LASIK - FAQs

Colorado Springs & Pueblo, CO

Lasik Surgery in Colorado Springs Frequently Asked Questions

"My wife and I wore glasses and contacts for years. Since having Lasik it is great to be able to see across the room in the morning without hunting for our glasses.

We both had a very positive experience at Buckley Vision Institute. We were treated very well, and the surgery procedure was fast and painless. Having Lasik was well worth the investment, and we enjoy its benefits every day!"

Michael Unger
Managing Director
Sport Development
USA Swimming

20/20 Money Back Guarantee Questions

General LASIK Questions

Technology-Related LASIK Questions

Lasik Vision Correction in Colorado Springs

With your 20/20 Money Back Guarantee, do you guarantee I will achieve 20/20 vision?
Our 20/20 money back guarantee states that if you do not achieve at least 20/20 vision by the end of the postoperative period, we will return your entire surgery fee to you. You must make yourself available for enhancements during the postoperative period to allow us to achieve that goal. We cannot, and do not guarantee surgical outcomes, and our written 20/20 Precision Vision Plan (PVP) contract is very specific about that. top

How many people qualify for the 20/20 Money Back Guarantee?
Nearly all patients who are nearsighted and/or who have astigmatism will qualify for our 20/20 Money Back Guarantee. Based on the number of patients who have elected the 20/20 Precision Vision Plan since we first offered it, better than 90% of all nearsighted astigmatic patients have qualified for our 20/20 Money Back Guarantee. The only patients who do not qualify are farsighted patients, and patients with mixed astigmatism. The odds of a new patient qualifying for the 20/20 Money Back Guarantee is better than 90%. top

Is the 20/20 Money Back Guarantee a lifetime guarantee? We guarantee that your full surgery fee will be refunded to you if your vision is less than 20/20 at the end of your postoperative period, which is 18 months after your surgery day. top

What is your Limited Lifetime Commitment? Our 20/20 Precision Vision Plan includes a provision that will allow a retreatment or enhancement procedure for a 'facility fee' instead of a full surgery fee. This commitment is good for as long as Buckley Vision Institute is providing laser vision correction surgery, which will likely be many years. Even after Dr. Buckley has retired or Buckley Vision Institute has been sold the commitment will still apply. Commitments like this are always transferred along with ownership. This commitment provides you with the peace of mind knowing that even if you are one of the few who may need a retreatment years from now, you won't have to incur a full surgery fee again. top

Are there things I could do that would jeopardize or terminate the money back guarantee? As with any surgical procedure, the doctor's orders must be followed, or you may jeopardize your outcome. This is true with eye surgery as it is with any other surgical procedure. Since we are committing to you to produce an outcome or give you your money back, you also must also be willing to follow the doctor's instructions, use your medications, and keep your postoperative appointments as scheduled. We expect all our patients to comply with their postoperative instructions whether they have chosen our 20/20 Precision Vision Plan or our Standard Vision Plan. If a patient who has chosen our 20/20 Precision Vision Plan were to willfully ignore these instructions, it could terminate their money back guarantee. top

Could I achieve 20/20 vision and still need to wear glasses? Yes. It is possible to achieve 20/20 Vision and still require glasses for reading, close-up work, night driving, and other activities. For example, refractive surgery for nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism does not eliminate the need for reading glasses due to normal aging of the eye (the condition called presbyopia). top

Colorado Springs Lasik

Why should I choose Buckley Vision Institute for LASIK? You have many choices for LASIK whether you live in Colorado Springs or anywhere in the US. However, if you do your homework, we believe you will choose Buckley Vision Institute like so many others have already done. Our LASIK results are proven and we are the only place you can get Personalized LasikSM. We offer the latest laser technology, and Dr. Buckley's skill and experience are second to none. Most important, however, we treat each patient as a VIP and will make sure you not only have great visual results, but a great LASIK experience, as well. top

How do I know if I am a candidate? The ideal candidate for Laser Vision Correction is 17 years of age or older and has healthy corneas. Your vision should be relatively unchanged over the last year. People with certain medical conditions are not candidates for Laser Vision Correction. top

How successful is LASIK? Dr. Buckley has performed tens of thousands of LASIK procedures with outstanding results. Virtually all of Dr. Buckley's LASIK patients are 20/40 or better. This is good enough to pass a driver's exam in most states with no corrective restrictions. Our goal is to provide the best visual outcome for each patient. top

Is LASIK safe? More than one million procedures have been performed using VISX lasers in the United States. The unique diagnostic technology we use in the exam process, together with the VISX ActiveTrak™ 3-dimensional tracking laser has reduced complications to the lowest level in the history of laser vision correction. Less than one half of one percent of our patients have experienced any kind of complication during surgery, and even those patients have very useful vision. top

Is LASIK painful? Because the eye is numbed using special anesthetic drops, the procedure itself is virtually painless. You will be awake and comfortable throughout the procedure and may feel pressure but not pain. Some discomfort after the procedure may occur, although it usually disappears within 12 to 24 hours. Discomfort can include itchy, watery eyes. top

