Say goodbye to glasses and contacts with LASIK at Utah Valley Eye and LASIK Center. Take our quick quiz to see if LASIK is right for you!

See what patients have to say about

UTAH VALLEY EYE AND LASIK CENTER!

  • If I was to “create-my-own” Lasik experience, I would design Dr Gardiner and his team. I couldn’t imagine a better experience. From consultation to surgery to post-op, 5 stars hands-down. Dr G is super knowledgeable, confident in his craft, communicative, timely, respectful, etc etc. Additionally, his team of professionals are all top notch. Both in the operating room and performing general tests. I now have 20/20 vision (slightly better actually) and my experience has been ideal. I highly recommend Dr. Gardiner and his team at the Utah Valley Eye Center.

    Max Silbart - Google Review
dr-gardiner

Meet Your LASIK Surgeon

Dr. Gardiner is a board certified, fellowship trained corneal and refractive surgeon who specializes in LASIK, ICL, RLE, and cataract surgery. He has a particular commitment to vision corrective surgery, having had LASIK himself in 2005.

Dr. Gardiner grew up in Ogden, Utah and enjoys running, biking, and hiking in the mountains of Northern Utah. He is married with five children and enjoys serving the community of Utah Valley.

dr-gardiner

Meet Your LASIK Surgeon

Dr. Gardiner is a board certified, fellowship trained corneal and refractive surgeon who specializes in LASIK, ICL, RLE, and cataract surgery. He has a particular commitment to vision corrective surgery, having had LASIK himself in 2005.

Dr. Gardiner grew up in Ogden, Utah and enjoys running, biking, and hiking in the mountains of Northern Utah. He is married with five children and enjoys serving the community of Utah Valley.

Meet Your LASIK Team

Each member of our LASIK team strives to ensure that your LASIK procedure is the best experience possible.

It is important to our team that you feel as informed and as comfortable as possible start to finish.

lasik-team
picture1

What is LASIK?

LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) is an extremely precise laser procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea to reduce or eliminate nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

How does LASIK work?

There are two lasers used in LASIK surgery.

The first step involves creating a small flap in the front part of the eye (the cornea) using a femtosecond laser.

The second step of the procedure uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea to change your prescription. This reshaping of the cornea allows light to enter the eye and focus properly on the retina for clear vision without the need of glasses or contacts.

picture1

What is LASIK?

LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) is an extremely precise laser procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea to reduce or eliminate nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

How does LASIK work?

There are two lasers used in LASIK surgery.

The first step involves creating a small flap in the front part of the eye (the cornea) using a femtosecond laser.

The second step of the procedure uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea to change your prescription. This reshaping of the cornea allows light to enter the eye and focus properly on the retina for clear vision without the need of glasses or contacts.

  •  I've been wanting to get LASIK for years but honestly have been too nervous to dive in. I went in for a consultation a few months ago and felt totally at ease. Got LASIK yesterday and it's been a game changer. I was in and out in under 30 minutes with each eye taking less than a minute for the actual procedure. Dr. Gardiner and his team are top notch and made me feel comfortable during the entire process. Highly recommend going to Dr. Gardiner and his team!

    Amanda Kelley
  • I recently had LASIK surgery and the entire process start to finish was great. From the consultation, pre-op check-in, surgery, and post op they were great. The pain and discomfort was not nearly as much as I thought it would be. Also recovery has been pretty quick. Would recommend 100%.

    Tim D
  • I had the best experience with Dr. Gardiner for my LASIK. He was so kind and explained the procedure well, and even made time to answer a bunch of my questions about being an ophthalmologist and his experiences in medical school/residency. The pre-op process was so smooth and I felt very comfortable going into my procedure. The staff are friendly, accommodating, and helpful. Dr. Gardiner even called me in the evening after the procedure to make sure I was doing okay! I’m about 2 months post-op, my vision is now 20/15 and I’m so happy with my experience and results. I would give six stars if I could!

    Scout Livingstone
  • I just got through my operation and now I can count the trees at the top of Y Mountain with ease. Looking at the stars is surreal, and I no longer have to drive with those pesky glasses that seemed to always get dirty no matter what. For me personally, this was a nothing short of a miracle and if I had to go back and do it again, I would. 11/10 amazin'.

    Trevor Boardman

We make LASIK affordable for everyone!

Patients tell us time and time again that LASIK was one of the best decisions they have made. Don’t wait schedule your personalized LASIK consultation today!

Why choose Utah Valley Eye and LASIK Center?

