LASIK Eye Surgery Nashville, TN

Wang Vision Institute was the first in the state to perform Soft-Touch LASIK. 

Our team at Wang Vision Institute possesses unrivaled skills and experience when it comes to performing the most revolutionary refractive surgery techniques, including bladeless Soft-Touch LASIK. LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is the most popular refractive treatment in the ophthalmology field. At Wang Vision Institute, we were the first center in the state with Soft-Touch LASIK, which uses less than 1/3 of the pressure on the eye than traditional LASIK. This technique provides a more comfortable, less traumatic experience for you and your eyes. Hundreds of thousands of individuals around the globe have chosen this transformative surgery and are left amazed by the improvement in their vision. LASIK surgery has been FDA approved since 1999 and can reduce or fully eliminate myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism by precisely altering the contour of the cornea, allowing light to be directed properly on the retina. Some of the most noteworthy aspects of Soft-Touch LASIK are that it is extremely quick and virtually pain-free, and it is known to provide lasting outcomes. 

At Wang Vision Institute, our goal is for every individual to live life with their clearest vision. We understand that sharp eyesight may have a tremendous impact on everyday life and that experiencing the clearest eyesight possible can enhance everything from task performance to favorite pastimes. Call to schedule a visit at our Nashville, TN facility to receive a LASIK evaluation from a highly qualified specialist to learn if laser vision correction is the most effective treatment for you. Individuals who take the initiative to learn more about this life-changing procedure could be one step closer to lessening or even eliminating their reliance on prescription lenses.

While most ophthalmology centers continue to carry out traditional LASIK procedures, Wang Vision Institute implements the latest tools and techniques to further maximize your laser vision correction surgery. Unlike traditional LASIK, which is performed with a surgeon looking through a traditional microscope, Soft-Touch LASIK utilizes three-dimensional image-guided technology to give our surgeons a comprehensive view of your eye. This allows our ophthalmologists to carry out LASIK procedures with increased precision and accuracy, thus improving the quality and outcomes of your surgery.

LASIK surgery in Nashville, TN at Wang Vision Institute is performed with the cutting-edge Soft-Touch LASIK system, which offers wide-ranging benefits to greatly improve your vision, including:

• A gentler, more comfortable procedure (Soft-Touch vs. Traditional LASIK)
• Increased precision and accuracy (Soft-Touch vs. Traditional LASIK)
• Almost instant dramatic vision improvements
• Reduced need for glasses and/or contacts
• Adjustments can be made as vision changes due to aging
• Improvements are permanent
• Saves money over time
• No stitches or bandages
• Recovery is quick

With advancements in LASIK, many people who weren't candidates before may now have options. Our ophthalmologists at Wang Vision Institute will help determine if LASIK is suitable, but here are a few general factors that are typically considered:

• Candidates are usually 18 or older
• A stable vision prescription over time is important
• The corneas need to have enough thickness for safe reshaping
• Certain eye or health conditions may impact eligibility

To learn more about how LASIK surgery works and whether or not you're a candidate, schedule a consultation at our Nashville, TN eye care office.

First performed here at our Nashville, TN practice by our surgeons, Soft-Touch LASIK is a technique that utilizes a high-definition microsurgical system to provide our eye surgeons with a clear, in-depth view of the patient's eye. At Wang Vision Institute, LASIK is an incredibly fast, effective vision correction surgery that results in little to no pain. Typically, the procedure lasts a mere ten minutes from start to finish. Prior to beginning the treatment, the patient's eyes will be completely numbed with anesthetic eye drops to maximize comfort. Next, a device will be placed over each eye to prevent blinking. (Those receiving LASIK won't be able to see this device and will not feel anything but a little pressure on the eye.) Once the eye is secured, our Wang Vision Institute ophthalmologists will use the innovative laser to gently introduce a very thin corneal flap. They will then delicately fold the flap upward and use the laser to recontour the underlying corneal tissue. Once this is finished, they will move the flap back into its proper position, allowing it to self-heal with no stitches. Almost all individuals who undergo bladeless LASIK will have clear vision within one day.

After the procedure is completed, it is best for patients to go directly home and try to sleep for a few hours. This is important because soon after the procedure, as the anesthetic starts to go away, patients could start to feel like there is something in their eyes, as well as a faint burning sensation. These issues create a strong urge to blink or scratch the eyes, which is not advised. Napping is the best way to make it through the hardest part of the recovery period. It is critical not to massage the eyes, even lightly, for about two weeks as they heal.

Many patients notice clearer vision right after their procedure while some report having hazy vision for around a day or so afterward. Overall, eyesight is dramatically improved within a day, and the results will develop and stabilize during the next 2 – 3 months. Many patients go through times of inconsistently clear vision, night vision issues, and light sensitivity while in their recovery periods. These issues are very common and are typically totally resolved within a few months.

Our surgeons always require their patients to schedule one or more follow-up visits in order to check on their healing progress. LASIK patients will also be advised to administer antibiotic and lubricating eye drops for a few weeks after their procedure.

How many LASIK procedures have our surgeons performed? What is the success rate?
Our surgeons have successfully performed over 55,000 LASIK procedures, including over 4,000 procedures on doctors. Their success rate is 99.8%, with "success" being defined as the percentage of patients who were able to legally drive without correction after the procedure.

What differentiates Wang Vision Institute from other LASIK surgery centers?

