LASIK FAQ

Hunter Vision LASIK combines the 3D imaging collected in the unique and comprehensive LASIK Consult and the capabilities of the Wavelight Allegretto laser to maintain the natural 3D shape of your cornea during surgery. This thorough, 90-minute pre-surgery exam is able to detect the subtleties and nuances of your eye down to the micron level prior to the actual procedure. This allows your surgeon to view a uniquely complete picture of your eye before your customized correction is ever programmed into the laser. The more your surgeon knows about your eye health before your surgery, the better they are able to customize the best plan for you.

No. 100% of the Hunter Vision LASIK procedures we do are bladeless.

We will be happy to cooperate with your insurance company if they cover any portion of LASIK surgery. However, most plans do not cover LASIK surgery. The pre-surgery Personalized Vision Correction Consult is hundreds of dollars worth of testing on your eyes. We do it free of charge so that we are comfortable that our plan for your vision correction is the absolute best it can be. Partnering directly with insurance companies would hamper our ability to provide the personalized plan as a standard for every patient. We think you deserve better.

Yes! According to IRS Publication 502, laser eye surgery is an eligible medical expense. Here’s what it says: “You can include in medical expenses the amount you pay for eye surgery to treat defective vision, such as laser eye surgery or radial keratotomy.” There you go. 

There are older generations of diagnostic equipment and laser technologies available today that are sufficient for some people. However, many people have subtle differences about their eyes that would be better detected by our more comprehensive imaging, and that would particularly benefit from our latest generation of laser. We believe that the 3D nature of the technology offered at Hunter Vision makes a significant difference in your final outcome. Comparing our patient results to the national averages has shown this to be true.

Oh, if only that answer were as simple as it could be. In general you will find that LASIK at Hunter Vision costs more than most places. We don’t cut costs when it comes to your vision because we believe our patients want the best and most comprehensive treatment available. We have been deliberate about creating options for patients that would like to take advantage of what we offer, but are on a tighter budget. Hunter Vision provides interest-free and traditional financing options to make monthly payments affordable enough for most candidates.

The laser that we use to correct vision is the 500 Hz Wavelight Allegretto. That matters to you because a faster laser means less procedure time and less corneal dehydration during the procedure. Ask any LASIK surgeon that you visit how old their laser technology is. Make sure they are talking about the laser they will use for your procedure. It’s important.

Yes, both of our refractive surgeons are board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. They are members in good standing of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, The International Society of Refractive Surgeons, The American Medical Association. Dr. Hunter was fellowship-trained in Cornea and Refractive Surgery with the world-renowned Dr. Daniel Durrie. The year-long Durrie Fellowship accepts one applicant per year and is regarded by many in the refractive community as the best in the world. Dr. Eubanks was hand selected for a fellowship by Dr. Hunter. He completed his specialized training at Hunter Vision and during that year performed more LASIK procedures than any fellow in the country.

The changes made to your cornea during any LASIK surgery are permanent and can only be changed by another procedure. However, when we get this question, the patient is usually asking if they will have to have this surgery more than once. While the changes to correct your vision are permanent, the lens inside the eye will inevitably change over time and cause a loss of near vision. This is the reason almost everyone over the age of 45 requires readers or bifocals, or takes off their glasses to read. Whether you’ve already had this change, or it is far in the future for you, we can fix this problem as well when necessary. It brings us great joy to see the euphoria our patients have with their ability to see near and distance without glasses, no matter what their age.

We tell patients that they should expect to be here no more than 90 minutes on surgery day. The final prep for surgery (a one-on-one final measurement with your surgeon) takes about 15 minutes, the time in the laser room is about 15 minutes, and the post operative instructions take approximately 5-10 minutes depending on questions you may have.

While there is inherent risk in any surgical procedure, LASIK is among the most common and safest elective procedures available today. Each year over 1 million people elect to undergo LASIK. Classic LASIK performed with a blade was trusted by tens of millions of people (including Dr. Hunter himself.) Now, with the femtosecond laser that uses a layer of bubbles to separate the natural layers of the cornea (instead of a blade to cut through) it is safer than ever before. Approximately 50% of today’s LASIK procedures are still performed with a blade. Hunter Vision uses bladeless technology exclusively. Your surgeon will discuss your particular risks with you at your consultation.

Most clinics do a “free” consultation, have you back for a “not free” further qualification, then have you in for surgery. At Hunter Vision, we combined the first two appointments into one 90-minute consultation. It costs you NOTHING for one of the most advanced, comprehensive, 3D diagnostic testing exams in the world. We do it because we believe it's best for you. We schedule your surgery at that appointment and then have you come in at your scheduled surgery time. Your time is valuable and we know it, so we are deliberate about taking the least amount of it possible. Hunter Vision is built around our patients, not the doctor.