All patients considering LASIK will be seen by Dr. Gardiner, our cornea specialist. This means that you will be provided with care from a specialist who has completed a cornea fellowship and has extra training in cornea transplants, complex cataract surgery, LASIK surgery, and ICL surgery. Dr. Gardiner will see you before, during, and after the procedure. In contrast, some LASIK centers are set up so that you will only see your surgeon on the day of surgery and followed by co-managing optometrists before and after.

Your LASIK procedure is personalized with iDesign technology. This means that an additional scan is done prior to surgery that maps your eye with over 1,200 measurements. The iDesign system provides 25 times more accuracy than what we can measure in the exam room. This creates a custom treatment plan designed for YOU!

You will be treated with the most up-to-date bladeless technology on the market. All LASIK at Utah Valley LASIK Center is performed with the VISX S4 IR excimer laser which has eye tracking and iris registration.
For more information please visit:
www.backinfocus.com

Why choose Utah Valley Eye and LASIK Center?

All patients considering LASIK will be seen by Dr. Gardiner, our cornea specialist. This means that you will be provided with care from a specialist who has completed a cornea fellowship and has extra training in cornea transplants, complex cataract surgery, LASIK surgery, and ICL surgery. Dr. Gardiner will see you before, during, and after the procedure. In contrast, some LASIK centers are set up so that you will only see your surgeon on the day of surgery and followed by co-managing optometrists before and after.

Your LASIK procedure is personalized with iDesign technology. This means that an additional scan is done prior to surgery that maps your eye with over 1,200 measurements. The iDesign system provides 25 times more accuracy than what we can measure in the exam room. This creates a custom treatment plan designed for YOU!

You will be treated with the most up-to-date bladeless technology on the market. All LASIK at Utah Valley LASIK Center is performed with the VISX S4 IR excimer laser which has eye tracking and iris registration.

For more information please visit:
www.backinfocus.com

Payment options for
LASIK surgery

Payment in Full:
This payment can be made using cash, check, or credit card

Flex Spending Plans:
Flexible spending plans can be used to cover the costs of vision correction. Talk to your employer about setting aside money for you to put toward the costs of your surgery. It is a good idea to find out if you are a candidate before making such an election. We offer a free screening to make sure you are a candidate and give you a better idea of how much to set aside.

Financing Plans:
Utah Valley Eye Center offers a 12-month no-interest financing plan with a 50% down payment at the time of service.

Tax Deductions:
The IRS has declared laser eye surgery to be a valid medical expense, thus making it tax-deductible.

LASIK FAQ

How long does it take to heal from LASIK?

Most patients feel comfortable driving the day after LASIK and can return to their daily routines in a few days, although vision may fluctuate for a few weeks after getting LASIK. You can expect to be fully healed in three months after the procedure. As with any surgery, recovery time can vary from person to person.

What are the limitations after LASIK?

You will need to avoid unclean water such as lakes, pools, and hot tubs for two weeks after LASIK. Try to stay out of any very dusty or windy environments where something could potentially get into the eye.

How long does LASIK last?

The benefits of LASIK never wear off, but it is important to know that your time out of glasses and contacts depends on your age. Around the age of 45, you may require reading glasses to help you see up close. This is not because LASIK has worn off or stopped working but simply because the eye muscles weaken with time and need the assistance of reading glasses to see very small print again.

Can LASIK treat astigmatism?

Yes! LASIK can treat mild to moderate astigmatism. We will evaluate the amount of astigmatism present at your complimentary LASIK consultation.

What if I blink during the procedure?

Many patients are worried that they will blink or move their eyes during LASIK. Dr. Gardiner will use an eyelid holder during the treatment to prevent you from blinking. Also, the laser has built-in technology that tracks eye movements. If the eye moves, the laser will account for the movement and will stop treating until the eye is realigned. In addition, numbing drops used during the procedure will reduce your impulse to blink.

What kind of anesthesia is used?

We use a drop called proparacaine during LASIK. It is a numbing solution that is applied frequently during the process. We also offer a Valium to help reduce nervousness on the day of surgery.

Is LASIK FDA approved?

Laser vision correction was approved in 1995, however modern day LASIK eye surgery has been approved by the FDA since 1999.

Is there a guarantee?

We offer free LASIK enhancements within one year of your LASIK procedure. LASIK is extremely precise and we will likely know if you need an enhancement within the first few months after surgery. If an enhancement is required years down the road, it would be half the cost of the current price of LASIK at that time if you had your original procedure done at Utah Valley Eye Center.

When can I go back to work or school?

We do all our LASIK surgeries on a Friday and we recommend resting over the weekend. Most patients can return to work or school the following Monday depending on the type of work they do.

What are the risks of LASIK?

