How can Dakota help me afford laser vision correction?
We believe that everyone has a right to clear vision. We offer a variety of finance plans, and we will work with you for a payment plan that fits your budget. Call us at 1-877-8-DAKOTA to discuss the easy options we offer.

What laser technology do you use?

We take advantage of two state-of-the-art excimer laser platforms, the Visx Star/S4 with CustomVue® and the WaveLight Allegretto Wave®. Both systems are fully upgraded and employ the latest customized FDA-approved treatment technologies, and your Dakota doctor will decide which laser is best for your visual needs. Click on the links above for more information about those individual laser systems.

"LASIK", "PRK", "Epi-K" . . . those terms are confusing to me. How do I know what specific treatment is best for me?
It's year 2007, and indeed, there are a lot of options for your eyes. The treatment that is best for you depends on factors such as the type and extent of your eyes' optical error, the condition and thickness of your eye tissues, your age and even your lifestyle. We will listen to you regarding your concerns, needs and lifestyle to determine the treatment that suits you best.

I would like to give laser vision correction to my granddaughter as a gift. Is that possible?
What could be a greater gift than clear vision? It is a wonderful act of love that is often given by parents to their children, husbands and wives to their spouses, even between significant others. It is truly a life-changing enhancement to the life of someone you care about.

To further enhance your gift we will provide you with a beautiful glass plaque, engraved with your name and that of your loved one to remember your generous and kind gift for a lifetime

I was told that "bladeless" laser LASIK is the safest and best way to go with laser refractive surgery.
Studies comparing mechanical microkeratomes with laser-based microkeratomes show comparable safety and accuracy. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, which you should discuss with your Dakota doctor. Although any medical procedure carries some safety concerns, all of the techniques and instruments we use in today's laser refractive surgery are very safe. As an "bladeless" alternative to LASIK, Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) is excellent, and in many cases is preferable. Your Dakota doctor and Laser Vision Consultant will provide you with an option that is best for you and allows you to be comfortable with your procedure.

I currently wear contact lenses. Do I need to be out of the lenses before my procedures?
Long-term contact lens wear usually causes some reshaping of the corneal surfaces. When lens wear
is ceased it takes some time for the corneas to recover their natural shape. Normally we want you to
be out of soft contact lenses for a minimum of two weeks and rigid gas permeable contact lenses for
four to six weeks. However, the duration depends on the quickness of reshaping and the stability of
your eyes after wear is ceased.

Right now, the only vision correction I have is my contacts - I don't own a pair of glasses.
What do I use during the preoperative contact lens recovery period?
If you do not own a pair of spectacles to wear during the recovery period, we can arrange to have a temporary low-cost pair made for you from our optical dispensary.

Is night vision a problem after laser refractive surgery?
The eye's pupil dilates and constricts (gets larger and smaller) with varying light levels. At night the
pupils are largest. Early laser treatments in the late 1990's and early 2000's rendered an area on the
cornea that sometimes overlapped with the edges of the pupil which caused glare and halos when
looking at lights at night.

Today's laser treatments are more extensive and smoother, providing ample optical zones that do not interfere with the pupil. Consequently, night vision problems are, in most cases, nonexistant.

Can astigmatism and high optical prescriptions be treated?
Virtually any refractive optical error can be treated by Laser Vision Correction, including eyes which have been distorted by years of contact lens wear. However, in certain cases of extremely high error we may recommend other modalities which may be more effective.

Call 1-877-8-DAKOTA For More Information