Here at Wang Vision Institute, you are our top priority. We customize your treatment plan to your needs.  Our surgeons and staff focus specifically on your needs. If you are looking for a team that truly takes their time to listen and understand your vision needs, you’ve come to the right place.  

What's the difference between PRK and LASIK?
Both PRK and LASIK are laser eye surgery procedures that utilize the excimer laser to reshape the cornea and correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. With PRK, the laser is used on the surface of the eye while in LASIK, the laser work is performed under a thin, protective, corneal flap. The long-term results are similar between both surgeries. Additionally, visual recovery with LASIK is usually faster and is associated with less discomfort and a reduced possibility of scarring.

Does LASIK hurt?
Before the Soft-Touch LASIK procedure begins, a member of our team will numb your eyes using anesthetic drops. The innovative soft-touch technique also allows for less pressure to be placed on your eye, allowing for even more comfortable treatments and recovery periods. While you may feel a pressure sensation as the corneal flap is being made, actual pain is rare. Any discomfort you may feel subsequent to the LASIK procedure will last only a few hours. Sleep and lubrication, as well as Tylenol or ibuprofen, are usually enough to counteract any discomfort.

Will LASIK give me 20/20 vision?
As with any surgical procedure, there are no guarantees. Although results are often extremely good (95% of laser eye surgery patients in national studies no longer need glasses for driving), the results of the surgery will depend on your initial refraction, your own healing characteristics, and other factors. It is good to look at LASIK vision correction surgery as a way of achieving an extreme decrease in your dependence on glasses or contact lenses. If 20/20 vision is not obtained after the primary LASIK procedure, enhancements may be effective to further improve vision. 20/20 can only be achieved in patients who have the potential to obtain 20/20 vision. For example, LASIK performed on a patient with a lazy eye that can only see 20/40 will only achieve 20/40 best-corrected vision.

Are both eyes done at once?
LASIK is often done on both eyes at the same time. The results are so predictable and the procedure is safe enough that most people undergoing LASIK surgery prefer to have both eyes done on the same day. The advantage of bilateral surgery is the convenience of having both eyes done at once. It also restores your balanced vision as quickly as possible. During your consultation, you will be advised of the advantages and disadvantages of both options. The final decision should be based on our professional recommendations and your desires.

What results can I expect from LASIK surgery?
Results may vary from surgeon to surgeon and from center to center. Results also vary depending on your initial refractive error. With higher amounts of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, results are less predictable and secondary treatments are more common. Our surgeons are some of the most experienced LASIK surgeons in the country and use the latest laser technology. The results have been exceptional.

How long will my results last?
Eyes typically take around 3 – 6 months to stabilize after LASIK. After this stabilization period, your vision will be improved for the long-term. Any additional need for glasses after that will be the result of the normal aging process that befalls everyone.

I have dry eye syndrome. Could this affect my LASIK procedure?
Many patients seeking refractive surgery do so because they have dry eyes and are unable to wear contact lenses. However, it is important to make sure that your dry eyes are managed. This usually involves the use of tear supplements and punctum plugs (tiny silicone plugs placed in the tear drainage openings of your eyelid) that delay the drainage of your own tears so your eyes will stay moist. After the procedure, your operated eye may feel temporarily drier because the corneal nerves are severed during LASIK surgery, causing the eye to make fewer tears. This condition is temporary and typically lasts 3 – 6 months. It is important to use ample lubrication, especially during the first few months after surgery.  Our doctors typically also recommend the ocular surface procedure prior to surgery which prepares the surface of the eye and helps to reduce the effects of dryness post surgery.

If I need to, can I wear contact lenses after my surgery?
If you have a residual refractive error and choose not to have an enhancement procedure, you may elect to wear contact lenses in four weeks. If you were a good contact lens wearer before LASIK, it is unlikely you will have problems afterward.

Can I have cataract surgery if I need it in the future?
Yes. The surgical technique used will not change. However, your lens implant will be calculated using a different formula.

Will having LASIK protect me from getting other eye diseases?
LASIK does not prevent cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or any other eye disease. Ophthalmologists term LASIK as disease neutral – it doesn't cause disease, it doesn't prevent disease, and it doesn't prevent diseases encountered in the future from being treated.

How soon can I drive?
With LASIK, you can usually resume driving within 1 – 3 days, but this depends on whether you have one eye done at a time or have simultaneous surgery on both eyes. The Department of Motor Vehicles typically grants unrestricted driving privileges to individuals who possess 20/40 or better vision. Over 90 percent of all patients who undergo LASIK surgery have this level of vision or better by the first day after their procedure.

When can I return to work?
With LASIK, the majority of patients can return to work the next day, although it is advisable to take 24 hours off following surgery on both eyes. If you work in a dusty environment, you should wait 48 hours prior to returning to work. While most patients can function normally at work the day after their LASIK procedure, we suggest you not schedule any unbreakable appointments or meetings on that day. If your recovery is delayed slightly, you will still be able to accommodate the delay without any undue stress.

Recent innovations in optical technology are allowing more and more individuals to benefit from laser refractive surgery. If you were informed years ago that you wouldn't be eligible for LASIK, set up an evaluation at Wang Vision Institute to receive our expert opinion and recommendations. Those who aren't good candidates for LASIK could benefit tremendously from another vision correction option, like ZEISS SMILE or PRK. Our team is here to give our Nashville, TN patients their most precise vision using the latest techniques and technologies available in the vision industry. Contact our office today to learn more about bladeless Soft-Touch LASIK and how it can grant you clearer, accurate vision.