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We encourage you to contact us with any questions or comments you may have. Please call our office or use the quick contact form below.


Office location:
Grand Rapids
1959 E Paris Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Phone: 616-575-6700
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Below are some of the most frequently asked questions patients have about their vision and general eye health issues.  If you have any other questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, we would love to hear from you.

Click on a question below to see the answer.


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A:

If you are considering LASIK eye surgery, it means you are living with nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, and probably currently wear glasses or contact lenses.  LASIK is a great way to reduce your dependence on, or completely free yourself from, corrective lenses.  It may be especially appealing because of your profession or lifestyle.  It could be that you cannot wear contact lenses and dislike the appearance of glasses, or you may just want to reduce the expense and hassle of glasses and contacts.

However, LASIK is not appropriate for everyone.  There are several factors which determine the best candidate, including age, medical history, individual eye anatomy, and expectations.  Each person is a unique case requiring individual evaluation.

No website can tell you for sure if you are a good candidate for LASIK.  The only way to find out is to schedule a LASIK eligibility exam.  Be prepared to talk about your medical history, and any current diseases or medications.  You will also discuss instructions and expectations for the procedure, recovery, and results.  You will be given a comprehensive LASIK evaluation, including specialized tests that are tailored to evaluate whether your eyes are appropriate for corrective surgery.  From the results of this exam, the doctor can work with you to decide if LASIK is the right choice for you.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation!

A:

It is important to realize that, like any surgery, LASIK is not without risk.  However, major complications are extremely rare, especially when you choose an experienced surgeon who uses excellent technology.  Minor healing side effects occasionally occur, such as dry eye, and halos or glare around lights at night.  Most side effects are treatable, and will usually reduce or disappear within months of the surgery.

A:

There is no pain associated with the LASIK procedure.  Anesthetic eye drops are used to numb the cornea.  Some patients may experience mild discomfort or pressure.  After the procedure, patients may experience some tearing, burning, or irritaion in the eye for the first 2-4 hours.  Most irritation should fade within the first few days.

A:

Most people achieve 20/20 vision, or better, after undergoing LASIK eye surgery.  Although patients experience an improvement in their vision, some may still need to wear corrective lenses for certain tasks, though the necessary power of correction will be much smaller than before.

The result of the LASIK procedure is also influenced by the amount of correction needed.  Patients within a few diopters of 20/20 vision most often achieve sufficient results after undergoing LASIK that they no longer require corrective lenses.  Patients with a wider error, especially those who are extremely nearsighted, sometimes will still require corrective lenses after the surgery, though their prescription will be greatly reduced.

A:

Eye exams are recommended periodically, with the interval differing for various age groups.  In the first three years of infancy, a child should have vision checked along with normal pediatric checkups.  Between the ages of three and six (the most crucial period of eye development) an eye exam should be scheduled every year or two.  After that period, until adulthood, exams should be scheduled as necessary.  During the twenties one should have at least one exam.  During the thirties one should have at least two exams.  In the forties, fifties, and early sixties, one should schedule an exam every two to four years.  For seniors, an exam every year or two is recommended.

In addition to these basic guidelines, people with a family history of eye problems, those monitoring a diagnosed eye disease, or those with certain high risk diseases such as diabetes, it is recommended that exams should be performed at least once a year.  Regular eye exams are the best way to keep you seeing your world clearly.

Contact us today to schedule an eye exam!

A:

Any abnormal phenomena or changes in your vision can indicate a variety of possible problems.  The key to preserving vision in the face of most eye diseases is early treatment.  Thus it is important to consult an ophthalmologist if you notice anything unusual or any change in your vision.  It could be a serious problem, or it could be inconsequential, but the peace of mind and the possibility of catching a serious problem early are certainly worth it.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation!

A:

Many serious eye diseases often have little or no symptoms until they are well developed.  The only way to diagnose a problem early in such a case is to schedule periodic eye exams.  This is the best way to preserve the clearest vision possible for life.

Contact us today to schedule an eye exam!