What are the risks involved? As with every medical procedure, there are risks involved with Laser Vision Correction. While this page explains some risks, your physician will discuss them in detail during your personal evaluation. Dr. Buckley will give you a thorough explanation of all the risks and benefits involved with these procedures. A very small percentage of patients who undergo the procedure have experienced mild side effects. top

What about contact lens wearers? If you wear regular soft lenses you will need to take them out at least one week prior to your exam and surgery. Toric lens wearers need to be out of their contacts at least two weeks prior to their exam and surgery. If you wear rigid gas permeable lenses you will need to take them out three weeks prior to your exam. After your exam, you must be out of your contacts for an additional three weeks. At that time, we will check the stability of your prescription to determine when you may schedule your surgery. If you sleep in your contacts, you will need to be completely out of your contacts at least two weeks prior to your exam, and at least one week before your surgery. top

What happens on the day of surgery? We ask you to arrive an hour and 15 minutes prior to your surgery time for your procedure. One of our highly trained technicians will stay with you throughout your entire experience. You should also bring a family member or friend to drive you home. With your approval they will have the opportunity to view your procedure as it happens. On the morning of your procedure you may eat a light meal but no caffeine. Once you arrive, your LASIK technician will greet and take you through the entire process. Many of our patients choose to take mild sedation so they can be more relaxed during the procedure and to help them nap following it. Your LASIK technician will then escort you to the laser suite. The procedure itself is essentially painless and most patients notice a significant improvement in their vision right away. Approximately two hours after your arrival you will leave the Center. A protective eye mask is given to you to cover your eyes while you take a nap. Most of our patients wake up from their nap with little or no discomfort. Most patients notice a significant improvement in their vision that day. The day after your surgery you will be able to drive yourself to work. top

Will I need to take time off from work? You should be able to return to work the next day, so there's little downtime. Dr. Buckley may suggest that you take it easy for two to three days and will make a recommendation for recovery time based on your individual vision needs and work environment. top

When will I be able to see? Many patients can read the clock on the wall in the laser room immediately after LASIK. However, your vision will appear to be somewhat 'steamy' for 3 or 4 hours following surgery. Your sight may fluctuate for a period of time after the procedure. It's important that patients have realistic expectations. While not all patients undergoing LASIK gain 20/20 vision, most see at least 20/40 or better the day after the procedure. That qualifies an individual to pass a driver's license exam without wearing glasses or contact lenses. top

What are the restrictions following surgery? Most patients can drive to work the next day! You should not wear eye makeup, or expose yourself to dusty or dirty environments for two days following surgery. You should not rub your eyes nor should you swim or hot tub for two weeks after surgery. We will provide protective eyewear for nighttime to prevent you rubbing your eyes while you sleep. top

Why are enhancements sometimes necessary? Surgical outcomes can vary based on several factors beyond the control of the surgeon. For example, eye surgeons know that the level of corneal hydration can affect results. Since the laser beam is absorbed by fluid, the patient with a hydrated cornea needs more laser treatment than if that same patient was in a relatively dehydrated state during surgery. Also, individuals heal in different ways so outcomes differ as well. Because we are not all the same, enhancements are sometimes necessary to get the very best results. top

Will I ever have to wear glasses again? The goal of LASIK is to reduce or eliminate the need for any type of corrective lenses. Most of Dr. Buckley's LASIK patients see very well without glasses. Reading glasses may be necessary with people as they get into their 40s. Most people, whether they have had LASIK or not, will need reading glasses as they reach their 40s. top

What is Dr. Buckley's experience? Dr. Buckley, recently recognized as a VISX Star Surgeon, ranks in the top 5% of all VISX refractive surgeons nationwide. He has performed tens of thousands of vision correction procedures including LASIK, PRK, RK, LTK, INTACS, and Refractive Lensectomy. He is considered to be Southern Colorado's most experienced vision correction surgeon based on the number and variety of procedures performed, and his specialized training. Click here for Dr. Buckley's curriculum vitae. top

How important is experience? One of the most important factors in successful laser and refractive procedures is the physician's experience. Dr. Buckley is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and has performed tens of thousands of LASIK procedures. Buckley Vision Institute has been serving patients in Colorado Springs since 1985 and specializes in laser and refractive procedures. top

What's the first step? Call our office and schedule your complimentary LASIK consultation and examination. You can also use the form found in the Contact Us section of this web site. The consultation will be informative and personal and we will answer all your questions. The comprehensive LASIK examination will involve the use of extensive technology including the latest VISX Wave Print(tm) diagnosis, and computerized corneal mapping. At the end of the consultation, we will recommend a specific procedure plan that is customized to your unique vision that will result in the best possible outcome. top

Click here for patient consultation forms.

