LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK Eye Surgery Center in Northeast Ohio

Dr. Paul Turgeon, Dr. Laurence Karns, and Dr. Michael Smit have been recognized as some of the best ophthalmologists in Stark County year after year.  

Dr. Paul Turgeon is a board-certified ophthalmologist and Medical Director for the Institute for Refractive & Intraocular Surgery Center.  He completed an internship at Mount Carmel Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio and subsequently continued his training with a three year ophthalmology residency at The Eye and Ear Institute at University of Pittsburgh, where he also completed a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease.

Dr. Laurence Karns is a board-certified ophthalmologist who is fellowship trained in cornea & refractive surgery.  He holds memberships to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Ohio Ophthalmological Society and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.  

Dr. Michael Smit has presented research on various ocular diseases and is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.  Dr. Smit received his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from Pacific Northwest University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2013.  

Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis, or LASIK, is a refractive procedure used to reshape the cornea—the clear, front part of the eye. This allows light rays entering your eye to focus accurately on the retina. Vision issues such as nearsightedness, farsightedness,  astigmatism, and presbyopia, the need for reading glasses, can all be treated by LASIK. Our award-winning LASIK surgeons, Dr. Lohman, Dr. Jones, Dr. Karns, Dr. Smit, and Dr. Turgeon offer exceptional eye care in Ohio.

Before LASIK eye surgery procedure, our doctors will evaluate your eyes to determine if you are a good candidate. During your evaluation, our highly experienced doctors will use an array of sophisticated tests and measurements to evaluate your prescription and ensure your eyes are healthy enough for surgery. These tests focus on correcting not only your prescription but also the quality of your vision.

During your LASIK surgery, our surgeons will create a microscopic flap on the cornea using the IntraLase Laser. Once the flap has been created, the LASIK surgeon will use a state-of-the-art second laser, the VISX® Laser using the iDesign Advanced Wavescan Studio, to reshape your cornea to reduce or eliminate your vision issues. 

The procedure will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Typically we perform LASIK in our Akron, Ohio office on Fridays. This allows most patients to return to work and normal activities by the following Monday. Most patients report better vision almost immediately! We are proud to report that over 99% of our patients achieved 20/20 vision or better after surgery.

To ensure the results of your laser eye procedure, we include the following complimentary post-op check-ups. The schedule is typically as follows: one day, one week, one month, three months, six months, and 9 months.  There are several things you can do safely and several things you should not do for a short time for the best LASIK healing. For a complete list of LASIK do’s and don’ts, click here. 

How Successful is LASIK Eye Surgery at Northeast Ohio Eye Surgeons?

Our LASIK eye surgeons, Dr. Lohman, Dr. Jones, Dr. Karns, Dr. Smit, and Dr. Turgeon, have been included in Best Doctors in America since 1996 and serve as highly-respected leaders in eye care treatments. More than 99% of their LASIK patients have achieved 20/20 vision or better after surgery. Our LASIK surgery center uses state-of-the-art technology to offer optimal laser eye surgery outcomes.

Is LASIK Eye Surgery Affordable?

When you consider what you spend over a lifetime purchasing glasses, contact lenses, and cleaning solutions, LASIK is a true bargain. During your free LASIK consultation, the eye surgeon will conduct a thorough examination and determine a customized treatment plan, and go over the average cost of LASIK. Northeast Ohio Eye Surgeons is also proud to offer financing.

Where Does NEOES Perform LASIK Eye Surgery?

We perform all LASIK procedures at our Akron office located at 4099 Embassy Parkway, Akron, OH 44333. On the day of your eye surgery, please report to this office with someone who can drive you home.

How Long Does the LASIK Procedure Take?

The surgery takes approximately 10 minutes to complete both eyes, and many patients report better vision immediately after eye surgery.

Can I Have Both Eyes Done at the Same Time?

Yes. Unless you specifically request otherwise, your LASIK eye surgery will cover the correction of both eyes at the same time.

What Kind of Laser Does Northeast Ohio Eye Surgeons Use?

We are proud to use the VISX® Laser to ensure accurate and customized vision results for our LASIK patients. Our qualified eye surgeons also use the IntraLase Laser to create the corneal flap during the LASIK procedure. The use of the IntraLase Laser versus a manual blade offers patients more rapid healing time and better visual acuity after eye surgery.

Does LASIK Hurt?

More often than not, the fear or anxiety is worse than the procedure itself. For this reason, your eye surgeon will give a thorough breakdown of what the surgery will entail and administer medication to help you relax before the procedure begins. The eyes will be completely numbed with topical eye drops so the patient remains very comfortable throughout the short procedure. This surgery is entirely blade-free- only lasers are used!

What Are Some LASIK Eye Surgery Complications?

The most common LASIK side effect is dry eye as tear production is reduced after the surgery for a period of time. With the use of artificial tears regularly for the first few weeks to months, most patients recover well from this symptom. More long-term dryness may need to be treated with tear enhancing medications or other measures so we screen heavily for dry eye BEFORE LASIK is done.

Another side effect can be over or under correction. Over or under correction occurs in fewer than 10% of all LASIK patients and generally requires a second laser surgery to achieve the desired vision.Other, more serious complications may include a dislocated flap or infection. These complications occur very rarely and require immediate attention from an eye surgeon at our LASIK surgery center.

By carefully following the restrictions immediately after surgery these complications can be avoided. To better understand the risks, come speak with our expert doctors.

What Are My Restrictions After LASIK Eye Surgery?

We ask that after surgery, you go home and rest. Most LASIK surgeries are done on Fridays so patients can return to work or school on Monday. You can resume most of your normal activities within a day or two after eye surgery, although we ask that you do not swim for two weeks after LASIK.

How Long After LASIK Eye Surgery Can I Wear Eye Makeup?

Eye makeup can be worn a week after surgery. You may wish to dispose of your old makeup and buy new products to decrease your risk of infection.

Will I Need Reading Glasses After LASIK Eye Surgery?

If you are over 40, the answer is probably yes due to presbyopia, which is natural with age. However, many patients choose to reduce or eliminate their dependence on reading glasses by having their non-dominant eye slightly undercorrected during LASIK. This is known as monovision. Slightly under-correcting the non-dominant eye enables many monovision patients to do most activities at both distance and near vision without glasses or contacts.

If you are interested in monovision, please speak with our doctors and staff during your LASIK evaluation. They can help trial monovision for you before your surgery with contact lenses so that you can determine if this is an option you wish to pursue.

How Long Does LASIK Last?

LASIK eye surgery is a permanent procedure. However, the eyes can change over time, typically with older age. In some scenarios, an enhancement procedure can be considered but sometimes the change happens because of something like cataract development. Taking good care of your eyes can have an impact on the longevity of your LASIK results.

Has Anyone Ever Gone Blind as a Result of LASIK Eye Surgery?

Of the tens of millions of LASIK procedures performed globally over the last decade, there are no documented cases of anyone going blind.

Is LASIK Eye Surgery a Life-Changing Procedure?

Yes! Just ask our doctors and staff, many of whom have undergone this remarkable procedure themselves or have had their friends and family undergo LASIK at Northeast Ohio Eye Surgeons.

How Can I Schedule my Consultation for LASIK Eye Surgery?

To schedule your first appointment at Northeast Ohio Eye Surgeons, please click here.

What is the LASIK Recovery Time?

LASIK Recovery time depends on factors of surgery. It can take 6-12 hours after LASIK, or it can be 2-5 days after LASIK to recover. You can see clearly after 24 hours.