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Frequently Asked Questions

Q How long have you been performing refractive surgery?
A 9 Years
Q How many refractive procedures have you performed total, excluding mechanical surgeries like RK, ALK, and AK?
A 10,000+
Q How many refractive procedures have you performed in the last 12 months?
A 2500+
Q How many refractive procedures of the exact type you intend to use for me, with the same equipment, and the same refractive error, have you performed?
A Depends what your procedure requires. If choosing LASIK the answer will be in the thousands

William F. Wiley, MD
Board Certified Ophthalmologist
Q What percent of your refractive surgery patients receive Snellen Uncorrected Visual Acuity (UCVA) of 20/40 or better?
A 95+ percent based on our tracked results in Refractive Surgery Elite Software
Q What percent of your refractive surgery patients receive UCVA of 20/20 or better?
A This depends on the pre-operative prescription. But in general 90+% achieve 20/20 or better vision based on our tracked results.
Q What percent of your refractive surgery patients report unresolved complications six months after surgery? This includes objective and subjective complications such as halos, starbursts, dry eye, etc.
A Less than 3%
Q What percentage of refractive surgery candidates do you decline?
A 15-30%
Q Have you had a successful refractive surgery malpractice claim of greater than $30,000?
A No
Q Will you perform a Wavefront technology diagnostic (not Wavefront guided ablation) of my higher order aberrations prior to recommending refractive surgery?
A Yes We have 3 different Wavefront diagnostic machines (most centers only have 1)
Q What percentage of your pervious patients have had enhancement surgery?
A Less than 5%
  Our Enhancement policy is described in detail in the screening exam.
Q What is the worst refractive surgery outcome experienced by your own patient? How was it handled?
A Severe postoperative inflammation which required appropriate diagnostic tests and timely treatment. Treatment required “washing” the inflammation cells out with saline solution. The patient ultimately achieved 20/20 vision.
Q If you intend to use an Excimer laser, is it broad-beam, variable spot, or flying spot?
A We use 3 different Excimer lasers with 4 different modalities. A broad-beam, a variable spot, a slit scanning laser, and a flying spot.
Q Have you ever had malpractice insurance coverage denied?
A No
Q Are you currently under investigation by the agency that provides the license that allows you to perform refractive surgery?
A No
Q Has this license ever been revoked, suspended, or otherwise restricted?
A No
Q Are you on any sort of license probation?
A No
Q Have you ever had hospital or surgical facility privileges revoked?
A No
Q Have you ever had your Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) certification revoked, suspended, or otherwise restricted?
A No
Q Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
A No
Q Have you ever been arrested for being under the influence of, or in the possession of, any controlled substance?
A No
Q Have you ever been treated for substance abuse or mental illness as an adult?
A No
Q Have your ever been refused participation as a provider in a health insurance plan?
A No
Q Is the laser and equipment you will use specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the recommended procedure and intended parameters?
A Our lasers are FDA approved.
If the treatment required is outside the range of FDA approval, we will consider performing the treatment if it is accepted as the “standard of care”.
Q If an enhancement surgery is required, what will you charge for the additional procedure?
A There is no charge for any enhancement surgery for the first year after surgery. If an enhancement surgery is required after the 12 months following the initial surgery, there would be a $500 per eye fee. We also offer a Lifetime Enhancement Policy that can be purchased for $299 that covers both eyes in the event that a an enhancement surgery is required. Details will be discussed at the initial Consultation.
Q If another doctor will be co-managing pre- and/or postoperative care, can I see you at any time without my co-managing doctor’s authorization?
A Yes
Q What should I expect my vision to be like for the first few weeks after surgery?
A Your vision may experience minor fluctuations, regression, minor halos, minor star bursting, etc. These side-effects may occur, but normally resolve during the six-month healing process.
Q Will you perform a complete refractive examination including evaluating the medical health of my eyes both before and after surgery?
A Yes
Q Will my vision fluctuate after surgery? How long is the healing period?
A YES, Refractive surgery is more of a six-month process than a 20-Minute Miracle even though it is possible you will have perfect vision immediately after surgery.
