Laser Eye Surgery in Loveland, CO

The ideal candidate for laser eye surgery is those who are at least 18 years of age and haven’t had a stable prescription for at least one year. Consulting with Dr. John D. Kirk will help us determine whether the health of your eye and medical history are eligible for laser eye surgery. However, in general, most patients in overall good health who are looking to free themselves from wearing glasses or contacts can undergo laser eye surgery.

If you have an autoimmune disease or diabetes, are on medication, or are breastfeeding or pregnant, laser treatment may not be recommended for you.

Before the procedure, Dr. Kirk will administer eye drops that numb your eyes. Afterwards, he will use a suction tool to create a flap. You may feel mild pressure during this process. Once the laser hits your eye, you won’t feel anything.

An entire laser eye procedure usually lasts anywhere from 20-30 minutes. However, the amount of time that the laser is applied to your eye varies depending on the severity of your condition. For most patients, the laser treatment is only 1-2 minutes per eye.

Laser eye surgery is a safe procedure, but it can go even more smoothly when patients prepare ahead of time for their treatment. From stopping the use of contacts to taking additional vitamins, the following actions may help your eyes and body have an easier recovery following your treatment:

• Avoid contacts and wear glasses a few weeks before your surgery
• Avoid makeup and lotions near the eye area a few days before your surgery
• Do not wear makeup on the day of your surgery
• Shower and cleanse your face the morning of your surgery
• Avoid hair cuts or hair treatments a few days before your surgery to avoid any hair or debris entering the eye
• Organize your transportation to and from your surgery appointment
• Consume Vitamin D a week before your surgery and six weeks after to help with healing (or as Dr. Kirk advises)

Most patients will be able to drive within a couple of days after their laser eye surgery. Following the procedure, you will need someone to drive you to and from your follow-up appointments until the doctor tells you that you have recovered enough. For some individuals, recovery could take up to a week. Dr. Kirk will schedule a follow-up the day after your surgery to make sure that your eyes are healing properly.

While laser eye surgery has a very high success rate, there are some risks involved in the procedure, including:

• Dry eye
• Glare or halos
• Under or overcorrections
• Astigmatism
• Regression
• Unwanted vision changes

However, most of these complications can be avoided by having an experienced ophthalmologist carefully examine your medical history. With more than 30 years of experience as a board-certified ophthalmologist, Dr. Kirk is one of Northern Colorado’s most skilled eye surgeons.

Recovery after laser eye surgery is often not difficult. However, it does require a lot of precautions to avoid complications when your eyes are healing.

Following your procedure, it is recommended that most patients go to sleep to allow their eyes to rest, heal, and adjust to their laser treatment. Upon waking, most patients notice an immediate improvement in their vision. The following day, their vision will be clearer. In the first week of healing, patients may experience soreness, light sensitivity, and tiredness in the eyes, which is completely normal. Within seven days, these side effects will subside. Most patients return to work within one week after surgery.

It can take a full three to six months for your eyes to completely adjust to your new and improved vision. Within that time period, it’s important to be cautious of the following:

• Be gentle with your eye area when cleansing your face, washing your hair, or showering
• Avoid non-sterile waters
• Avoid soap in the eyes
• Avoid swimming in pools, the ocean, or lakes
• Avoid eye-rubbing for at least four weeks
• Consume the vitamins and use eye drops as recommended by Dr. Kirk
• Wear eye shields while you sleep
• Avoid eye makeup for your first week in recovery
• Avoid high-intensity exercise
• Wear dark, protective sunglasses whenever you are out in the sun

Most patients experience results that last around 10-12 years. As you age, your vision may change due to presbyopia, which causes the lens of the eye to harden over time. This condition happens to everyone as they get older and will make some close objects seem unfocused. In addition, the underlying issue which caused your vision loss can progress. To help extend the results of your laser eye surgery, make sure to protect your eyes from sunlight and avoid staring at a computer or phone screen for too long.

After laser eye surgery, proper follow-up care is crucial for optimal healing and vision results. You'll typically have an initial follow-up visit scheduled within 24-48 hours post-surgery. Dr. Kirk will examine your eyes during this appointment and monitor your recovery.

Additional follow-ups are usually booked at intervals over the next few weeks to months to continue tracking your progress.

Throughout this period, it's essential to use prescribed eye drops to prevent infections and reduce inflammation. You should also avoid rubbing your eyes. Report any concerns, like discomfort or vision changes, immediately.

Most patients experience an improvement in their vision within 24 to 48 hours after laser eye surgery. However, it's common for vision to be blurry or fluctuate for the first few days as your eyes adjust to the changes.

Patients' clarity of vision typically continues to improve over the next several weeks. Full stabilization of vision may take up to three months. The timeline depends on the individual and the specific type of laser eye surgery performed.

Give your eyes adequate time to heal before resuming activities like swimming or exercising.

Generally, you should avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, and bodies of water for at least two weeks to prevent potential infections. A waiting period of about a week is recommended for vigorous physical activities or contact sports. The exact amount of time may vary based on your doctor's advice.

Always wear protective eyewear if engaging in sports to prevent accidental injury to your healing eyes.

Laser eye surgery is generally recommended for adults over 18. Younger patients' eyes are still developing, which could affect the surgery's outcomes.

There is no upper age limit to this procedure. However, candidates over 40 may still require reading glasses due to presbyopia, a normal age-related change in vision.

A thorough eye examination is always necessary to determine if a person's eyes are healthy enough for surgery, regardless of age.

Kirk Eye Center offers payment plans through CareCredit® Healthcare Financing.

With CareCredit, you can access various payment plan types, including interest-free plans for purchases of $200 or more. You also don't have to worry about any pre-payment penalties.

Kirk Eye Center has been a trusted provider of comprehensive ophthalmology and optometry services in Northern Colorado since 1991. Led by Dr. John Kirk, a Colorado native, the facility offers state-of-the-art treatments, particularly for serious medical eye conditions.

Dr. Kirk's commitment to adopting the latest advancements in eye care ensures patients receive the most up-to-date and effective treatments available. Choosing Kirk Eye Center means benefiting from decades of expertise and a deep-rooted commitment to the local community's well-being.