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Your . Your health. Your choice.

Is LASIK right for me? Vision correction and you

Your health is important, and today approved laser vision correction Common eyesight problems you have more options than ever for technology in October 1995, after maintaining it. With advances in more than 10 years of clinical trials. Nearsightedness () technology, more and more people are Since then, more than seven million If you’re nearsighted, you can see things now considered excellent candidates Americans have chosen laser vision up close, but things far away appear blurry. for laser vision correction. correction. The majority of these Nearsightedness can be corrected by LASIK. procedures are done using LASIK, But people’s eyes differ, and not every though other options exist. Farsightedness (hyperopia) procedure is appropriate for everyone. If you’re farsighted, you can see far away things How do you decide if laser vision better than those up close. Farsightedness can correction is right for you? Having What eyesight problems can be corrected by LASIK. helped more than half a million people LASIK solve? through this process, we at LasikPlus have a lot of information to share. LASIK is designed to correct If you have astigmatism, you have a distortion We’ve put together a guide designed nearsightedness, farsightedness of vision that causes overall blurriness. to help you make the best decision for and astigmatism. Another common Astigmatism can be corrected by LASIK. your eyes—and your life. vision problem, , is not correctable, but depending on a Presbyopia combination of factors, adjustments Presbyopia is an age-related vision problem What is laser vision correction? can be made to reduce its effects. that typically begins after age 40 and eventually affects everyone. Your eye’s lens loses the Today, safe and effective surgical elasticity it needs to focus on close-up objects. options exist to correct or adjust for a It is not correctable, though it can be adjusted number of vision problems, including for using LASIK. nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, , and even presbyopia. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first

2 LASIK is not for everyone

Am I a good candidate for LASIK? What about presbyopia The LasikPlus no-cost, no-obligation (age-related farsightedness)? comprehensive LASIK eye exam Rapid advances in technology mean more and more people are excellent For some time eye doctors have • Thorough discussion of your eye health and candidates for laser vision correction. prescribed Monovision contact lenses . How do you know if you’re one for patients with presbyopia who do • Complete LASIK eye examination, including of them? Generally, you are a good not want to use bifocals or reading dilation. candidate if: . Monovision contact lenses • Past spectacle measurement. correct one eye for distance vision, • Computer analysis of your specific visual • You are at least 18 years old. and correct the other eye for seeing impairment. • You are in good general health. close-up. While Monovision lenses • Measurements of your ’s thickness • You have had a stable vision can take a bit of getting used to, most and topography. prescription for at least one year. often the and the eyes quickly • Measurements of your size. • You are not pregnant, and have not adjust and patients report excellent • Wavefront measurements (high resolution been pregnant or nursing in the last 6 satisfaction. analysis of your eye’s aberrations.) months. • A discussion with you about your best LASIK Monovision uses the same options. If you meet these qualifications, you approach, except that LASIK — rather can schedule a comprehensive LASIK than contact lenses ­— is used to eye exam. After the exam, you and correct one eye for distance vision and your doctor can discuss whether you the other eye for seeing close-up. are a good candidate for LASIK. LASIK Monovision is a safe, effective, and long-term option, although some patients report less than perfect vision When is LASIK not an option? and/or slightly decreased depth perception following surgery. If you LASIK will probably not be have presbyopia, talk to your doctor recommended for people who do about options. not meet all of the criteria listed above. In addition, LASIK may not be the best option for those whose Can I still correct my vision if LASIK cornea is too thin for the amount of is not right for me? reshaping required, and for individuals at significant occupational or While LASIK is the most common recreational risk for corneal trauma. form of laser vision correction, there Again, the only way to know for sure may be other options that are better is to have a comprehensive LASIK eye for your unique situation. Non-LASIK exam with a qualified eye doctor. procedures include lens implants and other forms of laser vision correction such as Photoreactive Keratectomy (PRK), Epi-LASIK and LASEK. If your doctor recommends a non-LASIK alternative for you, be sure you understand exactly why the procedure is best for your particular needs. You may call one of our LasikPlus specialists at 1-866-731-7587 to discuss any questions you

Individuals appearing in this brochure are paid professionals. may have.

3 What to expect from LASIK

How exactly does LASIK work?

