Top 10 Questions Patients Ask Before LASIK (Answered by Dr. Vrabec)

Not at all. You’ll feel gentle pressure for a few seconds, but no pain. Before the procedure, I apply numbing drops so your eyes are completely comfortable. Most patients say, “That’s it?” when we finish — because it’s that quick and easy.

About 10 to 15 minutes total for both eyes. The laser itself only works for 20–30 seconds per eye. You’ll be in and out of our LASIK suite in under half an hour.

You’ll nap for a few hours afterward, then start seeing clearly that same evening or the next morning. Most people drive, work, and feel “normal” the next day. Expect mild dryness for a few weeks — that’s completely normal and temporary.

More on this: How LASIK recovery compares to other procedures

Yes. LASIK has been performed safely for over 25 years, with millions of successful cases worldwide. The technology we use at Clear Vision Center is the most advanced available — custom-mapped lasers that adjust to your unique corneal shape for the highest precision and safety.

That depends on your age and your eyes. If you’re under 40, you’ll likely enjoy many years without glasses. Around your 40s, you may still need reading glasses (that’s due to a natural change called presbyopia, not your LASIK result).

If you’re looking for a permanent glasses-free solution even for reading, we can also talk about procedures like RLE or EVO ICL.

You can’t ruin your result — promise. The laser tracks every tiny eye movement over 1,000 times per second and pauses automatically if needed. You’ll also have a small device to keep your eyelids comfortably open while I guide you through every step.

You might be if you:

• Are 18 or older with a stable prescription
• Have healthy corneas and no active eye disease
• Are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism

If your corneas are thin or irregular, I may recommend SMILE or PRK instead. That’s why your consultation and eye scan are so important — we tailor your plan specifically for your eyes.

For workouts: wait 48 hours for light exercise, and one week for anything that could get sweat in your eyes.

For eye makeup: give it a week before using mascara or liner.

Your eyes heal fast, but a few days of patience go a long way for keeping them healthy.

In most cases, LASIK is permanent. Your cornea doesn’t “regrow” its old shape. However, your eyes can still change naturally with age, just as they would if you never had LASIK. If you ever need a touch-up, it’s usually a simple enhancement procedure.

Your first step is a comprehensive consultation at Clear Vision Center. We’ll measure every detail of your eyes, talk through your lifestyle and goals, and see whether LASIK or another option fits best.

My team and I believe that an informed patient is a confident patient — so you’ll have all the answers before making any decisions.

The EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is a small, soft lens made from a biocompatible material called Collamer. It's placed permanently inside the eye — between the iris and the natural lens — to correct nearsightedness (myopia) and astigmatism. Unlike laser procedures, EVO ICL doesn't reshape the cornea at all. It's FDA-approved, invisible once placed, and includes built-in UV protection.

Not in the traditional sense. While it's sometimes called an implantable contact lens, it's placed surgically inside the eye rather than on its surface. You can't feel it, you can't see it, and you don't need to remove or maintain it. It functions as a permanent vision correction solution — not a daily-wear product.

LASIK (and procedures like SMILE and PRK) use a laser to permanently reshape the cornea. EVO ICL takes a completely different approach — it adds a corrective lens inside the eye without touching the cornea at all. This makes it suitable for patients with thin corneas, high prescriptions, or dry eye concerns who may not qualify for laser correction. Both approaches can deliver excellent vision, and Dr. Vrabec will recommend whichever gives you the best outcome.

EVO ICL is FDA-approved to correct nearsightedness (myopia) and astigmatism — including very high degrees of myopia up to -20 diopters. It does not currently correct farsightedness (hyperopia). Patients with hyperopia may be better suited for LASIK or Refractive Lens Exchange.

Collamer is a proprietary material made by Staar Surgical that combines collagen with a synthetic polymer. Because it contains collagen — a protein naturally found in the body — Collamer is highly biocompatible and integrates well with the eye's natural chemistry without triggering an immune response. It also naturally filters UV light, providing built-in protection for the eye.

You'll arrive at Clear Vision Center's on-site procedure suite. Dilating and numbing eye drops are applied — no general anesthesia is needed. Dr. Vrabec makes a tiny, self-sealing incision at the edge of the cornea, then gently inserts the folded EVO ICL through the incision. The lens unfolds and is positioned between the iris and your natural lens. No stitches are required. The same steps are then repeated for your second eye. Both eyes are typically treated on the same day, and the entire procedure takes about 15 minutes.

No. Numbing eye drops are applied before the procedure, and patients typically report no pain during the lens placement itself. Some mild pressure or awareness of the procedure is possible, but discomfort is minimal and brief.