What is Blade-FREE LASIK? Lasik involves two surgical steps: the creation of the flap, and the reshaping of the cornea. Instead of using a blade to create the flap, the Blade-FREE IntraLase method uses pulses of laser light, which is safer and more accurate than the blade. The second step involves lifting the flap so the next step of LASIK-the reshaping of your cornea with the laser-can be performed. When the laser treatment is complete, the flap is repositioned into place. When the Blade-FREE method is not used, A microkeratome is used to make the corneal flap. When patients request this method, we use an automated Moria M2 microkeratome, which is considered to be the best in the industry as far as reliability and predictability is concerned top

Which laser do you use for LASIK and PRK? We use the VISX Star S4 ActiveTrak™ Laser System. The VISX ActiveTrak™ laser is the only excimer laser that is part broadbeam laser, and part scanning laser. The VISX uses the broad beam to treat the majority of the corneal surface, and then does the finish work with a scanning laser to smooth the surface and polish the edges. This combination is known as Variable Spot Scanning (VSS™). Studies have shown that the VSS technology is the fastest and smoothest way to sculpt the cornea, thus yielding the best outcomes. top

What is VISX ActiveTrak™ laser eye tracking? The VISX Star ActiveTrak™ eye tracking system is a very sophisticated infrared video device on the laser that follows even the smallest movements of the eye during the entire surgical process. Using the VISX ActiveTrak™ system, Dr. Buckley is able to place every single pulse of the laser in exactly the right spot so you don't have to worry about moving your eyes during the surgical procedure. top

What are the differences between the VISX ActiveTrak™ laser and the Ladarvision laser? The VISX ActiveTrak™ laser is preferred by US eye surgeons 3 to 1 over all other lasers combined! Here's why: First, the Ladarvision system can only track eye movement in two dimensions, side-to-side and up-and-down. The VISX ActiveTrak™ follows eye movement in those two dimensions, plus a very important third dimension, the vertical movement that occurs with normal breathing. Second, the Ladarvision laser uses only a flying spot scanning laser. This results in a much longer treatment time compared to the VISX laser, which uses a combination of broad beam and scanning lasers. Treatment time with the Ladarvision can take several minutes whereas the VISX is usually less than 20 seconds. Third, the patient's pupils must be dilated for Ladarvision surgery and visual recovery takes much longer. Pupil dilation is not required for surgery using the VISX ActiveTrak™ laser system. top

What about pupil size, and can you treat large pupils? The VISX laser can treat pupils up to a dilated diameter of 9.5mm. We have never seen a dilated pupil larger than this, so no matter how large the patient's pupil size is, we can treat it. We measure your dilated pupil size with a Plusoptix pupilometer. This instrument is a fully automated infrared videorefractor that allows us to objectively measure pupil size. It measures the pupil in the darkest environment possible for us to accurately measure its largest diameter. Your treatment plan can then be customized with the VISX laser to accommodate for a large pupil, while removing the least amount of tissue necessary to achieve your correction. Accurate measurements of your pupil along with a custom surgery plan will significantly reduce your chance of halos and glare associated with night driving. top

What is the new wavefront technology, and how will it benefit me? The new wavefront technology, or CustomVue™ system as it is called by the VISX Corporation is the latest diagnostic and laser technology available in the industry. This technology is able to identify and correct unique imperfections in your cornea that were never correctable before. The results are visual outcomes that were never before possible with standard Lasik. First, it produces a unique and detailed analysis of your total vision system. The WavePrint™ system provides a detailed three-dimensional map of your entire optical system that is like a "fingerprint of your vision". This information is then transferred into the VISX ActiveTrak™ laser which scientifically corrects your unique corneal imperfections, as well as the normal corrections such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism resulting in superior outcomes.

VISX CustomVue™ guided laser treatment provides the best possible visual outcomes, offering the greatest likelihood of 20/20 "Personal Best™" vision or, in most cases, much BETTER! The results of the new WaveScan™ CustomVue™ treatment is vision, that in most cases, is better than was ever possible before with glasses or contact lenses. Most of our patients tell us that they see better after their CustomVue™ procedure than they ever did before with their glasses or contacts!

This technology, together with the experience and talent of Dr. Buckley gives us the confidence to offer our exclusive 20/20 money back guarantee. top

What is ORBSCAN, and why is it important? The ORBSCAN high-tech computer produces a topographical map of the front and back surfaces of the cornea with microscopic accuracy. This is essential for maximizing the safety and optimizing outcomes of laser vision correction. ORBSCAN can diagnose conditions that may indicate alternate vision correction procedures, or even non-candidacy for laser surgery. It is also used to monitor your post-operative recovery. top

What is pre-operative tear profiling? With the dry air we have in Colorado, dry eyes are common. Buckley Vision Institutes uses the Touch Tear MicroAssay System™ for measuring potential 'dry eye' problems. Through this easy 'in-office' analysis of the Lactoferrin levels in your tears, Dr. Buckley is able to reduce dry eye problems with treatment prior to surgery. top