LASIK is a minimally-invasive, virtually Parts of the eye painless procedure conducted on an outpatient basis in a vision center or an eye surgeon’s office. During LASIK, a very thin flap of corneal tissue is lifted from the surface of the eye. A laser Iris: The colored portion of the eye, the iris uses then uses cool beams of in short tiny muscles to widen and narrow the pupil. to reshape the corneal tissue so Laser vision correction does not directly impact that it focuses light on the retina. After the iris. the reshaping, the flap is replaced, where it reattaches without the need for stitches or eye patches. Pupil: The dark opening at the center of the iris, the pupil opens and closes to admit the right How long will my LASIK vision amount of light to the eye. A careful check of correction last? your pupil size should be part of any pre-proce- dure eye exam. LASIK and other forms of laser vision correction are designed to offer long-term vision correction. However, everyone’s eyes change over time and Cornea: The clear front of the eye, the cornea is some patients will in time require most responsible for focusing light on the retina. retreatment or other vision correction Laser vision correction sculpts the cornea to methods. Studies on laser vision ensure the focal point of the light falls on the correction procedures to date— correct point on the retina. sponsored by the FDA and other independent government organiza- tions—show excellent vision stability for more than a decade following Corneal epithelium: This is the thin, protective treatment. layer of cells over the cornea that is lifted during LASIK. The regenerative epithelium mends itself quickly without stitches. Is LASIK safe?

Laser vision correction is extremely safe when performed by qualified Lens: The elastic lens becomes thicker and doctors on appropriate candidates. As thinner to help the cornea focus light rays. The with any surgical procedure, there are lens of the eye is not altered during laser vision risks and there can be complications, correction. but they are unlikely. In fact, laser vision correction carries less risk of infection than wearing contacts. Retina: The thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye, the retina sends the electrical signals What is the LASIK procedure like? to the brain that make us see things. Laser vision correction does not alter the retina. Laser vision correction usually takes between 5 and 10 minutes for each eye, with the actual laser treatment lasting between 5 seconds and 2 4 minutes. Eye drop anesthesia is used These usually go away within weeks or Resuming your normal activities to numb the eyes; no injections are months, and may occur more often in after LASIK necessary. Patients experience virtually patients with larger and higher no discomfort during the procedure, degrees of myopia and/or astigmatism. After the first day though immediately afterward, some • reading patients report minor discomfort, like Serious and/or long-lasting side-effects • computer work having an eyelash or a dry resulting are rare, but may include • watching television in their eye. This sensation generally over-response or under-response to • returning to work disappears quickly. Improvement in treatment; corneal infection; loss of • light exercise your vision is usually immediate, and best-corrected ; thinning of continues over the days and weeks the cornea (ectasia), and flap complica- After the first week following the procedure. tions. Be sure to discuss any questions • exercise, except contact sports you have about possible risks and • wearing eye makeup complications with your surgeon Are there side effects from LASIK before your procedure. After two weeks and other laser vision corrections? • strenuous exercise • swimming, hot tubs Although rare, possible side effects How soon can I resume my normal • contact sports vary depending on the type of activities? • lawn mowing, gardening and other procedure, equipment used, and the outdoor activities amount of correction required. The It is recommended that you have most common side effects—which a friend or family member drive you After three weeks typically resolve themselves in the home after LASIK. You should be given • scuba diving days and weeks following the shields, goggles or glasses and should procedure—include surface irritation, take a 2-4 hour nap with them on. For dry eyes, glare or increased sensitivity the first 24 hours following surgery, to bright light and blurred vision. Some protect your eyes by restricting patients experience night vision activities to minimal, restful things. problems (halos). After the first day, you may begin resuming normal activities. Continue to protect your eyes from anything that might get into them. Your vision may fluctuate day to day: this is typical as your eyes heal. It may take 3-6 months for your vision to stabilize. Attend all post-operative evaluations scheduled by your medical team.

At LasikPlus Vision Centers, our medical teams do not recommend LASIK for approximately 20% of the candidates who come to us for their comprehensive LASIK eye evaluation. Choosing a lifetime of eye health

How do I support my vision and eye How do I choose a LASIK provider? health for life? Although elective, laser vision To support your long-term eye health, correction is a serious medical it’s important to visit your eye care procedure and should be performed physician regularly. And, like everyone, by a qualified doctor of people with corrected vision should experienced in laser vision correction. take good care of their eyes, keeping Your choice of a provider should them free of irritants and protecting incorporate the reputation of the them from injury or trauma. practice, the LASIK technology used and the surgeon’s skill and experience. You should feel comfortable asking a provider questions such as where did you receive your medical degree? How many procedures have you performed? Is there a long-term satisfaction plan in case of necessary enhancements? Be sure you understand your options and don’t ever let yourself feel rushed or pressured to make a decision.

