LASIK Providence, RI Clear Sight, Bright Future
- 20,000+ LASIK Procedures Performed
- Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
- Advanced Lens Options Like EVO ICL™
Superior Vision Correction
“Since my eye surgery, I can now truly see my world has come alive. My daily life is now one of excitement. I now see the most vivid colors and brightness. Dr. Galler, your successful surgery on my eyes has changed my life.”
-Patient, VA Medical Center
Cutting-Edge Opthalmology
Always at the forefront of the field, Dr. Ezra L. Galler was the first practitioner in the state to treat a patient using laser vision correction and to offer EVO ICL. He also teaches the next generation of ophthalmologists.
Board-Certified Care
Each of our doctors is board certified, meaning they completed additional training, testing, and accreditation beyond what’s required for ophthalmologists and optometrists to practice in Rhode Island.
Affiliated With the Best
Dr. Galler is affiliated with the TLC Providence Laser Eye Surgery Center, where he serves as their medical director and exclusive LASIK surgeon. TLC has laser vision correction centers across the country, making it a well-established clinic.
Meet Our Doctor Ezra L. Galler
Dr. Ezra L. Galler has been practicing ophthalmology since 1990 and serving Rhode Island since 1995. Over the past 30 years, he’s built a reputation as a forward-thinking and reliable doctor. Under the direction of Dr. Galler, Galler Eyecare Associates is capable of meeting all of your vision care needs, from routine eye exams to the treatment and control of serious conditions like glaucoma.
As a patient of Galler Eyecare Associates, you will receive care from a leader in the field of ophthalmology. We send our LASIK patients to TLC Laser Eye Centers, also in Providence, where Dr. Galler will perform your surgery in a state-of-the-art facility.
Find Freedom From Glasses
If you’re ready to reduce your dependency on contacts and reading glasses, we invite you to discuss LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) with our Providence eye care professionals. During a consultation, we can determine if LASIK is the best option for your needs or if you’re better suited to another solution. Send us a message with our form or call our Providence office today.
“Dr. Ezra Galler performed lasik surgery over 15 years ago with absolute perfection! My vision has not deteriorated at all and I have never had any issues whatsoever. His bedside manner is one of warmth, comfort as well as a keen ability to provide clear and transparent explanations to his recommendations.”
-Sheldon H., 5-Star Review
Clear Sight Is Priceless.
We Make It Affordable.
Health insurance doesn't typically cover laser eye surgeries like LASIK because they're not considered medically necessary. However, certain vision insurance plans offer benefits that may include discounts on refractive surgery. We recommend 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 do everything we can to help you maximize your coverage. We also accept financing through CareCredit®, so Providence patients who are uninsured or paying out of pocket can keep costs manageable.
What LASIK
Can Do for You
Nearsightedness is when objects in the distance appear blurry, but close-up vision is sharp.
Farsightedness is when close-up objects appear blurry, but distance vision is sharp.
Astigmatism is an imperfection in the curvature of the eye that can cause blurry close-up or distance vision.
Who Shouldn't Receive LASIK?
We Have Alternatives
Have Thin Corneas
LASIK involves the removal and reshaping of some corneal tissue. If you have thin corneas, which is relatively common, 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 outside the recommended parameters, Dr. Galler will discuss the EVO ICL and other alternative treatments instead. If you are not sure of your prescription, our board-certified optometrists 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
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 for LASIK.
Bladeless LASIK For Greater Precision
Dr. Galler only performs bladeless LASIK, also referred to as all-laser LASIK. While some eye surgeons still use traditional instruments for this procedure, Dr. Galler aims to stay on the vanguard of vision care and only practices using the latest surgical methods.
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.
Clearer Vision
in 30 Minutes
Dr. Galler will see you at our Providence eye care office for an initial consultation. He'll discuss your vision problems, assess your degree of refractive error, and measure the thickness of your corneal tissue to determine whether LASIK is right for you. If it is, he'll schedule your refractive surgery at TLC Laser Eye Centers, which is less than 10 minutes from our office.
Before beginning your bladeless LASIK surgery, Dr. Galler will administer eye drops to thoroughly numb your eyes and keep you comfortable through the procedure. You won't experience any pain as he quickly corrects your vision.
Our surgeon will use a femtosecond laser to create a microscopic flap in the outer layer of the cornea. He'll then use a second laser called an excimer laser to remove very small amounts of corneal tissue with the utmost precision. This alteration to the shape of your cornea will correct refractive errors.
Once the cornea has been reshaped according to your vision needs, Dr. Galler will place the corneal flap back in its original position. It will re-seal naturally without any stitches or sutures.
Most LASIK patients can return to their regular activities just a day or two after the procedure. Total healing takes around three months, and results usually become fully apparent around six months. Dr. Galler will provide post-op instructions to ensure a smooth recovery process.
Protect Your Eyes as You Recover
“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.”
-Shari K., 5-Star Review
Eyedrops
After your LASIK procedure in Providence, Dr. Galler will send you home with prescription eye drops to prevent inflammation and manage discomfort. Be sure to use them as directed.
Protective Eyewear
Don't rub your eyes or spend time in dusty or windy conditions. Wear protective eye shields while you sleep and sunglasses to shield your eyes when you’re outside. Take breaks if you're using screens.
Touch-Up Procedure
While we work carefully to ensure we achieve the best results the first time, you might require a touch-up procedure in the future. Keep in mind that this is rare, and when patients do decide to undergo refractive surgery again, it’s usually years down the line.
A Groundbreaking Alternative Consider EVO ICL
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.
Dr. Galler is the first doctor in Rhode Island 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.
FAQ About LASIK in Providence, RI
How long does LASIK last?
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. 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.
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. During this 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. Depending on your degree of refractive error, you may only need surgery for one eye to enjoy the intended effects.
