LASIK
Are you tired of wearing glasses and contact lenses every day? Do you wish you could wake up with perfect eyesight?
LASIK eye surgery through Galler Eyecare Associates can help Providence, RI, patients see the world without barriers.
Our board-certified ophthalmologist, Ezra L. Galler, was the first doctor in Rhode Island to offer laser vision correction. He's performed thousands of successful procedures since and is currently welcoming new patients. Book a consultation with him today.
What Is LASIK?
LASIK, or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is a laser eye surgery that corrects refractive errors and improves vision.
During LASIK surgery, our surgeon will use specialized lasers to remove select portions of the cornea and reshape it in a way that allows light to focus more precisely on the retina. This can lead to a substantial improvement in both close and distance vision. You may not need to wear glasses or contact lenses at all after laser eye surgery.
One of the best parts about the LASIK procedure is that it typically takes less than 15 minutes per eye. Your surgeon will administer numbing eye drops before beginning, so you will not experience any pain during treatment.
Which Vision Concerns Can LASIK Treat?
Farsightedness is when close-up objects appear blurry, but distance vision is sharp.
Nearsightedness is when objects in the distance appear blurry, but close-up vision is sharp.
Astigmatism is an imperfection in the curvature of the eye that can cause blurry close-up or distance vision.
See Better With LASIK Surgery
at TLC Laser Eye Centers
Dr. Ezra Galler refers patients of Galler Eyecare Associates to TLC Laser Eye Centers®, also in Providence, where he performs LASIK surgery. TLC has laser vision correction centers across the country, making it a well-established clinic to receive treatment.
As the medical director at TLC in Providence, Dr. Galler will consult with you about LASIK eye surgery and perform the procedure at the TLC center.
Visit Our Board-Certified LASIK Surgeon For Superior Vision Correction
The Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology estimates that more than 20 million LASIK eye surgeries have been performed in the United States. Well over 20,000 of those procedures were performed by Dr. Galler himself.
In addition to his vast experience in providing refractive surgery, Dr. Galler stands out because he is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. To become board certified, a doctor must complete a rigorous examination process that involves continuing education, written and oral exams, and signing a pledge that demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the field.
To work with a LASIK specialist who eyecare professionals and thousands of other patients trust, contact our practice in Providence, RI, today. You can send us a message online or call us at:
"The procedure went off without a hitch." Why Providence, RI, Chooses Our Ophthalmologist
Morgan
2024
I had a wonderful experience getting my LASIK done at TLC Providence. Exceptional bedside manner from all staff-which is important considering it's a rather nerve wracking operation. They were eager to answer any questions I may have had. The procedure itself was quick and painless and Dr. Galler talks you through it, which also helped to calm me. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend TLC Providence to anyone. Thank you Dr. Galler and TLC Providence, my new vision will change my life.
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K Buco
2024
I recently had lasik and I cannot have been more excited with the results. The staff at TLC were phenomenal. Candie, Geri, and Dr. Rose were extremely helpful, supportive and super nice. Dr. Galler was also very professional and the procedure went off without a hitch.
I highly recommend anyone having this procedure done at TLC.
We Offer EVO ICL
As a LASIK Alternative
The EVO ICL™ is an Implantable Collamer® Lens that Dr. Galler inserts between your iris and cornea. Unlike a traditional contact lens that sits on your cornea and needs to be removed and replaced, the EVO ICL is intended to be permanent. EVO ICL is only intended for patients with nearsightedness or astigmatism, but it can correct more severe degrees of refractive errors than LASIK eye surgery.
In addition to being the first Rhode Island doctor to offer laser vision correction, Dr. Galler is also the first doctor in our state to offer EVO ICL treatment. This effective alternative to LASIK, glasses, and contacts makes better vision possible for a much wider range of candidates. As with the LASIK procedure, Dr. Galler will handle your ICL treatment himself. You can trust that your vision will be in good hands with our Providence ophthalmologist, no matter which option you go with.
Is LASIK Right for Me?
