an optometrist sees more clearly:
Dr. Chris

Dr. Chris, a Canadian optometrist, has been treating patients for nearly 20 years with eyeglasses and contacts to help them see better. However, a new trend is occurring in his practice, and he has undergone the CustomCornea® procedure himself.

"Once my patients learn that I had laser vision correction surgery, they put their pen down, so to speak, and decide that maybe they're not here for a new contacts prescription. They no longer want to talk about their eyeglasses or contacts-they want to hear my story. By having had the procedure myself, I am able to lend my own personal experience, which has added an immeasurable amount of credibility to the procedure."

The 44-year-old doctor had worn eyeglasses since the 7th grade and had considered having LASIK for years, but he knew the procedure could have some drawbacks.

"People have had great results with conventional LASIK, but I knew that advances in the technology were coming along sooner, rather than later. What really sold me on CustomCornea® was seeing the results in my patients. I couldn't believe how good the outcomes were."

Many patients fear the procedure is painful or may cause discomfort. However, now that Dr. Chris has had the procedure himself, he can inform his patients of his pain-free experience. "I've had much worse trips to the dentist," he reports.

Since his surgery, Dr. Chris has realized that the procedure is not just about cosmetics, as many people think, but it's also about safety and function.

"For me, as an optometrist, after looking through scopes for hours on end, my contacts caused my eyes to become so dried out by the end of the day. I would then put on my eyeglasses only to begin bumping into all of my equipment. It was really frustrating. So, from that aspect alone, I'm happy I went ahead and had the surgery."

He also explains that it has not only helped him at work, but it has also improved his lifestyle.

"I workout on a regular basis, and our family practically resides in the swimming pool all summer long. Now, I don't have to worry about my contacts clouding up at the gym any more. Even more importantly, I no longer have to fear losing sight of my kids around the pool."

Dr. Chris is seeing 20/20 in both eyes and says he now sees better than he did with contacts.

"This is such a great procedure. You can't imagine the quality of vision you will achieve until you experience it firsthand. If you've been considering LASIK, but are on the fence in your decision-making process waiting for better technology to arrive, this is what you've been waiting on—the time is now."

Results may vary and some people may still need to wear corrective lenses after LASIK. As with any medical procedure, there are risks involved with having LASIK eye treatment and not everyone is a good candidate for the procedure. Your eye doctor can discuss LASIK's risks and benefits with you, and help you determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK eye treatment.