There are different techniques, each with their own benefits and risks. Dr. Logothetis will help you determine, based on your circumstances and needs, which of the following types of laser vision correction may be right for you:

LASIK

This type of surgery is the most well known and most commonly performed. It was first approved by the FDA in 1998 and has maintained its popularity with patients and surgeons.

Performed in Lake County, Dr. Logothetis uses a femtosecond laser to create a thin, smooth flap in the cornea. Then, he uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea and correct one’s prescription. After the cornea is precisely reshaped into the desired contour, Dr. Logothetis will return the flap to its original position and smooth the edges. After two to three minutes, the flap will attach on its own and begin healing.

Greater than 99% of patients who have LASIK have somewhere between 20/20 and 20/40 vision after surgery. Discomfort is minimal, although it is recommended to take a nap or relax for the rest of the day. You may need to wear a transparent plastic shield over the eye, to prevent you from rubbing your eye and causing the flap to shift out of place before it heals.

Vision recovery usually takes place in one or two days, and most patients are able to drive to their ophthalmologist's office for their follow up visit the next day.

Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE)

SMILE is the latest addition to the refractive surgeon’s tool box. It is currently FDA-approved to treat most cases of myopia and astigmatism. It cannot correct hyperopia.

This technique uses a femtosecond laser to make a disc-shaped piece of corneal tissue (lenticule) within the cornea. A small corneal incision is made in your cornea, giving Dr. Logothetis access to the lenticule. He will then gently dissect and remove the lenticule from the cornea, thereby correcting your prescription.

Since SMILE does not involve cutting a flap in the cornea as LASIK does, it is a good option for those with an active lifestyle or career who may be concerned about any problems with a corneal flap. Studies also show that over the first 6 months after surgery, SMILE patients report less dry eye symptoms than LASIK patients.

People who have SMILE are able to do most of their daily tasks without corrective lenses. It takes several days and weeks of healing before you achieve optimal results, and your vision may be blurry right after surgery.

Photorefactive Keractectomy (PRK)

With PRK, Dr. Logothetis scrapes away the layer of cells that cover the surface of the cornea (corneal epithelium). An excimer laser is then used to reshape the corneal surface and correct your prescription. Over the course of four to five days, the corneal abrasion heals. As you heal, your vision will gradually begin to improve. It can take several months to achieve optimum results.

PRK is recommended for patients who may not be good candidates for LASIK surgery. Those with active lifestyles who may have concerns about accidentally dislodging a corneal flap via trauma. If you play contact sports or have a career in the military or law enforcement, PRK may be the better option for you.

PRK traditionally has a longer healing and recovery time.

Yes, refractive surgery cannot correct the age-related loss of close-up vision known as presbyopia. Whether or not you have laser vision correction, you will likely need reading glasses once you are over 40. Presbyopia is one of the most common reasons patients come to see Dr. Logothetis, and if you’re experiencing symptoms, he will thoroughly explain to you the various modalities that exist to correct it.

Before deciding on laser vision correction, it is important to have a clear understanding of the procedure. Dr. Logothetis is a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist who is a LASIK patient himself. He completed one of the most prestigious refractive surgery fellowships in the country, putting him in a very select group of surgeons who have completed similar training. He uniquely understands the questions and concerns patients might have before laser correction surgery, and takes pride in using his expertise and personal experience to educate patients on all of the refractive surgery options.

Unlike some higher volume practices, Dr. Logothetis will be with you on your laser vision correction journey from start to finish. You can rest assured that your surgeon will be educating you and facilitating your experience through the end.

Considered an expert in refractive surgery, Dr. Logothetis has published and presented on various topics in the field. He has been performing SMILE since 2018, making him the earliest adopter of the procedure in Lake County and the Chicagoland area.