The full EVO ICL procedure — both eyes — is typically completed in about 15 minutes as an outpatient visit. No overnight stay is required.

No — you'll need a driver to take you home after your procedure. Plan to rest for the remainder of the day. Most patients are able to return to work and normal daily activities the following day.

Recovery with EVO ICL is typically very fast. Most patients notice significantly improved vision within hours of the procedure, and the eye usually feels back to normal within 24 hours. The majority of patients return to work and routine activities the next day.

Common temporary side effects include:

• Mild light sensitivity or glare in the first day or two
• Slight blurring or fluctuation in vision as the eye settles — this resolves quickly
• Mild eye redness or irritation in the first 24–48 hours

Serious complications are rare and will be reviewed in full at your consultation with Dr. Vrabec.

EVO ICL has a significantly lower risk of causing or worsening dry eyes compared to laser procedures like LASIK or SMILE. Because the cornea is not reshaped and no corneal nerves are disrupted, the eye's natural tear-production signaling remains intact. This makes EVO ICL a preferred option for patients who already have dry eye concerns.

The best candidates for EVO ICL are generally:

• Under 46 years old
• Have moderate-to-high myopia, including very high prescriptions (up to -20D or more)
• Have thin corneas or were previously told they don't qualify for LASIK, SMILE, or PRK
• Have dry eye concerns that make laser correction higher-risk
• Lead active lifestyles, participate in contact sports, or work in high-impact environments

Quite possibly, yes. The most common reasons patients are turned away from LASIK — thin corneas or a prescription that exceeds the laser's correction range — are not barriers for EVO ICL. Since the cornea isn't reshaped, its thickness doesn't affect eligibility. And since the EVO ICL can correct prescriptions up to -20 diopters, even very high myopia can often be treated. A screening at Clear Vision Center will confirm whether you qualify.

EVO ICL may not be the right option for patients who are farsighted (hyperopia is not corrected), are 46 or older (Refractive Lens Exchange may be more appropriate), or whose internal eye anatomy — specifically the ciliary sulcus — doesn't meet the minimum sizing requirements for safe lens placement. Certain systemic health conditions may also affect eligibility, which Dr. Vrabec will review at your consultation.

The ciliary sulcus is the space inside the eye where the EVO ICL is positioned — the groove between the iris and the natural lens. For the ICL to sit safely and function correctly, this space must meet certain minimum size requirements. It's measured during your screening using specialized imaging. If the space is too small, the ICL may not be an option, and Dr. Vrabec will discuss alternatives with you.

Your free screening at Clear Vision Center includes a full eye health evaluation, 3D corneal imaging, ciliary sulcus measurement, prescription review, and a personal consultation with Dr. Vrabec. He'll discuss your vision goals, lifestyle, the procedure, recovery, and all-inclusive pricing — with no obligation to proceed.

Yes. EVO ICL has a safety rate comparable to LASIK — over 99% — and lens-based vision correction has a track record of more than 20 years. The EVO design improved on earlier ICL models by incorporating a central port that allows the eye's natural fluid to flow without restriction, eliminating the need for a preparatory laser procedure and reducing the risk of elevated eye pressure. As with any surgical procedure, some risks exist, and these will be reviewed in full at your consultation.

Yes — this is one of the key advantages of EVO ICL over laser procedures. Unlike LASIK or PRK, which permanently alter the cornea, EVO ICL is fully reversible. The lens can be removed or replaced by your surgeon if your vision changes significantly or if circumstances require it. This makes it a particularly appealing option for younger patients or those with higher prescriptions who expect their eyes to remain healthy for decades.

Yes. Because the EVO ICL leaves the corneal surface completely untouched, there's no flap and no surface vulnerability to impact. This makes it an excellent choice for boxers, MMA athletes, rugby or football players, and anyone in a high-impact sport or profession where a LASIK flap displacement — however rare — would be a concern.

The all-inclusive price for EVO ICL at Clear Vision Center is $8,500 for both eyes. This price covers everything — consultation with the surgeon, all pre-procedure testing, the EVO ICL itself (including toric models for astigmatism), the procedure in our accredited on-site suite, all post-procedure eye drops and follow-up appointments, and enhancement procedures for two years if indicated. No hidden fees, no add-ons.

We don't offer discounts on EVO ICL. The $8,500 price reflects our commitment to a zero-compromise approach — the most detailed screening in the area, full surgeon involvement throughout, and the only fully-accredited office-based procedure suite in Michigan. We do offer 0% financing over 24 months to make the investment more manageable.

Yes. 0% financing is available over 24 months for qualified applicants through Alpheon Credit / Comenity Bank. This can bring the cost of EVO ICL to a monthly payment that's often less than what many patients currently spend on contact lenses, solutions, and glasses each month.

