What Is a LASIK Refinement?

LASIK is one of the most effective medical procedures in the world. When performed by an experienced surgeon using advanced technology, it’s also among the safest. In fact, fewer than 1% of LASIK patients experience serious complications.

There are an average of 700,000 LASIK surgeries performed in the U.S. annually and,  according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, around 99.5% of recipients achieve vision of 20/40 or better. In a majority of cases, desired results follow the initial procedure. However, issues such as overcorrection and under-correction are possible—in addition to the

fact that for some people their eyeglass prescription can change as they age—making a LASIK refinement necessary in some cases.

Our Results Are Unmatched. Our Commitment Is Unwavering

At 20/20 Institute, our experienced LASIK doctors take every care to achieve the best results on the first try. An impressive 99.67% of our patients have achieved 20/20 vision or better* after their first procedure. Although unlikely, if those desirable results are not achieved after a patient’s initial procedure, we provide our LASIK patients with refinement procedures at no charge. This is part of our patient-centered philosophy and a testament to the consistently high-quality outcomes our LASIK surgeon produces.

If you are considering LASIK or have had LASIK elsewhere and need a LASIK refinement, call 20/20 Institute at 303-202-0669 to schedule a FREE evaluation with one of our experienced LASIK specialists. We maintain offices in Denver and Colorado Springs. We welcome patients from all nearby areas of the Rocky Mountain Region.

LASIK Enhancement

LASIK refinement, also known as LASIK enhancement, is a follow-up procedure performed to improve LASIK results. Typically performed five to 15 years after LASIK, refinement procedures allow your eye surgeon to address changes in prescription over time, helping to ensure your results stay in better alignment with your expectations.

A LASIK refinement is mostly used to address age-related vision changes that can occur years after your initial procedure. As we age, the structure of our eyes can change, altering LASIK results. A LASIK refinement procedure can correct many of the eyeglasses prescription changes that follow age-related changes to the eyes, helping to restore vision to its previous clarity.

Of course, not everyone who experiences vision changes after LASIK is a good candidate for LASIK enhancement. Candidacy for refinement depends on several factors, including the health of your eyes and the amount of vision correction needed. At 20/20 Institute, we take great care to make sure our patients—for primary LASIK, LASIK refinements, and ICLs—are suitable candidates for the vision correction solutions we offer.

General and ocular health considerations aside, there are limitations to the number of laser vision correction procedures a patient can safely have based on their starting prescription and their corneal thickness. During your free consultation, we will thoroughly evaluate your candidacy for a LASIK refinement to help you decide if it is the best procedure for your needs.

Should I Buy a LASIK Refinement Plan?

Some LASIK providers give the option of purchasing a plan that allows for future refinement procedures for free or at a reduced cost. Often what these plans are called by various providers can create the impression that they are all the same, but that is not the case. Terms and conditions differ among providers, making it important to understand any limitations or requirements in the plan before purchasing it.

At 20/20 Institute, we include a standard LASIK refinement plan at no cost to each of our patients. If your vision changes enough to warrant refinement in the future, we will provide your enhancement free of charge. Like our Best Price Guarantee, this is simply part of our commitment to provide exceptional customer service and produce long-lasting LASIK results.

Take a look at our Google reviews to learn more about the patient experience at 20/20 Institute.

How Are Refinements Performed?

LASIK refinements are performed using one of two surgical techniques: LASIK on LASIK or PRK over LASIK. A LASIK on LASIK refinement can be performed in a very similar manner to the original LASIK procedure with one exception; no flap needs to be recreated with a LASIK on LASIK refinement because the patient already has their original flap in place. The difference with a LASIK on LASIK refinement is that the surgeon re-lifts the same LASIK flap that was created in the original LASIK procedure instead of creating a new one.

Our very experienced and skilled surgeons can lift the original LASIK flap to expose the lower layers of the cornea, then an excimer laser is used to sculpt the tissue to correct and fine-tune the prescription, and then the flap is replaced in position, it self-adheres just as it did the first time around. The second way to perform a refinement on an eye that originally had LASIK is to perform a PRK over a LASIK refinement on the surface of the cornea—right on top of the original LASIK Flap. What makes PRK different from LASIK is that there is no flap created or lifted in the PRK procedure. Instead, the surgeon removes the surface (epithelium or skin) tissue that covers the front part of the cornea, uses an excimer laser to perform the reshaping step, and places a contact lens over the treated area to help with comfort during the recovery phase as the tissue heals. Yes, PRK over LASIK refinements means that a proportion of the patient’s original LASIK flap does get lasered away.

Because of the longer healing and recovery time with PRK as compared to LASIK, most patients choose LASIK when they can. Therefore, patients need to understand BEFORE their original LASIK procedure how their laser vision correction provider will choose to approach future refinements—LASIK on LASIK Refinements or PRK over LASIK refinements.

A Note About Our Technology

At 20/20 Institute, each LASIK patient gets our best technology, guaranteed. We perform every LASIK procedure—including enhancements—with the state-of-the-art WaveLight^® EX500 Excimer Laser. This means that all of our LASIK flaps are bladeless, which helps to reduce the risk of complications, improve outcomes, and shorten recovery time. With an advanced eye-tracking system and the ability to preserve the shape of the cornea, Wavefront Optimized^® Custom LASIK can reduce the need for refinement procedures and produce more reliable results if an enhancement is necessary.

How Can I Tell If I Need a LASIK Refinement Procedure?

Determining whether you need a LASIK refinement involves monitoring your vision for changes or issues after your initial surgery. If we perform your procedure, we will track your vision and progress during your free follow-up visits, but over the years, signs that you can watch for yourself include:

• Blurred or Distorted Vision
• Difficulties Seeing at Night
• Decreased Visual Sharpness or Clarity
• Frequent Headaches or Eye Strain
• Vision Regression

No matter if these issues occur suddenly or have been developing over time, any unexpected changes in vision following LASIK must be brought to the immediate attention of your eye doctor. The sooner issues are identified, the quicker they can be addressed and corrected. Refinement is not always necessary or appropriate, but it can be of remarkable benefit when it’s needed.

How Successful Is LASIK Refinement?

Similar to LASIK, refinement procedures have a high success rate. Most patients who require LASIK enhancement achieve their vision goals after corrections are made. A vast majority of our patients experience significant improvement in their vision after a LASIK refinement.

Contact Us for a FREE LASIK Refinement Consultation

If you would like to find out about your options from experienced doctors who are committed to transparency with no pressure, contact 20/20 Institute online or call us today. We will be happy to arrange for a complimentary LASIK consultation at our Westminster, LoDo, DTC, or Colorado Springs office.