Make YOUR eyes smile again!

The First Step Toward LASIK Eye Surgery

The first step toward LASIK Eye Surgery is to schedule a complimentary evaluation with Dr. Sibley or Dr. Shriver.  Please call 727-895-2020 to schedule your LASIK evaluation.

The LASIK Surgery Evaluation

• A full-dilated exam and topography (corneal mapping). 

• Note for contact lenses wearers - please refrain from use 1-2 weeks prior to your evaluation.  This allows for the most accurate reading of the corneal thickness, shape and prescription.

Our doctors are conservative physicians with strict guidelines regarding the ideal candidates for LASIK.  Their outcomes are excellent because they take every precaution.  If you are a candidate for LASIK, then you will meet with the technician for scheduling your surgery. 

LASIK Surgery is performed at The Laser Center in Tampa.

For more information call Florida Eye Center at 727-895-2020.

Benefits of LASIK / Laser Surgery

LASIK Eye Surgery offers a number of benefits over other forms of laser vision correction because it is performed under a protective layer of corneal tissue.  That corneal tissue acts as a bandage during the healing process. 

As a result, there is less surface area to heal, less risk of scarring, less risk of corneal haze, less postoperative discomfort, less postoperative need for medications, and vision returns more rapidly, often within a day or so. 

LASIK can also treat a higher range of vision errors. 

1. Feeling better - Improved vision contributes to the total health and general youthful feeling that comes from clear vision and an alert mind.

2. Look better - People who see better are more alert, attentive, and take care of their personal appearance better, including smiling with the joy of their new vision.

3. Reduce stress - Poor vision is a proven stress factor.  Restored vision after LASIK is a proven stress reducer.  Therefore, you have reduced stress without tranquilizers and their side-effects.

4. Enjoy greater energy - People with poor vision are less physically active.  Improved vision may bring more energy.  Think of how much more you could do and enjoy in every precious hour, day, and the rest of your life.

5. Gain confidence - When you see better, look better and feel better, you will feel better about yourself too - personally, professional, and socially.  This is a beautiful bonus of your improved vision.

6. Think sharper - Scientific studies show that mental alertness and memory are directly related to the health of your five senses, especially vision.  Patients with improved vision may benefit from a clearer, sharper mind as well.

7. Reduce the risks of injury - People with poor vision have poor depth perception and side vision and are more prone to falling or driver's accidents that can hurt themselves or others.  Do not risk your life or health with poor vision when it can be improved with LASIK treatment.

8. Reduce the rise of other health problems - Research has shown that other illnesses are less frequent in active, alert people.  This could mean that diabetic problems, back pain, fatigue, and senility may not occur until much later in life when you have clear vision.

9. Maintain your strength and avoid disability - Clear vision from LASIK will restore your confidence and depth perception to allow you to remain active.  This strengthens bones and ligaments to help prevent crippling arthritis.  This is especially important for women to avoid osteoporosis.

10. Aging symptoms may be postponed - Increased physical activity with better vision/slows down many of the symptoms of aging, helping to keep your muscle tone, energy, and "youth" longer.

11. Add years to your life - People who have had their vision restored with LASIK are more physically active and are less prone to falling or driving accidents.  These people generally live longer while enjoying a higher quality of life that comes with better vision and good health.

For more information call Florida Eye Center at 727-895-2020.

Congratulations, you are one step closer to setting the date and throwing away your glasses and/or contact lenses!

The Florida Eye Center believes you deserve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  Everyone wants and desires clear vision.  Our goal is to offer it to you!  We know our patients need an available option of payment solutions to meet their eye care needs.

You deserve LASIK Laser Vision Correction to give you clear vision and the appearance you desire without glasses or contact lenses.

The staff will be glad to discuss the above programs which give you choices, ease of use, flexibility and the most attractive terms.

For more information call Florida Eye Center at 727-895-2020.

• Arrive at the Laser Center one (1) hour prior to your procedure to register and sign your consent forms. 

• Dress warm, any article of clothing with fuzz, (i.e., sweaters) are not allowed. 

Once registration is completed, you will be escorted to have a topography (corneal mapping) done.  We do an additional mapping to verify there have been no significant changes since the evaluation.  Following the mapping, the technician will take you to an exam room to get you ready for the procedure.  you will be given eye drops and Valium starting 30 minutes before your surgery.  The eye drops are a combination of an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory (for precautionary measures), the Valium is for any nervousness that may occur.  Once the drops have been started, the technician will go over your postoperative instructions including reminding you of your follow up the next morning Florida Eye Center.  Next, the technician will put your hair in a bonnet and wash your eye area with Betadine.  Now you are ready for surgery.

A surgical assistant will come and escort you to the Laser suite, they will help you onto the table and make sure you are comfortable and in position.  The assistant will also patch the left eye to start and give you an anesthetic drop in the right eye.  The doctor will make final position changes and explain all that you will see and hear.  During surgery, your only task is to focus on the blinking red light, the doctor and the laser will do the rest.  The next step is to keep your eye lashes out of the way, for that they use a band-aid type product to tape them up.  Once they are on, the doctor will use a speculum to hold open the eyelids.  This is uncomfortable for the first 30-45 seconds until another anesthetic drop is used, taking away that feeling.  The doctor will then use a marking instrument to mark the cornea.  This allows the doctor to replace the cornea in the exact position when the surgery is completed.  The next step is to create the flap.  For this the doctor will use a micro-keratome, an instrument to cut a perfectly uniform 225-degree circular flap, this will be the only part of the surgery when you cannot see.  Once the flap is created, the doctor will lift the flap out of the way.  The laser (preprogrammed from all the measurements taken during the evaluation) will finish the treatment; you will hear a tapping sound from the laser.  When the laser is finished, the doctor will replace the flap, smooth it out and use more antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops.  Then the doctor will move on to the left eye, following the same procedure.

After the left eye is complete, the surgical assistant and the doctor will help you sit up.  Then they will ask what seems like an impossible question; to read the clock on the wall across the room, and amazingly, you can.  That is the beauty of LASIK, instant gratification.  The surgical assistant will help you into the postoperative room and place clear shields over your eyes; this is to protect them until your appointment with the doctor the next morning.  After about 15-30 minutes, the doctor will come in and go over the postoperative instructions again, and send you home. 

Postoperative LASIK Eye Surgery

Following your postoperative appointment you will have drops to use, and you will need to wear the shields to bed for one week.  We ask that you refrain from wearing eye make-up for a week, and to replace the make-up you are currently using.  You may not rub your eyes for at least one (1) month.  Artificial tears will be given to you.  Following LASIK the eyes tend to be drier than normal, this is not permanent and everyone is different on how long it lasts. 

• 1 Day

• 1 Week

• 1 Month

• 3 Months

• 6 Months

• 1 Year

• and any time in between if needed.

For more information call Florida Eye Center at 727-895-2020.

For more information call Florida Eye Center at 727-895-2020.

Make YOUR eyes smile again ...