LASIK in Providence
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 LASIK eye surgery procedures since and is currently welcoming new patients at our Providence, RI, office. Book a consultation with him today.
We Offer Virtual Consultations
We respect our patients' busy schedules and understand that it can be difficult to find time for yet another appointment. Our virtual consultations allow you to learn more about whether LASIK is right for you, possible side effects, results you can expect in the long term, and more – all from the comfort of your own home.
Hear From One of Our LASIK Patients
“The team was an amazing experience in terms of patient care!! The front office support was beyond kind and capable and the doctors possessed the knowledge and skills necessary to perform my surgery. One doctor actually sat beside me and encouraged and calmed me, while the other doctor performed the surgery. WOW! BTW-I now see great!!!”
Dayne Lindsey
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.
Coordinated LASIK Care 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 eye care professionals and thousands of other patients trust, contact our Providence, RI, ophthalmology office today. You can send us a message online or call us at:
(401) 728-1400
"I couldn't be more excited about my LASIK results." Why Providence, RI, Chooses Our Ophthalmologist
shari K
Providence, RI
2024
Dr. Galler is the most caring, attentive, detail oriented doctor that I know. When I had my lasik surgery many years ago, I was a bit scared for the procedure but he was so reassuring and calming and it was over so quickly that when I was able to see perfectly right after the procedure I was overjoyed. 18 years later when I needed a touch up as my distance vision wasn't as strong as it had been, he figured out the best way to correct my vision. I highly recommend Dr.Galler.
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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.
A Closer Look at the LASIK Procedure
LASIK, or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is a laser eye surgery that corrects refractive errors and improves vision. 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.
During LASIK surgery in Providence, 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.
Is LASIK Right for Me? Disqualifying Factors
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.
Are Pregnant
Did you know blurred vision during pregnancy is fairly common? That's because hormonal fluctuations can cause your prescription to change. We'll generally recommend you wait several months after you give birth and stop nursing before we evaluate whether you'll be a good candidate.
99.5% of LASIK patients have achieved 20/40 vision after their refractive surgeries.
The Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
LASIK in Providence The Timeline, Step by Step
LASIK can take just 15 minutes per eye and doesn't require any stitches or sutures for healing.
While we work carefully to ensure we achieve the very best results the first time, you might require a touch-up procedure in the future. Keep in mind this is rare and when patients do decide to undergo refractive surgery again, it’s usually years down the line.
Healing After LASIK Dos & Don'ts
Though LASIK is generally considered a very safe procedure with a low risk of complications, you’ll play an important role in protecting the health of your eyes. It’s especially important to follow our recommendations in the days and weeks immediately after receiving LASIK in Providence.
Dos
- Get plenty of rest
- Stay hydrated
- Eat a nutritious diet
- Use eyedrops as directed
- Take breaks if you’re using screens
- Wear your protective eye shields while you sleep
- Wear sunglasses to shield your eyes when you’re outside
- Contact us if you experience worsening discomfort
Don’ts
- Rub your eyes
- Let your eyes dry out
- Spend time in very dusty or windy conditions
- Let water stream directly into your eyes when you shower
- Swim in the ocean or use pools or hot tubs until we clear you
- Wear eye makeup, sunscreen, or thick creams around your eyes
- Engage in strenuous physical activity until we give you the green light
Everyone heals at a different rate so it’s important to maintain your post-operative checkups. We’ll evaluate your eyes and vision, and answer any questions you have.
“An all-around amazing experience!” More Excellent Reviews for Dr. Ezra Galler
Erik Winton
Providence, RI
2024
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 farsightedness, 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.
How long does LASIK last?
Many of our patients have heard the results of laser vision correction are permanent, but that’s not quite true. Instead, it’s more accurate to say that depending on your age, the results of your LASIK procedure could last for years or even decades.
Once a laser is used to reshape the surface of the cornea, those structural changes are permanent. However, as we age, the structures of the eye continue to change. That means you might eventually find you have difficulty seeing objects up close, but this is a completely normal part of aging.
Our eye surgeon can address patients’ needs at any stage of their life. Whether you decide on a touch-up procedure, glasses, or contacts to help offset age-related changes to your vision, we can provide the custom-tailored treatment plan you need.
"Dr. Galler is top-notch." Helping Providence See Life Clearly
Devorah Kosowsky
Providence, RI
2024
I’ve been seeing Dr. Galler for several years and more recently Dr. Z. I can’t say enough good things about this practice and have consistently received excellent care. Highly recommend!
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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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