As with any surgery there are always potential risks involved, the biggest risk being infection. You will be on antibiotic eye drops for seven days after your procedure to reduce the risk of getting an infection. Another potential risk is dry eye. Dr. Gardiner will assess your eyes for any pre-existing dryness before moving forward with scheduling surgery. Dry eye after LASIK is usually temporary and can be treated with eye drops or other treatments.

How soon can I see after LASIK?

You will be able to see better right after your procedure. However, it will not be perfect right away. Dr. Gardiner will see you the next day for a post-op appointment. Most people feel comfortable enough to drive themselves to that visit. Improvement will continue over the next week. It is important to know that vision will fluctuate and healing time will not be equal between the eyes.

Can I use FSA or HSA?

You can use FSA or HSA accounts to cover the costs of LASIK. Talk to your employer about setting aside money for you to put toward the costs of your surgery. It is a good idea to find out if you are a candidate before making such an election. We offer a Free Screening to make sure you are an ideal candidate and to get a better idea of how much to set aside.

Does LASIK hurt?

During the procedure, we use an eye drop called proparacaine that will numb the surface of your eyes. You will likely feel some pressure during the flap creation that lasts no longer than a minute. After the procedure, you will have some eye discomfort for about 4 hours.

Does health insurance cover LASIK?

Most insurance companies consider refractive surgery to be an elective procedure, so it is often not covered under basic health or vision plans. We do offer a convenient payment plan at 0% interest to assist you in making LASIK corrective surgery as affordable as possible.

LASIK FAQ

How long does it take to heal from LASIK?

Most patients feel comfortable driving the day after LASIK and can return to their daily routines in a few days, although vision may fluctuate for a few weeks after getting LASIK. You can expect to be fully healed in three months after the procedure. As with any surgery, recovery time can vary from person to person.

What are the limitations after LASIK?

You will need to avoid unclean water such as lakes, pools, and hot tubs for two weeks after LASIK. Try to stay out of any very dusty or windy environments where something could potentially get into the eye.

How long does LASIK last?

The benefits of LASIK never wear off, but it is important to know that your time out of glasses and contacts depends on your age. Around the age of 45, you may require reading glasses to help you see up close. This is not because LASIK has worn off or stopped working but simply because the eye muscles weaken with time and need the assistance of reading glasses to see very small print again.

Can LASIK treat astigmatism?

Yes! LASIK can treat mild to moderate astigmatism. We will evaluate the amount of astigmatism present at your complimentary LASIK consultation.

What if I blink during the procedure?

Many patients are worried that they will blink or move their eyes during LASIK. Dr. Gardiner will use an eyelid holder during the treatment to prevent you from blinking. Also, the laser has built-in technology that tracks eye movements. If the eye moves, the laser will account for the movement and will stop treating until the eye is realigned. In addition, numbing drops used during the procedure will reduce your impulse to blink.

What kind of anesthesia is used?

We use a drop called proparacaine during LASIK. It is a numbing solution that is applied frequently during the process. We also offer a Valium to help reduce nervousness on the day of surgery.

Is LASIK FDA approved?

Laser vision correction was approved in 1995, however modern day LASIK eye surgery has been approved by the FDA since 1999.

When can I go back to work or school?

We do all our LASIK surgeries on a Friday and we recommend resting over the weekend. Most patients can return to work or school the following Monday depending on the type of work they do.

What are the risks of LASIK?

As with any surgery there are always potential risks involved, the biggest risk being infection. You will be on antibiotic eye drops for seven days after your procedure to reduce the risk of getting an infection. Another potential risk is dry eye. Dr. Gardiner will assess your eyes for any pre-existing dryness before moving forward with scheduling surgery. Dry eye after LASIK is usually temporary and can be treated with eye drops or other treatments.

How soon can I see after LASIK?

You will be able to see better right after your procedure. However, it will not be perfect right away. Dr. Gardiner will see you the next day for a post-op appointment. Most people feel comfortable enough to drive themselves to that visit. Improvement will continue over the next week. It is important to know that vision will fluctuate and healing time will not be equal between the eyes.

Can I use FSA or HSA?

You can use FSA or HSA accounts to cover the costs of LASIK. Talk to your employer about setting aside money for you to put toward the costs of your surgery. It is a good idea to find out if you are a candidate before making such an election. We offer a Free Screening to make sure you are an ideal candidate and to get a better idea of how much to set aside.

Does LASIK hurt?

During the procedure, we use an eye drop called proparacaine that will numb the surface of your eyes. You will likely feel some pressure during the flap creation that lasts no longer than a minute. After the procedure, you will have some eye discomfort for about 4 hours.

Does health insurance cover LASIK?

Most insurance companies consider refractive surgery to be an elective procedure, so it is often not covered under basic health or vision plans. We do offer a convenient payment plan at 0% interest to assist you in making LASIK corrective surgery as affordable as possible.