Duke Medical Minutes are produced by local sports radio affiliates and allow Duke specialists to give a brief snapshot into health offerings at Duke.

In this episode, Alan Carlson, MD, discusses the vision correction surgery options available at Duke Eye Center.

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Podcast Transcript

Announcer: Speaking with professor of ophthalmology and chief corneal and refractive surgery, Dr. Alan Carlson. A lot of athletes are choosing vision correction. For the weekend warrior -- why would he opt to have surgery?

Carlson: Well, the weekend athlete needs excellent vision but often needs better peripheral vision then what they can achieve with glasses.

Announcer: What is vision correction surgery?

Carlson: We offer a number of different procedures. The most common procedure is LASIK. And LASIK uses the most precise laser in all of medicine to reshape the surface of the eye to match the power of a properly fit contact lens.

Announcer: What are the risks that are associated with the surgery?

Carlson: Every procedure has some risk. At Duke, safety is our most important concern. Patients undergo a meticulous screening process to determine whether or not they are a suitable candidate and also to determine which procedure, if any, is best for them.

Most patients will have a dry eye for a few weeks after surgery. They may also have some night vision problems and glare -- halos -- which usually only last about a week or two. And then their vision is usually at least as good as what they can achieve with glasses or contact lenses.