The average person spends over $25,000 on glasses and contacts over their lifetime — and for patients with high prescriptions, that figure is significantly higher. EVO ICL is a one-time investment that eliminates ongoing lens and supply costs from that day forward. For most patients, it pays for itself within a few years and delivers decades of savings after that.

All EVO ICL procedures are performed by Dr. Josh Vrabec, MD — a board-certified refractive surgeon and Charter Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgeons with over 25 years of vision correction experience. Dr. Vrabec also personally conducts your consultation, performs your screening, and oversees all post-procedure care.

A few things stand out. First, Dr. Vrabec is personally involved at every stage — not just the procedure itself. Second, Clear Vision Center operates the only fully-accredited office-based procedure suite in Michigan, designed specifically for the premium vision correction experience. Third, our screening process is more thorough than most centers, including the ciliary sulcus measurement that's critical for ICL sizing. And finally, our pricing is fully all-inclusive — the number you see covers everything.

Clear Vision Center is located in Rochester and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, serving patients throughout the greater Detroit metro area. All EVO ICL procedures are performed on-site in our private, fully-accredited procedure suite.

The EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is a small, soft lens made from a biocompatible material called Collamer. It's placed permanently inside the eye — between the iris and the natural lens — to correct nearsightedness (myopia) and astigmatism. Unlike laser procedures, EVO ICL doesn't reshape the cornea at all. It's FDA-approved, invisible once placed, and includes built-in UV protection.

Not in the traditional sense. While it's sometimes called an implantable contact lens, it's placed surgically inside the eye rather than on its surface. You can't feel it, you can't see it, and you don't need to remove or maintain it. It functions as a permanent vision correction solution — not a daily-wear product.

LASIK (and procedures like SMILE and PRK) use a laser to permanently reshape the cornea. EVO ICL takes a completely different approach — it adds a corrective lens inside the eye without touching the cornea at all. This makes it suitable for patients with thin corneas, high prescriptions, or dry eye concerns who may not qualify for laser correction. Both approaches can deliver excellent vision, and Dr. Vrabec will recommend whichever gives you the best outcome.

EVO ICL is FDA-approved to correct nearsightedness (myopia) and astigmatism — including very high degrees of myopia up to -20 diopters. It does not currently correct farsightedness (hyperopia). Patients with hyperopia may be better suited for LASIK or Refractive Lens Exchange.

Collamer is a proprietary material made by Staar Surgical that combines collagen with a synthetic polymer. Because it contains collagen — a protein naturally found in the body — Collamer is highly biocompatible and integrates well with the eye's natural chemistry without triggering an immune response. It also naturally filters UV light, providing built-in protection for the eye.

You'll arrive at Clear Vision Center's on-site procedure suite. Dilating and numbing eye drops are applied — no general anesthesia is needed. Dr. Vrabec makes a tiny, self-sealing incision at the edge of the cornea, then gently inserts the folded EVO ICL through the incision. The lens unfolds and is positioned between the iris and your natural lens. No stitches are required. The same steps are then repeated for your second eye. Both eyes are typically treated on the same day, and the entire procedure takes about 15 minutes.

No. Numbing eye drops are applied before the procedure, and patients typically report no pain during the lens placement itself. Some mild pressure or awareness of the procedure is possible, but discomfort is minimal and brief.

The full EVO ICL procedure — both eyes — is typically completed in about 15 minutes as an outpatient visit. No overnight stay is required.

No — you'll need a driver to take you home after your procedure. Plan to rest for the remainder of the day. Most patients are able to return to work and normal daily activities the following day.

Recovery with EVO ICL is typically very fast. Most patients notice significantly improved vision within hours of the procedure, and the eye usually feels back to normal within 24 hours. The majority of patients return to work and routine activities the next day.

Common temporary side effects include:

• Mild light sensitivity or glare in the first day or two
• Slight blurring or fluctuation in vision as the eye settles — this resolves quickly
• Mild eye redness or irritation in the first 24–48 hours

Serious complications are rare and will be reviewed in full at your consultation with Dr. Vrabec.

EVO ICL has a significantly lower risk of causing or worsening dry eyes compared to laser procedures like LASIK or SMILE. Because the cornea is not reshaped and no corneal nerves are disrupted, the eye's natural tear-production signaling remains intact. This makes EVO ICL a preferred option for patients who already have dry eye concerns.

