Hummel Eye Associates - Oklahoma LASIK Eye Surgeon

Choosing a LASIK surgeon may seem like a difficult decision to make. Your eyes are two of the most important organs in your body, and it is imperative to feel you can trust the person who will be performing LASIK on them. The following recommendations can help you decide who you would like to trust with this important procedure.

1. Choose an ophthalmologist with experience and longevity.

Not every LASIK surgeon has years of experience behind him or herself. While this is not always a negative, experience counts for a lot when taking any surgical procedure into consideration. The ability of a LASIK doctor to retain a steady client base over a number of years is a good indication that his past patients have been happy with their results.

2. Choose an ophthalmologist you are comfortable asking questions of.

Like in any relationship, your conversations with your LASIK surgeon should be honest and direct. If you have questions you are not comfortable asking your doctor about, you may miss out on valuable information. Choose a LASIK surgeon who has the expertise and experienced staff that can ensure your questions are answered accurately and fully.

3. Choose a doctor dedicated to your area.

Like the travelling salesmen and carpet baggers of history, a professional who cannot remain long in one area may be suspect. Dedication to your city is an indicator that your LASIK surgeon will be around in the future to answer your questions and serve other members of your family, as well as your friends.

Please contact Hummel Eye Associates today to learn more about LASIK and the qualified LASIK team that has been serving Oklahoma City and Edmond, Oklahoma, for 40 years.

LASIK Requirements

Requirements for good LASIK candidate can be summed up fairly easily. The ideal LASIK candidate:

• Is over 18
• Has had a steady prescription for at least 12 months
• Has healthy eyes and good overall health
• Is nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatic

However, not every person who meets these criteria is a good candidate for LASIK, and other types of treatment may be advised by Dr. Hummel.

Be Prepared

Simply fulfilling the above criteria is the minimum required for someone interested in LASIK. You should also be prepared for the recovery period. Individuals who are recovering from LASIK surgery should:

• Take the rest of the day off from work and activities
• Return to the office for regular checkups
• Be patient while their eyes are healing
• Closely adhere to any extra measures recommended by Dr. Hummel

Be Informed

Finally, a potential LASIK patient should be well informed. Do not be afraid to ask your questions and do research into LASIK. No question is a foolish question when you are discussing the health and wellbeing of your eyes. Your vision is one of your most important senses and you should not rush into a procedure you do not fully understand.

If you have questions or concerns about LASIK, or would like to find out if you are a good candidate for LASIK, please contact Hummel Eye Associates today, serving Oklahoma City and Edmond, Oklahoma.

Although this year celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the first U.S. patent on LASIK eye surgery, there are still many misconceptions about LASIK, the benefits, risks, and outcomes.

Night Blur

One of the biggest misconceptions about LASIK revolves around LASIK and night vision. Light glare at night can be a common side effect of LASIK, though it does occur in progressively fewer and fewer patients. Technology and experience have enabled LASIK doctors to predict which individuals are more likely to suffer from night time glare, and adjust the LASIK procedure to prevent halos and flares.

Perfect Eyesight

Another common misconception about LASIK is that every individual comes out of the procedure with perfect eyesight (20/20). As a matter of fact, many LASIK patients result in better than perfect eyesight in one or both eyes. However, not every individual can be effectively treated by LASIK. Some patients are at higher risk than others and most ophthalmologists will recommend a different type of treatment if the risk is very high. In addition, the combination of LASIK and reading glasses or monovision LASIK are choices available for aging individuals with presbyopia.

Healing Time

Instant perfect vision is another common misconception about LASIK. LASIK is a surgical procedure, and requires time for your eyes to heal. Many eyes may take two to 3 months to heal, and you should plan on at least one day immediately after the procedure to let your eyes rest and recover.

To learn more about LASIK misconceptions, please contact Dr. Chris Hummel at Hummel Eye Associates, serving Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas of Oklahoma.

In a recent Sports Illustrated article, writer Ian Thomsen is quoted as saying, "Old athletes don't fade away. They go to get their corneas shaved by lasers."

It's a funny quote, shedding some light on that fact that LASIK vision correction surgery, while once shunned by athletes because of fear of complications, is now readily embraced by many of them, including household names like Tiger Woods.

