modified permanently. There are rare cases of regression, which may be corrected
with further surgery, but the vast majority of corrected eyes continue to stay in focus.

17. Should I wait for refractive surgery to improve?

Refractive surgery is highly technology driven. Just like in the computer industry, there are constant advancements. The
important question is whether the technological advances translate into a proportionate increase in patient satisfaction.
Because the level of patient satisfaction with modern refractive surgery is already so high, there probably will not be
dramatic advances in satisfaction for most patients. In many cases, time spent waiting for technological improvements
also means less time to potentially benefit from refractive surgery.

18. Does the LASIK procedure hurt?

Patients are given a topical anesthetic (eye drops) to numb the eye, so they experience no pain. When the surgeon
applies the vacuum ring, the patient experiences a sensation of pressure just before his or her vision fades for a few
seconds. The microkeratome - the instrument the surgeon uses to create the flap - and the laser do not cause any pain.
For several hours after the procedure, many patients describe a mild burning sensation or grittiness similar to having an
eyelash in your eye. After the first few hours, this uncomfortable feeling usually subsides.

19. How long will the procedure actually take?

You will be in the office for one to two hours even though the time in the laser suite is only 15 - 20 minutes. The actual
laser procedure takes only a few minutes per eye.

20. Why must I discontinue contact lens wear before my preoperative exam?

Contact lenses can change the shape of the cornea similar to how a watchband can make a skin imprint on your wrist. If
you have your eyes examined too soon after taking out your contact lenses, several of the eye tests could give inaccurate
results and negatively influence the surgical results. You should discontinue wearing soft contact lenses for 7 days prior
to the preoperative exam and out 7 days before surgery day. Rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lens wearers may
require a longer amount of time out of lens wear. Dr. Waldorf will advise you if he suspects your corneas have not
returned to their natural shape after removing your contact lenses.

21. How long will it take to recover from LASIK? With Epi-LASIK?

With LASIK, it takes most patients less than twenty-four hours to gain functional visual recovery and return to work. Epi-
LASIK requires three to four days of recovery (occasionally longer depending upon original prescription).

22. How soon can I drive after having LASIK?

Since patients receive a sedative prior to surgery and most experience some discomfort and blurred vision for a few
hours after surgery. You cannot drive home after undergoing the procedure and you should not plan to drive for the rest
of the day. Most patients drive themselves to their one day post-op appointment.

23. Can my vision be improved if I am not satisfied after I am fully healed?

In many cases the answer is yes. Patients with residual refractive error after their procedure may require an additional
surgery known as an enhancement.

24. What is an enhancement?

This refers to a procedure performed at least three months after your LASIK surgery, in which your correction may be
fine-tuned and improved. The flap created for your original procedure is lifted and an additional laser treatment is
applied. This procedure is painless and occurs in approximately 5 to 10% of patients, depending on your level of myopia
and the individual healing of your eye. There is no additional charge for this procedure if it is performed within a year of
your original procedure.

25. How much does LASIK Surgery Cost?

Clear Choice Laser Eye Center charges $1,300 per eye. CustomVue procedures are an additional $400 per eye.

26. Does insurance cover the cost of this surgery?

Although LASIK is not a cosmetic procedure; it is considered elective surgery and as such, not generally covered by
insurance. However, some insurance companies will offer a LASIK benefit. You can check with your employer or
insurance company to see if such a benefit is being offered.

27. How can I pay for my surgery?

Clear Choice Laser Eye Center offers a number of ways to pay for your procedure. We accept Visa, MasterCard,
Discover as well as cash and personal checks. We also offer financing through the Vision Fee Plan (See Financing below)

28. Is financing available?

Clear Choice offers financing through the Vision Fee Plan. The Vision Fee Plan is a separate company and can be
reached at 1-877-837-2272. They offer financing programs with monthly payments as low as $55 per month.