Lakewood Location
3300 East South St. #105
Long Beach, CA 90805
(562) 531-2020
Los Alamitos Location
3801 Katella Ave. #130
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
(562) 598-7728
If you would like to make an appointment regarding your eye care needs or any eye or eyelid surgery please contact us.
*Please confirm which office your appointment is at with the receptionist when scheduling your consultation.
Q. Is laser vision correction safe?
A. The risk of having a complication is less than 1%. In fact, the risk of developing a sight threatening infection is greater from contact lens wear than from refractive surgery. Complications, although rare, can usually be successfully treated.
Q. Does the procedure hurt?
A. Although you may feel some slight pressure around the eye, you should not have any pain during the procedure. With LASIK, pain after the procedure is uncommon, but can be treated with drops or prescription Tylenol.
Q. What actual happens during the procedure?
A. After your eye has been completely numbed using "eye drop" anesthesia, an eyelid holder will be placed between your eyelids to prevent you from blinking. Next an instrument, known as a microkeratome, makes a protective flap in the cornea. During this process you many feel a little pressure. You will be asked to look directly at a target light while the laser reshapes the cornea, usually in less than a minute. Then, the protective flap is folded back in place where it bonds securely without the need for stitches. After LASIK, some patients report a slight discomfort that usually goes away within twelve to twenty-four hours.
Q. How long does the procedure take?
A. The actual procedure takes approximately five minutes per eye.
Q. Can I have both eyes done on the same day?
A. Most of our patients get both eyes done on the same day. Every patient has the option to have each eye done on separate days if that is their preference.
Q. How soon can I return to work?
A. Patients who choose LASIK can often return to work the next day. With PRK, patients often return to work in 3-5 days.
Q. Can I be guaranteed 20/20 vision?
A. No one can guarantee a 20/20 outcome. However, studies have shown up to 98% of patients achieve 20/40 vision or better, which allows for legal driving, playing sports, and satisfies most police or fire department regulations for functioning without corrective lenses.
Q. How do I know I'm a candidate for laser surgery?
A. In general, candidates for laser surgery must be 18 years or older, have stable vision for a year prior to the procedure and be free of certain diseases. Free Refractive Consultations are available at our offices. Please use our contact page to request a free screening appointment.
Q. How long have the doctors been performing this procedure?
A. Lakewood/Los Alamitos Eye Physicians and Surgeons have been performing refractive surgery for over 10 years. They have performed thousands of LASIK procedures and are certified in LASIK, PRK, Astigmatic PRK, Radial Keratotomy and Astigmatic Keratotomy procedures. While LASIK surgery is usually the procedure of choice, our surgeons are in the unique position of being able to customize the surgical plan for each patient. As members of the teaching staff at the University of California, Irvine, our surgeons are always attuned to the very latest treatments that will be right for you.
Q. What is the cost of the procedure?
A. A consultation for Laser Vision Correction is complimentary! Schedule a screening, tour our center and meet the surgeon – all free of charge. Costs for the procedure vary depending on your prescription and the technology used. Our doctor will advise you of options and costs following your complimentary consultation.
Ask About Us our Affiliated Optometrist program. If a portion of your post-operative care is arranged through our large network of affiliated optometrists, you may be eligible for a discount.
We accept cash, certified check, major credit cards or personal check. Several easy financing plans are also available.
Please contact our Patient Coordinator to schedule your appointment at Long Beach Laser Center in Los Alamitos at (562) 598-7728.
STEp by STEp
1. Anesthetic drops are applied to the eye.
2. For LASIK, a protective hinged flap is created and gently lifted by the surgeon, revealing the inner corneal tissue. PRK does not require a flap and is also known as Flapless LASIK or Advanced Surface Ablation.
3. The inner corneal layer is reshaped with the laser to correct your eye’s imperfections.
4. The surgeon gently replaces the flap and aligns it to its original position. It heals naturally and securely.
5. Some patients feel slight irritation for a few hours, but most are quite comfortable after a nap and rest.
a TypICaL pRE aNd pOST-Op SChEdULE
1. Discontinue contact lens wear.
2. Initial evaluation and consultation.
3. Surgery day – allow About Us 1 hour for your center visit. Rest for the remainder of the day.
4. One-day post-operative checkup. Resume most normal activity.
5. One week, one month, three month, six month check up.
6. Regular eye examine – one year.