1. What is a D.O.? A D.O. is a Doctor of Osteopathy. We are fully licensed physicians who practice medicine and surgery in all 50 states as well as overseas. We have four years of undergraduate school*, four years of medical school*, and in the case of Ophthalmology fours years of internship/residency in ophthalmology*. We can be board certified by passing a rigorous oral and written examination by The American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. *Same as an allopathic physician (M.D.)

2. How much does LASIK cost? It depends on your specific type of correction and the specific procedure(s) required for your treatment. Price will be discussed at your exam once it is determined whether or not you are a good LASIK candidate.

3. What do I do if I have an eye problem after hours or on the weekend?
Simply call 797-9700 and follow the directions. There is an Ophthalmologist "on call" 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

4. Do you participate with my insurance? Dr. Griswold participates with many insurance carriers. LASIK and other refractive surgeries are NOT covered by insurances. We request that you sign a waiver if you have Medicare, so that you understand that this is NOT a covered benefit and your surgery will NOT be submitted to Medicare.

5. How long do I get "enhancements" after LASIK? The cost of your LASIK includes all enhancements up to 12 months from the date of the original procedure.

6. What is Bioptics? Bioptics is a hybrid procedure where high degrees of nearsightedness or more commonly farsightedness are corrected with a combination of cataract or clear lens extraction followed at a later date by LASIK to correct the residual refractive error or astigmatism. This procedure seems to give better optical results then either procedure alone for these higher amounts of refractive error.

7. What is "customized ablation"? Customized ablation is where the excimer laser is linked to a topographer and is controlled individually for each person's corneal "map". This concept is currently being evaluated and when available will be implemented at the Arizona Eye Laser center.

8. What is LASEK? LASEK is a procedure that utilizes the excimer laser, similar to PRK (photorefractive keratectomy). Unlike PRK, instead of first removing the outer layer of cells, the epithelium is carefully reflected prior to the laser treatment. This gives a much more comfortable recovery than PRK, without the flap related complications that can occur with the LASIK procedure. Also, if the cornea is too "thin" to safely perform LASIK, LASEK may be a better option. The recovery (visual and comfort) is somewhere between LASIK (faster) and PRK (slower), with safety being more toward PRK (safer). Usual visual (and comfort) recovery is from 3-5 days. A bandage contact lens is used for the first 3-4 days and then removed.

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Mark L. Griswold, DO
1521 East Tangerine Rd, Ste 301
Tucson, 85737
520.797.9700