The best candidates for EVO ICL are generally:

• Under 46 years old
• Have moderate-to-high myopia, including very high prescriptions (up to -20D or more)
• Have thin corneas or were previously told they don't qualify for LASIK, SMILE, or PRK
• Have dry eye concerns that make laser correction higher-risk
• Lead active lifestyles, participate in contact sports, or work in high-impact environments

Quite possibly, yes. The most common reasons patients are turned away from LASIK — thin corneas or a prescription that exceeds the laser's correction range — are not barriers for EVO ICL. Since the cornea isn't reshaped, its thickness doesn't affect eligibility. And since the EVO ICL can correct prescriptions up to -20 diopters, even very high myopia can often be treated. A screening at Clear Vision Center will confirm whether you qualify.

EVO ICL may not be the right option for patients who are farsighted (hyperopia is not corrected), are 46 or older (Refractive Lens Exchange may be more appropriate), or whose internal eye anatomy — specifically the ciliary sulcus — doesn't meet the minimum sizing requirements for safe lens placement. Certain systemic health conditions may also affect eligibility, which Dr. Vrabec will review at your consultation.

The ciliary sulcus is the space inside the eye where the EVO ICL is positioned — the groove between the iris and the natural lens. For the ICL to sit safely and function correctly, this space must meet certain minimum size requirements. It's measured during your screening using specialized imaging. If the space is too small, the ICL may not be an option, and Dr. Vrabec will discuss alternatives with you.

Your free screening at Clear Vision Center includes a full eye health evaluation, 3D corneal imaging, ciliary sulcus measurement, prescription review, and a personal consultation with Dr. Vrabec. He'll discuss your vision goals, lifestyle, the procedure, recovery, and all-inclusive pricing — with no obligation to proceed.

Yes. EVO ICL has a safety rate comparable to LASIK — over 99% — and lens-based vision correction has a track record of more than 20 years. The EVO design improved on earlier ICL models by incorporating a central port that allows the eye's natural fluid to flow without restriction, eliminating the need for a preparatory laser procedure and reducing the risk of elevated eye pressure. As with any surgical procedure, some risks exist, and these will be reviewed in full at your consultation.

Yes — this is one of the key advantages of EVO ICL over laser procedures. Unlike LASIK or PRK, which permanently alter the cornea, EVO ICL is fully reversible. The lens can be removed or replaced by your surgeon if your vision changes significantly or if circumstances require it. This makes it a particularly appealing option for younger patients or those with higher prescriptions who expect their eyes to remain healthy for decades.

Yes. Because the EVO ICL leaves the corneal surface completely untouched, there's no flap and no surface vulnerability to impact. This makes it an excellent choice for boxers, MMA athletes, rugby or football players, and anyone in a high-impact sport or profession where a LASIK flap displacement — however rare — would be a concern.

The all-inclusive price for EVO ICL at Clear Vision Center is $8,500 for both eyes. This price covers everything — consultation with the surgeon, all pre-procedure testing, the EVO ICL itself (including toric models for astigmatism), the procedure in our accredited on-site suite, all post-procedure eye drops and follow-up appointments, and enhancement procedures for two years if indicated. No hidden fees, no add-ons.

We don't offer discounts on EVO ICL. The $8,500 price reflects our commitment to a zero-compromise approach — the most detailed screening in the area, full surgeon involvement throughout, and the only fully-accredited office-based procedure suite in Michigan. We do offer 0% financing over 24 months to make the investment more manageable.

Yes. 0% financing is available over 24 months for qualified applicants through Alpheon Credit / Comenity Bank. This can bring the cost of EVO ICL to a monthly payment that's often less than what many patients currently spend on contact lenses, solutions, and glasses each month.

The average person spends over $25,000 on glasses and contacts over their lifetime — and for patients with high prescriptions, that figure is significantly higher. EVO ICL is a one-time investment that eliminates ongoing lens and supply costs from that day forward. For most patients, it pays for itself within a few years and delivers decades of savings after that.

All EVO ICL procedures are performed by Dr. Josh Vrabec, MD — a board-certified refractive surgeon and Charter Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgeons with over 25 years of vision correction experience. Dr. Vrabec also personally conducts your consultation, performs your screening, and oversees all post-procedure care.

A few things stand out. First, Dr. Vrabec is personally involved at every stage — not just the procedure itself. Second, Clear Vision Center operates the only fully-accredited office-based procedure suite in Michigan, designed specifically for the premium vision correction experience. Third, our screening process is more thorough than most centers, including the ciliary sulcus measurement that's critical for ICL sizing. And finally, our pricing is fully all-inclusive — the number you see covers everything.

Clear Vision Center is located in Rochester and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, serving patients throughout the greater Detroit metro area. All EVO ICL procedures are performed on-site in our private, fully-accredited procedure suite.