iLASIK- All You Ever Wanted to Know

iLASIK is a fast and painless procedure that can give you long-lasting vision without glasses or contact lenses. That’s why millions of Americans have turned to this procedure for correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Since its introduction more than 25 years ago, iLASIK has been carefully refined to optimize vision correction for qualified patients. With the opening of The Q LASIK & MED SPA in Naples, Quigley Eye Specialists offers patients advanced LASIK technology and exceptionally skilled LASIK specialists.

The iLASIK team at The Q LASIK & MED SPA will consist of Dr. Duane Wiggins and Dr. Emmanuel Kai-Lewis who are both highly experienced iLASIK and refractive surgeons. Board certified ophthalmologist and fellowship trained iLASIK surgeon, Dr. Wiggins brings more than 20 years of experience in iLASIK and refractive surgery to performing these procedures at The Q LASIK & MED SPA. Dr. Kai – a board certified, fellowship trained cornea and refractive surgeon with more than a decade of experience – will also perform iLASIK, PRK and other refractive procedures at The Q LASIK & MED SPA.

“Many people are interested in seeing great without glasses. To help us give them their best possible vision, we have invested in advanced technology that helps us map the cornea with precision. It can also give us pinpoint control of the iLASIK procedure. That’s a very important consideration, since every cornea is unique and has a slightly different shape,” explains Dr. Kai.

According to Dr. Wiggins, patients have a list of common questions, so we thought we would answer them here.

What does iLasik stand for?
iLASIK is an abbreviation for “laser in-situ keratomileusis,” a technical term for this laser procedure.

What part of the eye is treated?
iLASIK changes the shape of the cornea, the clear, dome-like lens in the front of the eye that directs light into the photoreceptor cells of the retina in the back of the eye. An irregularly shaped cornea can cause myopia (nearsightedness) hyperopia (farsightedness) or astigmatism. These are called refractive errors of vision.

What is the procedure?
With iLASIK, one of our skilled ophthalmologists creates a thin flap on the cornea, carefully reshapes the corneal tissue and then repositions the flap to correct the refractive error.

How long does the procedure take?
In most cases, Dr. Wiggins and Dr. Kai can treat both eyes in less than thirty minutes.

How soon do the eyes recover?
Usually iLASIK patients report better vision almost immediately and within 24 to 36 hours.

What about patient safety?
Patients are carefully evaluated to be sure they are good candidates. The Q LASIK & MED SPA, like all Quigley offices, follows all current public health guidelines to ensure a safe and comfortable patient experience.

Who is a good candidate for iLASIK?
Men and women from age 18 to 50 with overall healthy eyes are generally the best candidates.

Who should not have iLASIK?
If you have cataracts or have undergone other types of corneal surgery, you are not a good candidate.

What if I had a prior iLASIK procedure?
Patients who would like a touch up are encouraged to schedule a consultation. Advancements in diagnostic and corrective technology may allow you to achieve better vision.

Has iLASIK technology become more advanced over the years?
The state-of-the art technology in The Q LASIK & Med Spa includes the iDesign Refractive Studio from Johnson & Johnson. This allows every part of the cornea to be mapped with the greatest possible precision. It also provides pinpoint control of the iLASIK procedure itself.

Are there other options than iLASIK?
Yes. Dr. Wiggins and Dr. Kai have other procedures to correct refractive vision errors. For instance, a patient with a thin cornea might benefit from photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), which treats the cells on the surface of the corneal tissue.

Are patients satisfied with results?
Yes. National surveys, as well as our own experience, indicate very high patient satisfaction rates. In fact, some patients report even better results than 20/20 vision after their iLASIK procedures.

What is the next step?
If you are considering iLASIK, the first step is an evaluation of your vision, with and without glasses. After the evaluation, the specialists at The Q LASIK & MED SPA will discuss your vision goals and develop a customized treatment plan designed specifically for you.

To schedule your complimentary iLASIK consultation, please call 239-466-2020.

Dr. Emmanuel Kai-Lewis
Board certified and fellowship trained cornea and refractive surgeon with more than a decade of experience, Dr. Kai is an ophthalmologist at Quigley Eye Specialists, one of the nation’s leading multispecialty ophthalmology practices. He earned his medical degree at Howard University, completed a residency at West Virginia University Eye Institute and a Cornea Fellowship at the University of Minnesota Eye Clinic, becoming an expert in cornea/external disease and refractive surgery.

Dr. Duane Wiggins
Board certified ophthalmologist and fellowship trained LASIK surgeon, Dr. Wiggins has more than 20 years of experience in LASIK and refractive surgery. Dr. Wiggins earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. After completing his residency at the Scott and White Hospital and Clinic in Temple, Texas, Dr. Wiggins became fellowship trained in laser refractive surgery at the International Eyecare Laser Center in Houston. He is also the proud recipient of the TLC Laser Vision Milestone Award.