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Refractive Surgery
If you are looking for an alternative to glasses and contact lenses, refractive surgery may be an option. Your Turlock Eyecare optometrists have been doing refractive surgery consults and perioperative care for years. Through a series of additional eye testing, we will determine if you are eligible for LASIK surgery and can walk you through the treatment options. We will co-ordinate pre and post-operative care conveniently in Turlock. We are very conservative when it comes to recommending treatment, meaning we have very high expectations and take great caution to uncover any "red flags" for success.
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Is there more than one kind of surgery?
Yes! There are different options depending on your eyes.
Most people refer to vision correction surgery as "LASIK", however that is only one kind. Other types include PRK, ICL, and Clear Lens Exchange. Your Turlock Eyecare optometrist will be able to discuss which type of surgery would be appropriate for you, depending on your test results.
LASIK
(Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)
Are there age restrictions for surgery?
Yes! The best time to have refractive surgery is when your eyes have completed their developmental stages.
We do not recommend refractive surgery for minors, since their eyes are still growing, their vision and prescription is more likely to change.
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Your eyes are the most stable around age 21-40, this is typically the best time for refractive correction.
Your near vision will naturally be changing around age 40 due to the unavoidable condition called presbyopia. There are different options for refractive surgery for those over age 40. Some prefer to to surgically correct their distance vision only so they only rely on glasses occasionally for near work. Another option to discuss with your optometrist is doing a monovision trial. Some people are able to adjust to having one eye set for distance vision and one eye for near vision. Although it may sound unusual, many have great success with this method, reducing the need for near glasses.
Does it hurt?
You do not feel pain during the surgery because your eyes are numb. You are awake for surgery but you may be given relaxing medication to help calm any nerves. Depending on the type of refractive surgery you have, the healing process is different. The most commonly performed refractive surgery is LASIK, partly because the healing process is comfortable due to the corneal flap, which acts almost like a bandage lens for your surgery.
Can I have refractive surgery?
​Maybe. Our doctors are very conservative when determining if refractive surgery would be appropriate for your eyes. They will need to do additional testing (on-top of your routine eye exam) to find out if refractive surgery is safe for you.
After your annual eye exam, a complimentary refractive surgery consult is scheduled. Your Turlock Eyecare doctor will order a series of specialized tests such as pachymetry and corneal topography (pictured). Along with your ocular and refractive history, your test results will help your doctor figure out if there are any contraindications to surgery.
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Start talking about refractive surgery with your Turlock Eyecare optometrist at your comprehensive annual exam. ​​
Trust & Experience
We will take care of you as we would our own family
Be reassured that our doctors are bound by ethical standards that prioritize each patients well-being. Our optometrists have no financial benefit or quotas to meet for surgical referrals beyond our standard service fees. This lack of financial incentive means that their recommendations are based on clinical evidence and the individual needs of each patient, rather than potential profit margins.
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You can trust our optometrists to provide honest assessments during surgical consults which will allow you to make informed decisions about how to proceed.
"We are trying to find a reason for you not to have LASIK. If I can't find a reason, then you are a great candidate. It is a fantastic surgical option for the right patient, but I always want to be cautious." - Dr. Robillard