Using the latest in vision correction technology, our LASIK specialists at Clarkson LASIK help patients in St. Louis achieve crisp, clear sight with vision correction surgery.
According to the American Refractive Surgery Council, more than 90% of people who undergo LASIK eye surgery achieve vision that is 20/20 or better. The LASIK eye surgical specialists at Clarkson LASIK have the experience and expertise to deliver only the most top-quality LASIK services using state-of-the-art laser eye surgery equipment.
Our experienced ophthalmologists use the latest in laser surgery technology to ensure you get the best care possible. Meet your local Chesterfield, MO LASIK surgeons:
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LASIK, which stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is a laser vision correction procedure designed to reduce or eliminate your need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. The cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, helps focus light on the retina at the back of the eye for sharp vision. LASIK improves vision by correcting the shape of the cornea in eyes that do not have light correctly focused on the retina.
Since it was invented more than 30 years ago, and FDA approved more than 20 years ago, LASIK has been studied extensively for safety and efficacy. According to the American Refractive Surgery Council, LASIK has an excellent safety track record, with a complication rate below 1%. In fact, studies show that wearing contact lenses introduces a higher risk of certain complications, such as microbial keratitis, when compared to LASIK. Many eye doctors choose to have LASIK themselves and recommend LASIK for their family members.
At Clarkson LASIK, we prioritize patient safety above all else. Not only are our doctors highly trained, but they’re professionals who can customize LASIK surgery to your unique eyes to ensure the procedure is both effective and safe. No two pairs of eyes are the same. Neither are any two of our LASIK surgical plans. Our doctors will answer any questions or concerns you have about LASIK eye surgery during your appointment.
Getting ready for LASIK is simple. During your appointment at Clarkson LASIK, our experienced LASIK surgeon will learn more about you and check your eyes to ensure that LASIK is right for you. We’ll also determine if you may better benefit from other vision correction procedures like EVO ICL or PRK and answer any questions you have. Once your LASIK procedure is scheduled, our team will give you detailed preoperative instructions.
LASIK is an outpatient procedure, and the actual surgery takes as little as 15 minutes per eye. This is what you can expect at Clarkson LASIK:
LASIK recovery is typically quick and easy. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Our team will give you detailed postoperative instructions and schedule you for a follow-up appointment.
At Clarkson LASIK, we know how important affordable vision care is to our patients. We also understand that each patient has unique needs and goals.
The cost of LASIK can vary based on your personalized treatment plan. We will give you transparent pricing information, as well as financing options, at your appointment.
Schedule an appointment with your St. Louis LASIK eye doctors to better understand what your LASIK procedure will cost at Clarkson LASIK.
Did you know that LASIK can save you money over the long term when compared to the cost of eyeglasses and contact lenses?
During your eye exam, your doctor will check for any sign of eye conditions that may disqualify you for LASIK, such as thin corneas, keratoconus, glaucoma, or severe dry eye disease. If it turns out that LASIK isn’t right for you, your eye doctor may be able to recommend another vision correction procedure.
LASIK is generally considered a quick and comfortable procedure. Most patients find that the anesthetic eye drops applied before the surgery ensure no pain during the procedure. You might feel a sensation of pressure or experience dimming of your vision at various points in the procedure.
Most medical and vision insurance plans consider LASIK to be elective and therefore do not cover it. However, you can use a flexible spending account (FSA) or a health savings account (HSA) to pay for LASIK, or you can take advantage of our financing options.
As with any surgical procedure, there are no guarantees. Although the results are extremely good (95% of patients in national studies no longer need glasses for driving), the results of the procedure depend on your initial refraction, your own healing characteristics and other factors. It is good to look at LASIK 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.
Yes. As you did before your consultation, stop wearing your contacts for 7 days before surgery.
Yes, you should stop wearing makeup two days before your surgery, this includes eye creams. These products as well as debris along the eyelashes may increase the risk of infection during and after surgery. Your doctor may ask you to scrub your eyelashes for a period of time before surgery to get rid of residues and debris along the lashes. You must also leave eye makeup off for 7 days following the procedure.
LASIK is often done on both eyes at the same time. The results are so predictable and the procedure safe enough that most people prefer to have both eyes done at the same time. Bilateral surgery is convenient in that it restores your balance vision as quickly as possible. With PRK, you may want to have your eyes done on consecutive weeks because it may take a few days for the functional vision to return. By doing one eye at a time, you can rely on the other while the post-operative eye is healing. Additionally, surgeons may elect to do one eye at a time in patients with extreme myopia because these patients can be less predictable in terms of their responses to the laser.
Yes, we use numbing drops, not needles, for the eyes. You will also be able to take a mild sedative which will help you relax. However, you will need to remain awake during the procedure.
The current excimer laser will not correct your need for reading glasses because this condition is called presbyopia. It occurs in about 98% of the population when they near 40 years of age. The eyes lose the flexibility they once had. You may be educated about the possibility of “monovision” by our LASIK optometrist.
Our surgeons have completed more than 75,000 procedures since 2000.
We own our laser equipment; therefore, we do not pay rental fees. We have our own surgical and ophthalmology staff and do not have to pay referral fees. It is the policy of Clarkson Eyecare LASIK to provide quality refractive surgery at an affordable price.
If you live outside of Missouri, any Clarkson Eyecare eye doctor at our locations in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, and Virginia can provide a LASIK referral to a qualified surgeon in their area. Visit our locations page or call (844) 393-2326 to book an appointment with one of our eye doctors near you.
Clarkson Eyecare provides LASIK at an affordable price. By owning our laser equipment and employing our own surgical and ophthalmology staff, we can keep our costs down. This allows us to pass the savings to you.
Additionally, you may be able to use your health benefits to pay for LASIK eye surgery. To learn more about how you can use your HSA and FSA to pay for LASIK, check out our guide.
