Ophthalmologist Frequently Asked Questions
Answers from Southern California’s Leading Ophthalmologist
Dr. Matthew Hecht is dedicated to providing the highest quality eye care to patients throughout Southern California including Lawndale, Beverly Hills, and Marina del Ray. Dr. Hecht wants patients to fully understand all aspects of their care and has provided this list of frequently asked questions to ensure patients feel informed. If you have further questions or would like to request an appointment with Dr. Hecht, call (310) 370-5648 to request an appointment today!
What is an Ophthalmologist?
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in eye surgery, eye health and vision care. An ophthalmologist diagnoses and treats all eye diseases, performs eye surgery and prescribes and fits eye glasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems.
Meet Dr. Hecht
Dr. Matthew Hecht is a warm, trusted, skilled ophthalmologist and a provider of cutting-edge vision restoration. Specializing in eye surgery, eye health and vision care, Dr. Hecht provides every aspect of eye and vision care from screenings to eye surgery.
What is a refractive surgeon?
A refractive surgeon is an ophthalmologist who specializes in performing vision correction, or refractive, procedures to either decrease or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts.
Refractive surgeons perform procedures – such as LASIK, lens implants and cataract surgery – to adjust the focusing ability of their patients’ eyes. They can reshape the cornea or implant a lens inside the eye to correct a variety of common vision problems, such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism or cataracts.
Why is Corrective Eye Surgery a popular choice?
- It’s safe
- Corrective laser eye surgery is fast
- Recovery time is relatively quick
- There is little to no pain with corrective eye surgery
- Vision is almost always restored
What are the risks of corrective laser eye surgery?
With in-office FDA approved cutting edge technology, Dr. Hecht has a proven track record of successful procedures. However, as with all procedures there are some risks; serious complications are extremely rare. If you would like more information about risks, please give us a call today. We look forward to explaining your options and giving you detailed information on the procedure.
What is the recovery time from eye surgery?
Most recovery periods are within a few days.
How many times has this refractive surgeon performed LASIK?
Dr. Hecht has performed thousands of corrective laser eye surgeries. With offices in the South Bay/Torrance, Marina del Rey and Beverly Hills areas, getting to your procedure is very convenient.
How much does laser eye surgery cost?
Depending on your current vision status, procedures such as LASIK eye surgery have various costs. The Hecht Eye Institute has always made vision correction, such as LASIK eye surgery, affordable for all patients on any budget. We offer options so that you can enjoy new vision. Please call for more information on the exact cost for your procedure. Many patients take advantage of our finance programs and pay less than $100 per month.
A few questions that people ask about Crystalens:
How long will the surgery take?
The actual surgery itself is usually approximately 15-20 minutes.
Will I feel anything during the surgery?
No. Topical numbing drops will be placed in your eye and oral medications may be administered to help you relax.
When can I return to normal activity?
Typically you will be able to return to normal activities within several days. You should be able to drive and return to work usually within 2-3 days.
AFTER SURGERY:
• Your eyes may be sensitive to the touch for a few days
• Avoid taxing activity that would strain or put pressure on the eye
• Don’t rub your eyes
• Avoid getting soap in your eyes
• Don’t wear eye make-up for several weeks
• Avoid public pools and hot tubs
How often will I need to have my eyes checked after surgery?
Typically, Dr. Hecht will see you one day after surgery, after 1-4 weeks and again around 3-6 months after surgery. Usually an annual visit is expected.
Will I have to have cataract surgery again?
Once your cataracts are removed and replaced with an IOL, you most likely won’t need to have cataract surgery again. There are other factors to consider and Dr. Hecht can explain all of them during your consultation.
For a full Crystalens review, see Dr. Hecht for a comprehensive consultation.