Q Will you perform a contrast sensitivity test before and after the surgery?
A No. We offer custom Intralase treatment which has been proven to help decrease the loss of contrast sensitivity that may be experienced with LASIK surgery.
Q Will you perform a glare sensitivity test before and after the surgery?
A Possibly. We do check for Glare if a patient is showing signs of cataract formation.
Q Will you perform corneal topography before and after the surgery?
A Yes, we have 3 different corneal topography devices to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. Most centers only have one device.
Q If you recommend Lasik, will you use a laser to create the flap or a mechanical microkeratome?
A We offer both Blade and Laser flap creation.
The Femtosecond laser (Intralase) may be a better alternative than a flap created with a blade, however not many doctors have this equipment and it is not always be required. Like the different types of Excimer lasers, it may be that only a laser created flap will be appropriate or a Microkeratome created flap will be fine. Discuss this with your doctor.
Q Will you perform a test to determine tear volume (Schirmer) and tear breakup test (TBUT) prior to making a recommendation about surgery?
A If we determine there are signs of dry eye, we perform a complete dry eye examination and offer treatment.
Q Will you measure the size of my pupils when naturally dilated in a dimly lit room prior to making a recommendation about surgery?
A Yes
Q Will you use a different Microkeratome blade (Lasik only) for each eye?
A Typically we use one blade for both eyes if we perform a Microkeratome. If this is a concern, the patient should opt for Intralase.
Q Will you require me to be without contacts for a period of time before the examination that will determine final calculations for surgery? What is this period of time?
A Yes. The amount of time is dependant on the shape of your eyes, and the type of contact lenses you used.
Q Will my treatment prescription be based on Cyclopegic refractive error as well as manifest refractive error?
A Yes
Q Will you measure the thickness of my cornea prior to making a recommendation about surgery?
A Yes. We have 3 different ways to check this measurement.
Q If an Excimer laser is to be used, what size will be the optical ablation zone not including the transition zone? Is this larger or smaller than my naturally dilated pupil?
A We have three different lasers with multiple different optical zones. We choose the zone based on your pupil size and based on the corneal thickness.
Custom Wavefront guided LASIK gives the best chance for the largest optical zone with the least amount of tissue removed.
Q Is a patient with more than ten diopters myopia, more than three diopters hyperopia, or more than two diopters astigmatism a good candidate for refractive surgery?
A Although correction at these levels can be accomplished, someone with this level of refractive error is not an "ideal" candidate and has a lower than average probability of success.
Q How often and when will you perform postoperative examinations?
A Typically, Day after surgery, around one week after surgery, about a month after surgery, three months and then 6 months after surgery.
Q When will you provide me with a copy of your written informed consent?
A During the screening process or when you ask for one.
Q Will you provide contacts for me to wear to simulate monovision prior to surgery? How long will you want me to wear these contacts before I make my decision about monovision?
A Yes. We will give you the amount of time you desire to make your decision on monovision.
Q Will you provide me the names and contact information of at least ten previous patients who have had the exact same surgery with similar refractive error?
A Upon request we can provide this for you.
Q Will you allow me to observe a surgery?
A Yes
Q Does my occupation, leisure activities, and hobbies have any bearing on my candidacy for refractive surgery?
A Yes, People who require exacting and detailed vision or rely heavily on good low light vision are possibly not good candidates for refractive surgery and should be screened appropriately.
Q Does my general medical and medication history have any bearing on my candidacy for refractive surgery?
A Yes. Some conditions that have nothing to do with the eyes may complicate some types of refractive surgery.
Q Does being pregnant or contemplating pregnancy have any bearing on my candidacy for refractive surgery?
A Yes. Fluctuations in refractive error are often related to pregnancy and lactation.
Q Who will pay for multiple corrective lenses if I experience fluctuation in visual acuity while healing?
A In General, the patient is required to pay for this.
Q Are there any reasons why I would not have excellent refractive surgery results?
A Ask this upon completion of the eye exam.
Q What certification do you hold, if any, from the American Board of Ophthalmology, American Board of Eye Surgery, and/or the Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance?
A I am Board Certified Ophthalmologist.