At LasikPlus, we offer a Lifetime Satisfaction Plan®. If eligible, you will be covered for issues related to your laser vision correction procedure, including:

• Free unlimited check-ups for one year after your procedure.

• Free follow-up enhancement if the desired correction is not achieved and the LasikPlus medical team is confident that a second procedure will likely improve the outcome.

• Free enhancements for life if your vision drops below 20/40 (or a comparable deterioration if you were not correctable to 20/20 at the time of treatment.)

See the LasikPlus Lifetime Satisfaction Plan® for complete details.

6 The practicalities of LASIK

Can I afford LASIK? Is financing available? How do I find Employer-assisted financing for LASIK out about financing options? The price of laser correction vision Some companies offer programs to help cover surgery varies significantly by provider, Several financing companies offer the costs of vision correction. Talk to your type of procedure and equipment plans with fixed rates and long-term human resources or benefits manager. used. Remember that laser vision payments. Most LASIK surgery centers correction procedures are intended and medical practices work with one • Employer co-pay programs: some large to achieve long-term vision correction. of these companies to offer a financing companies now offer to cover at least If you consider the cost of glasses or plan. Ask your LASIK provider for more a percentage of the costs of a LASIK contact lenses over time, the numbers information. procedure. compare quite favorably. • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): an employer-sponsored benefit that allows Is LASIK covered by my insurance? you to deduct a percentage of your paycheck and use that money to pay for eligible Most vision insurance plans don’t medical expenses on a pre-tax basis. Laser cover laser vision correction surgery. vision correction is currently an eligible FSA However, some employers make expense under IRS guidelines. arrangements with a LASIK center to offer service to employees at a special • Health Spending Accounts (HSAs): a tax- price. You may also qualify for a tax deferred, interest-bearing savings account deduction for vision correction surgery: used to pay for unreimbursed health care check with your accountant. expenses. Many patients use their HSAs for laser vision correction.

Financing options available through LasikPlus

• Low monthly payments, no down payment, and no interest for 24 months.*

• Low monthly payments, no down payment, and low interest with plans up to 60 months.**

• Other financing options available to fit your budget.

• Simple, fast and confidential application process.

7 I might be interested: what’s next? The LasikPlus offer: a free comprehensive

The next step is to visit LasikPlus for a LASIK eye exam and consultation comprehensive LASIK eye exam and consultation to determine whether Call 1-866-731-7587 (en español 1-866-921-2394) you are a good candidate for LASIK. Your doctor will review your personal situation with you and determine what the best options are for your vision and your long-term eye health.

©2009 LCA-Vision Inc. LasikPlus is a trademark of LCA-Vision, Inc. Surgeons are independent doctors of ophthalmology providing services for LasikPlus. In most states, businesses not exclusively owned by physicians are prohibited from practicing medicine. In those states, LasikPlus and LasikPlus Vision Center exclusively provide management services to affiliated physician practices. For those states, references in this advertisement to LasikPlus or LasikPlus Vision Center are not intended to suggest that LasikPlus or LasikPlus Vision Center provide medical services. FL residents: The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment or be reimbursed for payment for any service, examination or treatment that is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted fee or reduced fee service, examination or treatment.

*Offer is subject to credit approval. No finance charges will be assessed if the amount in full is paid by the due date. If it is not, finance charges will be assessed on the purchase price from the date of purchase at a variable APR of 22.99% (as of Nov. 6, 2008, subject to market changes). A minimum monthly payment of 3% of the balance is required and your payment can be $59.94 per month for a Traditional VISX treatment. Other financing options are available—call for details. Offer is subject to change.

**Offer is subject to credit approval. Valid on purchases of $1,000 or more on 24, 36, 48 months and $2,500 or more on 60 month plan made on CareCredit account. On promo purchase, fixed monthly payments equal to 4.7966% for 24 months, 3.4129% for 36 months, 2.7276% for 48 months and, 2.3216% for 60 months required, but finance charges will be applied to promo balance at a reduced fixed daily periodic rate of .03808% (ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE 13.90%) if (1) promo purchase paid in full in 24, 36, 48, or 60 months, (2) any minimum monthly payments on account paid when due, and (3) account balance does not exceed credit limit. Otherwise, promo may be terminated. Standard terms apply to non-promo purchases, optional charges & existing accounts.