Imagine waking up in Ocala, the Horse Capital of the World, or anywhere in Marion, Alachua, or Citrus County and seeing clearly without glasses or contact lenses. With Lasik and PRK performed by Dr. Croley, this dream can become a reality. Be sure to give us a call at (352) 237-8400 to schedule a consultation at Central Eye Florida and learn more about Lasik and PRK!
PRK Surgery / Laser Vision Correction
Laser Vision Correction / LASIK / PRK is done at a state of the art facility in Ocala to help patients who are dependent on their glasses whether nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism to see and function without glasses or contact lenses.
The Excimer laser by Johnson and Johnson and iDesign are so different from conventional Lasik surgery in its use of innovative Wavefront technology. Your eyes, vision, and lifestyle are unique – truly distinctive, with imperfections that are different from anyone else’s. The iDesign system provides a comprehensive analysis of your eyes so we can plan a personalized laser correction procedure completely individualized for you.
Types of Eye Surgery:
- LASIK
- LASEK
- Custom Cornea
- Surface Oblation PRK
All with Wavefront technology. Dr. Croley and his staff are happy to go over any and all procedures that may be appropriate for you during your free initial evaluation.
What are the benefits of LASIK?
These are amazing, popular procedures. Over 600,000 Americans improve their nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism every year with LASIK. Here are some of the many benefits:
- Vision improves immediately after the procedure. An estimated 95 percent of patients who undergo LASIK improve their vision to 20/40 or better, while 85 percent return to 20/20 vision.
- In most LASIK procedures, no bandages or stitches are required.
- There isn’t any pain during a LASIK procedure.
- Patients usually have a dramatic decrease in the need for glasses after LASIK surgery, with many not needing glasses or contacts at all.
- LASIK results are permanent. Your eye prescription can change over time, but a follow-up procedure down the road can address that.
What is the success rate for LASIK?
These are amazing procedures that allow patients who have worn glasses their entire lives to see clearly without them. It can be life changing to not wake up and first have to reach for your glasses to read the alarm clock. LASIK is one of the most successful surgeries performed, and its success is documented with thousands of clinical studies measuring visual acuity and patient satisfaction.
The latest research reports that 99 percent of patients achieve better than 20/40 vision. More than 90 percent achieve 20/20 vision or better. LASIK has an incredibly high satisfaction rate of 96 percent patient satisfaction. This is the highest rate of any elective surgery. These statistics are found in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, but they are available from difference sources.
LASIK procedures have been performed for over two decades now in the U.S. They have improved the vision of nearly 20 million people.
Is LASIK painful?
There isn’t any pain with LASIK procedures. First, we give you medication to help you relax. Then, when you’re in the chair for the procedure, we place numbing drops into your eyes. These keep you from feeling anything in the few minutes of the procedure.
Afterwards, your eyes may itch, burn, or be watery. Your vision could be blurry for a day or so. But there is little, if any, pain afterwards.
Does wearing contacts affect my ability to have LASIK?
The fact that you wear contact lenses is no different than using eyeglasses to correct for your refraction errors in your vision. That’s why you want to have this awesome procedure with Dr. Croley — so you can ditch the contacts for good!
We will have you stop wearing your soft contact lenses for two weeks prior to your LASIK pre-operative exam. If you wear toric contact lenses to correct for astigmatism, we’ll have you stop wearing them for three weeks prior to your pre-op exam.
Here’s why this is necessary. Here’s why. Even the cleanest, best-fitting contact lenses reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches the clear front surface of the eye, your cornea. This creates the potential for corneal swelling that could affect the accuracy of important measurements of your eyes in your pre-operative exam. Also, contact lens wear can affect the tear film, causing dry eyes. This can also affect corneal healing after your LASIK procedure.
How old do you have to be to be eligible to have LASIK vision correction?
The FDA has approved LASIK eye surgery for those 18 years and older, but Dr. Croley (and the vast majority of providers) recommend that patients wait until their mid-20s. This allows their eye prescription to stabilize.
Are the results of LASIK permanent?
During LASIK, your cornea is permanently reshaped to correct the refractive errors. This means your vision refractive errors are reduced dramatically or removed completely (and you have 20/20 vision). Your eyes can change, however, and could require a follow-up procedure if they do.
Some people also mix up the development of presbyopia with declining quality of their LASIK procedure, but they are completely different. Presbyopia is a near-universal human eye condition that occurs when people turn 40. In presbyopia, the eye loses its ability to focus effectively on close objects. Presbyopia occurs in the lens of the eye, not the cornea. LASIK doesn’t make presbyopia worse or accelerate its onset. Presbyopia, not declining results from your LASIK procedure, would be the reason you could need reading glasses after your 40th birthday.
How does Dr. Croley determine if I am a good candidate for LASIK?
We offer a free Lasik evaluation during which a thorough exam and testing are done to determine the health of the eye as well as the best option for custom treatment.
What should I do before my laser eye surgery?
The LASIK Laser Eye Procedure
The procedure for LASIK (Laser In-situ Keratomileusis) surgery takes only moments and the results are almost immediate!
- The eyeball is numbed with an “eye drop” anesthesia
- Then, an instrument called a microkeratome folds back a thin flap of corneal tissue.
- A cool beam of light from the Excimer laser then removes a predetermined amount of tissue from the inner cornea to correct the patient’s refractive error.
- The corneal flap is placed back in its original position where it bonds without the need for stitches.
How long does the LASIK procedure take?
