Symptoms

These symptoms require prompt evaluation and treatment, often the same day:

• Sudden vision loss or significant vision changes in one or both eyes

• Severe eye pain that does not improve

• Eye injury from chemicals, burns, or foreign objects stuck in the eye

• Flashes of light accompanied by new floaters or a curtain or shadow over your vision

• Sudden onset of double vision

• Red, painful eye with discharge or crusting

• Foreign object embedded in the eye (metal shavings, wood chips, etc.)

• Eye trauma from sports injuries or workplace accidents

• Sudden severe headache with blurred vision, nausea, or halos around lights

Contact our office at (701) 800-7501 immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. We offer same-day emergency appointments and have slit lamp microscopes, tonometers, and advanced imaging technology that most urgent care centers and emergency rooms lack. Our after-hours phone system directs emergency calls to our doctors’ cell phones, ensuring you receive guidance when you need it most.

Non-Emergency Symptoms: Schedule an Appointment Within a Few Days

These symptoms should be evaluated, but typically do not require same-day treatment: gradual blurring of vision over days or weeks, mild eye irritation or redness without pain, dry or scratchy eyes (especially after computer use), occasional floaters without flashes of light, minor eye fatigue or strain, difficulty reading or seeing at night, mild light sensitivity, and itchy or watery eyes from allergies.

Age

Age plays a significant role, as most surgeons advise waiting until at least 18 years old when prescriptions tend to stabilize.

Eye Conditions

Certain eye conditions, such as severe dry eye, thin corneas, or large pupils, may disqualify candidates or necessitate alternative treatment approaches

Overall Health

Your overall health history also influences candidacy. Conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or medications that affect healing can impact surgical outcomes. Pregnant or nursing women should wait to pursue laser eye surgery, as hormonal changes can temporarily affect vision prescriptions.

Our team will carefully review these factors during your comprehensive eye exam to provide you with clear guidance and recommendations about your best options.

LASIK & PRK

LASIK is the most popular procedure, using a laser to create a corneal flap before reshaping the underlying tissue to correct refractive errors. Research from the American Academy of Ophthalmology shows that 99.5% of eyes achieve 20/40 vision or better following modern LASIK procedures, demonstrating the remarkable success rates possible with today’s advanced technology.

PRK offers an alternative for patients with thinner corneas, where the outside layer of the cornea is removed before laser treatment.

SMILE Surgery

Newer technologies like SMILE surgery provide minimally invasive options for certain prescriptions, while procedures like implantable contact lenses serve patients who aren’t candidates for corneal-based surgeries.

During your consultation, we explain which procedures might benefit your specific situation and discuss the advantages and limitations of each option. We also review potential risks and realistic expectations for your vision outcomes, ensuring you make an informed decision about your eye care.ctions and schedule appropriate follow-up appointments to monitor your recovery progress.