Care without Compromise
The Eye Laser Center of Northern Colorado is committed to providing the highest quality of patient care for your laser vision correction. We take pride in our dedication to provide the most appropriate technology, thorough patient education, knowledgeable and compassionate staff and experienced surgeons.

 Go to    LASIK team  |  FAQs  |  Financing  |  Schedule a consult
 

View video testimonial. Click on the projector.

 View video testimonial. Click on the projector.

The Eye Center of Northern Colorado
is proud to be the Official LASIK Surgeons
for the Colorado Eagles.
 

The Eye Center of Northern Colorado offers a full range of refractive surgery options, including:

CustomVue LASIK: The FDA has approved the S4 for "CustomVue" LASIK. This latest advance in technology gives the physician a "fingerprint of your vision" that is a precise, more detailed analysis of your entire visual system that enables the physician to measure and correct unique imperfections in each individual's vision. The ability to custom tailor your vision correction is designed to provide you with your "personal best" possible vision.
Please use this link to visx.com for additional information and FAQs on CustomVue LASIK.

PRK  Photo-Refractive Keratectomy; reshapes the cornea in much the same way as LASIK. The outcome is consistent with LASIK: the difference is in how the treatment is applied. LASIK; a corneal flap is created and the laser treatment is applied to the inner corneal tissue. PRK; epithelium (outer skin of cornea) is removed (epithelium quickly regenerates) and the laser is applied to the surface of the cornea.

Technology
Our commitment to provide the most advanced laser technology begins with our VISX Star S4 eximer laser system. This laser system is FDA approved to provide wavescan treatments for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The Eye Center is the only laser center in Northern Colorado to have the VISX S4 (non-mobile) on site.

ActiveTrak 3-D Eye Tracker: The slightest movements of your eye are actively tracked by infrared cameras to more accurately deliver the laser treatment.

ActiveTrak 3-D Automatic Centering: This feature of the tracking system enables your doctor to precisely identify the center of your pupil and keep the laser centered to within 50 microns (about the width of a human hair) even if your eye moves.

Variable spot scanning (VSS): The variable spot gives the doctor greater flexibility to personalize your laser vision correction by allowing for a larger treatment area. (This is important when pupil size is a consideration).

Iris Registration:
A new level of precision in treatment alignment is possible with Iris Registration (IR) , the first FDA approved , fully automated, non-contact method of alignment of the correct Custom Vue treatment. IR ensures delivery of the treatment to the correct area of the cornea. The need for secondary treatments (enhancements) has been greatly reduced by the IR technology.

LASIK Alternatives:

Conductive Keratoplasty  (CK)
The first FDA approved refractive technology for improving the loss of near vision that accompanies presbyopia.  MyClearVision.com

Phakic IOLs: There are alternatives for severely nearsighted or farsighted patients who may not be candidates for LASIK. An Implantable contact lens (ICL) can be placed between the iris and crystalline (natural) lens. These lenses are based on many years of research and development in adapting the proven technology of the IOL used in cataract surgery.
Unlike cataract surgery, the natural lens is not removed.

 

I wanted the best facility and doctors I could find in Colorado. As nearsighted as I was, I needed the best.  I found what I was looking for at the Eye Center of Northern Colorado. I am just in awe of the clarity of my vision. Thank you, Dr. Smith, and thanks to all your staff, for the wonderful vision I now enjoy. I would recommend them to anyone who is considering LASIK surgery.

Linda B.
Fort Collins

Meet your LASIK surgeons
 

Randall Smith, M.D.    Karl Olsen, M.D.    Matthew Robinson, M.D.    Gary Foster, M.D.
Click on one of the surgeons for his bio
 

FAQs :

What is refractive surgery?
Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a surgical procedure performed to eliminate and/or reduce the need for glasses and contacts. A cool beam laser is used to reshape the corneal surface to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmtism.
Normal

Normal Eye
Clear vision in the normal eye is the result of light rays passing through the cornea, pupil and lens and focusing directly upon the retina.


Nearsightedness   "Myopia "  
This occurs when the cornea is too curved or the eye is too long. This causes light to focus in front of the retina, resulting in blurry distance vision.


Farsightedness   "Hyperopia"
This occurs when the cornea is too flat in relation to the length of the eye. This causes light to focus at a point beyond the retina, resulting in blurry close vision and sometimes blurry distance vision.

Astigmatism
This occurs when the cornea is shaped like a football, more curved in one direction than the other and often occurs with nearsightedness and farsightedness. This causes light not to focus on any point, resulting in blurry and distorted vision.

How do I know if I am a good candidate for refractive surgery?
The Eye Center offers free consultations. After a thorough eye exam, your surgeon will determine if you are a good candidate. Many factors go into the determination of candidacy, including healthy corneas, a stable prescription for at least one year, and an age of at least 18 years.

Does it hurt?
Your eyes are numbed with anesthetic eye drops. Some patients feel a pressure sensation during the procedure.

What are the risks?
As with any medical procedure, some risks are involved with LASIK surgery. Risks for LASIK surgery include but are not limited to: glare, halos, under-correction, over-correction, and infection. During your consultation, your surgeon can talk in depth about the risks associated with laser vision correction.

How long is the recovery period?
Most people are able to resume their normal activities the next day.

Will insurance pay for laser vision correction?
Most insurance companies do not pay for LASIK surgery.

Are there any side effects?
For the first 2-4 hours after LASIK surgery, you may experience light sensitivity, tearing, or a mild stinging sensation. Dry eyes can be a temporary side effect, which can be decreased with the use of artificial tears.

Will I need reading glasses if I am over 40?
LASIK can reduce the need for reading glasses with monovision but there may be occasions when reading glasses are necessary. With monovision correction one eye is corrected for distance vision and the other eye is corrected for near vision. During your free consultation, your doctor can demonstrate what monovision would look like based on your prescription.

Will I be able to blink my eye during the procedure?
No. A device is used to hold your eyelids open, which will prevent you from blinking.

What if I move my eye?
The VISX Star System will track you eye movement for excellent centration. The Eye Center also incorporates Iris Registration (IR) technology into your treatment. IR greatly reduces any problem that might be incurred by eye movement during treatment.

How much does it cost?
Our prices begin at $1595.00 per eye. CustomVue LASIK costs $1,995.00 per eye.
Included in the fee are the following:
          Pre-op care (sometimes more than one pre-op is necessary)
          Post-op care for one year
          Enhancements for two years
          Surgeon's fee
          Facility fee

When do I pay?
Payment is due in full the day of your procedure. The Eye Laser Center accepts cash, check, and most major credit cards.

Do you have a financing plan?
Call 221-2343 for more information, or we can give you more specific information and an application during your consultation.

Can I use my flexible spending or cafeteria plan money to pay for laser vision correction?
Yes. You can use your pre-tax dollars to pay for LASIK surgery. However, we suggest you come in for a free consultation to determine if you are a candidate before you set aside your pre-tax dollars.

What if I need an enhancement?
If you and your surgeon decide an enhancement is necessary, a second laser treatment will be done at no charge if it is within two years of your original procedure.

Can my optometrist perform refractive surgery?
Only medical doctors are licensed to perform laser vision correction. However, your optometrist can manage your consultation, pre-op and post-op care while your surgeon will perform your surgery.

What is the next step?
Call our laser vision coordinator to schedule your free consultation @
(970) 221-2343, or email us at Eye Center of Northern Colorado Laser.

Financing:

                          Click to proceed
 

+ A flexible monthly payment plan
+ Competitive rates
+ No prepayment penalty

Schedule a consult

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