Custom LASIK has improved LASIK safety to the point where it is a viable option for athletes. In addition, LASIK offers a very attractive alternative to eyeglasses and contact lenses, which are not conducive to active play, sweat, and flying dirt.

Athletes do, however, have to keep in mind that there are greater risks involved during the recovery period after LASIK. Sports that have a high risk of eye injury, such as football, boxing, and hockey, should be avoided for at least two or three weeks after the procedure. If an eye that has recently been operated on is injured, it can lead to serious complications like infection and cornea damage.

Are you an athlete considering LASIK to improve your game? We can help you sort through the benefits and risks and answer any questions you may have.

Please contact the LASIK experts at Hummel Eye Associates today to schedule a consultation at our Oklahoma City, Oklahoma office. Our phone number is at 800-522-3937.

Are you tired of the tedious daily care involved in wearing contact lenses? Do you want to wake up and see your alarm clock without putting on prescription lenses each morning? If so, you may be considering LASIK, or even custom LASIK, as a way to get rid of your contact lenses for good.

The decision to undergo LASIK surgery can be positively life-changing. But it is not something you should take lightly. In making your decision, you may want to do a quick pro-and-con comparison of LASIK versus contact lenses.

Be sure to consider this: compared to contact lenses, LASIK has a relatively low risk of eye infection.

Another important factor has to do with everyday comfort. More and more contact lens wearers are opting for LASIK because they experience problems like ongoing dry and red eyes.

If you are interested in learning whether or not LASIK is the right option for you, please place a call to 800-522-3937 or use our online form to contact Hummel Eye Associates today to schedule a consultation at our Oklahoma City, Oklahoma office.

If you tell people that you are thinking about having LASIK eye surgery, you will most likely get a ton of information and a variety of opinions from a many different sources. It can be difficult to sort out the fact from the fiction. Here are just a few myths we can quickly debunk:

Myth #1: LASIK has a long recovery period.

Fact: Most patients return to work and their normal daily routine the day after LASIK surgery. Read about what to expect from LASIK surgery.

Myth #2: It doesn't matter who performs your LASIK surgery because the laser is the most important factor.

Fact: The laser used is an important tool, but a LASIK surgeon's skill level is a principle indicator of success.

Myth #3: LASIK hurts.

Fact: LASIK is considered a painless procedure. Patients usually experience some pressure during the surgery and some mild scratchiness afterward.

Myth #4: If you have LASIK surgery, you will have significant dry eye syndrome afterward.

Fact: While drier eyes may develop after LASIK, the condition is usually mild for most patients and causes little discomfort.

The truth is, LASIK has helped millions of people set aside prescription glasses and contact lenses forever. If you would like to find out more about the advantages of LASIK, please contact Hummel Eye Associates today to schedule a consultation at our Oklahoma City, Oklahoma office.

Bladeless LASIK, also more accurately called "all-laser" LASIK, is a new technology available to patients seeking vision improvement. The cost of this bladeless technology can be anywhere from $300 to $500 more per eye. That has left many patients asking, "Is bladeless LASIK worth the hype?"

Research studies have shown no real difference in the results of traditional LASIK versus all-laser LASIK. That's why many experienced eye surgeons simply do not feel that the benefits of all'-laser LASIK, which are largely touted as a lower risk of flap complications, are enough to warrant the increased expense of the procedure.

All-laser LASIK also has a number of unique risks. One is opaque bubble layer (OBL), in which the laser pulses create a layer of bubbles that interfere with the excimer laser used to correct your vision. If you experience this, and as many as 56% of all patients do, you must wait 15-45 minutes for it to disperse before proceeding. And about a third of all patients see a complication known as rainbow glare, or colored lines that radiate out from a light source.

In addition, there are some distinct advantages to traditional LASIK over all-laser LASIK, including:

• No increased risk of light sensitivity, as can occur with all-laser/bladeless LASIK.
• Patients feel less discomfort during the procedure.
• The surgery time is faster.
• There is less suction pressure exerted on the eye.
• There is a diminished risk of swelling.
• Patient vision can clear faster in the days after surgery.

If you are considering laser vision correction and have questions about bladeless LASIK, or other types of LASIK options, we're here to answer all of your questions and find the right procedure for your specific situation. Please contact Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area LASIK experts at Hummel Eye Associates at 800-522-3937.