LASIK surgery is usually completed in 30 minutes or less. The actual procedure usually takes less than 10 minutes per eye. Of that time, just 20-120 seconds are all that is needed for the actual laser correction of the cornea.
Recovery after LASIK Surgery
Most LASIK patients have functional vision within 12 to 24 hours and full visual results usually take one to four weeks (results and healing times vary with each individual). 95-98% of patients have 20/40 vision within 12-24 hours! The surgery is done right at Central Florida Eye Institute and a follow-up visit is scheduled for the next day.
Why Choose Dr. Croley for LASIK?
Dr. Croley has been involved with the Excimer laser since 1989 and is the Area’s Leader in Laser Vision Correction since bringing it to Ocala and the surrounding areas in 1994. He has had vast comprehensive training throughout the United States and Europe and uses the latest technology and optimal care in performing Lasik and Surface Oblation (PRK). Patients have come to Ocala from Alaska, Germany, and France to have Dr. Croley perform their laser vision corrections procedures.
The Excimer lasers used are Bausch & Lomb and Summit Technology. These lasers are owned and operated solely by Dr. Croley. Your treatment and follow-up care are done at Central Florida Eye Institute. Because the Excimer is such a precise instrument, it is never handled by another doctor or technician, nor is it moved from our location. This ensures the most accurate calibration of the Laser.
How much does LASIK cost?
Financing Information
Check out this price report on average LASIK surgery costs.
The fee for the procedure includes your initial complete eye examination, laser surgery and follow-up visits for a full year. Payment options are available with no down payment.
- No initial payment
- Low, fixed rates ranging from 9.99% – 12.99%
- No prepayment penalty
*Ask about Hotel Accommodations in Ocala, FL
Have Additional Questions? Call Today
LASIK Eye Surgery Testimonials:
As a sports enthusiast (scuba diving, sailing, motor boating, tennis, walking, skiing and bicycling), my eyes are extremely important to me. Therefore my decision to have LASIK surgery was an easy one. Choosing an ophthalmologist was not quite as easy.
I did my homework, and after interviewing several doctors, you were definitely my top choice. I am pleased to say that I am convinced that I made the right choice. My experience with you and your professional staff could not have been more pleasant or rewarding. The level of care, concern and attention I have received has been superlative.
Thank you for everything!
Carol B.
Click Here To Read More Reviews!
Life After LASIK: How Vision Correction Fits Into Everyday Living
Many patients considering LASIK focus on the technical details of the procedure, but the long-term impact is often felt in everyday moments. Clear vision without glasses or contact lenses can simplify daily routines, from waking up and seeing the alarm clock to driving at night without glare from lenses. Patients often report greater ease when exercising, traveling, swimming, or working in environments where glasses or contacts were previously inconvenient.
For individuals with active lifestyles, LASIK may eliminate concerns about lost lenses, fogged glasses, or dry contact discomfort. Over time, patients also appreciate the reduced need to purchase glasses, contact lenses, and solutions. While outcomes vary from person to person, many find that the convenience of laser vision correction becomes one of its most meaningful benefits.
LASIK vs. PRK: Choosing the Right Procedure
The primary difference lies in how the cornea is accessed. LASIK involves creating a corneal flap, whereas PRK reshapes the corneal surface without one. Healing timelines and early recovery experiences differ, but long-term visual outcomes may be similar for appropriate candidates. During the consultation, Dr. Croley evaluates corneal thickness, eye health, prescription stability, and lifestyle needs to determine which approach is most appropriate.
The Importance of Technology and Surgical Experience
Laser vision correction depends on both advanced technology and the surgeon’s experience. Modern diagnostic tools allow for precise measurement of corneal shape, thickness, and visual imperfections, extending beyond a basic glasses prescription. Systems like iDesign Wavefront mapping help create a highly individualized treatment plan by analyzing how light travels through the eye.
Equally important is surgical experience. Dr. Croley has worked with Excimer laser technology for decades and was the first to bring LASIK to Ocala and the surrounding areas. This long-standing involvement with laser vision correction allows for careful planning, consistent technique, and attention to detail throughout the process—from evaluation through post-operative care.
Why Ongoing Eye Care Matters After Laser Vision Correction
Although LASIK and PRK are designed to correct refractive errors, they do not eliminate the need for routine eye care. The eyes continue to age naturally, and conditions such as presbyopia, cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal disease can still develop over time. Regular eye exams remain important to monitor overall eye health, even when vision feels stable.
Follow-up visits after laser vision correction allow the care team to assess healing, address dryness or visual fluctuations, and ensure long-term eye health. Patients are encouraged to maintain a relationship with their eye care provider so changes can be identified and managed early.
Addressing Common LASIK Concerns and Misconceptions
Many patients delay laser vision correction because of misconceptions. LASIK has been performed in the U.S. for more than 2 decades and is among the most studied elective procedures in medicine. Advances in technology, diagnostic precision, and surgical technique have continued to refine outcomes and safety profiles.
Another common concern is that LASIK results “wear off.” While the corneal correction is permanent, natural age-related vision changes may still occur later in life. Understanding what LASIK corrects—and what it does not—is an important part of setting realistic expectations during the consultation process.
Schedule a LASIK Consultation in Ocala, FL!
For more information about LASIK in the Ocala, Gainesville, Lady Lake, Leesburg, and Inverness, Florida area, please feel free to contact Cathy at Central Florida Eye Institute at (352) 237-8400 or visit our Contact Us page to request a consultation today!