LASIK eye surgery has helped millions achieve better vision, but there are some restrictions to candidacy. LASIK may not be right for you if you:
Have Thin Corneas
LASIK involves the removal and reshaping of some corneal tissue. If you have thin corneas, a relatively common condition, LASIK can lead to complications. ICL surgery or scleral lenses to treat keratoconus may be better suited to you.
Have Severe Vision Issues
LASIK is meant to treat mild to moderate refractive errors. If you have a prescription of up to -12 diopters (a unit for measuring optical power) for nearsightedness, up to +6 diopters for farsightedness, or up to 6 diopters for astigmatism, Dr. Galler will discuss the EVO ICL and other alternative treatments instead. If you are not sure of your prescription, the board-certified optometrists at our Providence office can assess it for you.
Have a History of Dry Eye
Those with chronic dry eye have an increased risk of discomfort and other complications after this type of refractive surgery. If you have dry eye syndrome or regularly experience symptoms, Dr. Galler can develop a treatment plan that may restore your candidacy for LASIK.
Are Under 18
Our eyes continue to develop into early adulthood. If laser surgery is performed too soon, the eye may change in a way that undoes the benefits. Dr. Galler only performs LASIK on patients who are over 18 years of age and prefers to wait until they reach their mid-20s, but he will be happy to discuss alternative options to help you see clearly.
99.5% of LASIK patients have achieved 20/40 vision after their refractive surgeries. The Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
The LASIK Timeline, Step by Step
LASIK can take just 15 minutes per eye and doesn't require any stitches or sutures for healing.
"It was the easiest procedure." More Excellent Reviews For Dr. Ezra Galler
Rob Burrus
2023
Professionalism is what I received with TLC. questions and very kind as a whole. Dr. Galler covered all the steps that he was going to take and talked through them as he was performing them. It was the easiest procedure. Next day I had perfect vision! Best investment ive ever made!
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Ellen Ryan
2024
From start to finish, the entire staff was informative, kind, and so professional. Dr. Galler’s results speak for itself! No more glasses or contacts and my vision is literally perfect! Thank you to the entire staff at TLC for making this such a wonderful experience.
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Is LASIK covered by insurance?
No, health insurance companies will not typically cover laser eye surgeries like LASIK because they don't consider them medically necessary. However, certain vision insurance plans offer benefits that may include discounts on refractive surgery. It's well worth checking the details of your vision plan to see if a discount applies to your laser procedure.
Galler Eyecare Associates accepts most insurances, and we'll certainly do everything we can to help you maximize your coverage. We also gladly accept financing through CareCredit® so patients who are uninsured or paying out-of-pocket can keep costs manageable.
Are there really no blades involved in LASIK?
Yes! Dr. Galler only performs bladeless LASIK, also referred to as all-laser LASIK. While some eye doctors still use traditional instruments for this eye surgery, Dr. Galler aims to stay on the vanguard of vision care and only practices using the latest surgical methodologies.
While traditional and bladeless LASIK are both effective vision correction surgeries, bladeless LASIK allows for greater precision, and patients tend to experience even fewer post-operative complications and smoother recovery periods.
I have presbyopia. Is LASIK an option for me?
If you have presbyopia, or age-related farsightnedness, you may be a great candidate for a procedure called monovision LASIK. In this version of the surgery, your eye doctor will adjust one eye for close-up vision and the other for distance vision. Though each eye will transmit different information to the brain, you will only perceive the clearer version. Transitioning between near and distance vision is seamless.
Monovision LASIK does not "fix" presbyopia in the way standard LASIK fixes refractive errors, but it provides a highly effective workaround for the condition and can still reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Depending on your degree of refractive error, you may only need surgery for one eye to enjoy the intended effects.
"Dr. Galler is top-notch." Helping Providence See Life Clearly
Becky Lachapelle
2023
My laser eye surgery with Dr. Galler was truly life-changing. It is so liberating to be able to see without glasses! I can’t thank you enough!
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Jayana Douglas
2023
Dr. Galler is top-notch. I’m so happy with my decision to finally get Lasik. Not even 48 hours later, I can see great and have minimal discomfort. I could even drive myself to my first post op appointment after having to wear glasses/contacts for almost 20 years.
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