LASIK Consultation in Anchorage | Southside Eyecare & Optical

Is LASIK Right for You?

It depends on your prescription, the thickness and shape of your cornea, and whether your prescription has held steady. An exam is the only way to know. Southside Eyecare & Optical in Anchorage evaluates you for LASIK, PRK, and refractive lens exchange (RLE) and tells you which one fits, or whether none of them does. Dr. Jacquelyn Lamigo and Dr. Christie Stemmle do your pre-op and post-op exams here and co-manage with top ophthalmologists for the surgery itself.

Request Appointment

Call 907-561-1167

Who performs the LASIK surgery?

A partnering ophthalmologist performs the surgery. At Southside Eyecare & Optical in Anchorage, our doctors do the exams that show whether you are a good candidate, refer you to a top ophthalmologist, and see you for your follow-up care after surgery.

Your Pre-Op and Post-Op Care, Close to Home

Before surgery, Dr. Lamigo and Dr. Stemmle check the things that matter for a safe result: how stable your prescription is, the thickness and shape of your cornea, your tear film, your pupil size, and your overall eye health. After surgery, you come back to us for your follow-up exams.

What Is LASIK?

LASIK is a refractive surgery that uses a laser to reshape the cornea, improving vision and reducing reliance on glasses or contact lenses. It is a quick outpatient procedure. The surgeon creates a thin flap on the cornea, reshapes the tissue underneath with a laser, and then puts the flap back in place.

LASIK can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

What Is PRK?

PRK corrects vision like LASIK does, but without creating a flap. Instead, the thin outer layer of the cornea (the epithelium) is removed, and the laser reshapes the corneal tissue directly underneath. That outer layer grows back during recovery.

Because there is no flap, PRK can be a better fit for some patients, such as people with thinner corneas. Recovery usually takes longer than with LASIK.

What Is Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)?

Refractive lens exchange, sometimes called clear lens extraction, removes the eye's natural lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). It corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, and can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts.

Because the natural lens is replaced, RLE also treats or prevents cataracts. It is often considered by people over 40, when LASIK or PRK may not be the best option.

How do I know if I'm a candidate for LASIK?

A pre-op evaluation at Southside Eyecare looks at how stable your prescription is, your corneal thickness and shape, your pupil size, your tear film, and your overall eye health. Those results show whether LASIK, PRK, or RLE makes the most sense for you.

What's the difference between LASIK and PRK?

LASIK creates a thin flap in the cornea, which usually means a faster recovery. PRK removes the outer layer of the cornea instead of making a flap. Recovery takes longer, but it can be the better choice for some patients.

Does insurance cover LASIK?

Most plans consider LASIK elective, so it usually isn't covered. Some vision plans offer discounts. Our front desk can help you check your benefits.

Schedule a LASIK Consultation

Find out if you are a candidate for refractive surgery. Call 907-561-1167 or request an appointment online.