• "Everything fell into place for me. If I hadn't had the procedure done, I would have been precluded from becoming a fireman and being admitted to the fire department where I now work," says John Graber of Colorado Springs, Colorado. After undergoing laser vision correction, John was able to qualify for the civil service exam required by the fire department and fulfill his dream of becoming a firefighter.

• Tony Ard of Hanover, Maryland, rescued a man who had fallen out of his boat during a nor'easter. As Tony jumped from his own boat into the water to save the man, he was hit in the face by a huge wave. Tony says that had he been wearing glasses, he might not have seen the man and been able to save his life.

• Jerry Buckley, a professional drag car racer, needed glasses for driving. "Going 200 miles an hour and having your glasses fog up is really spooky," he says. Jerry recently had laser vision correction and is looking forward to future drag races--without glasses!

Here are answers to the most often-asked questions about laser vision correction.

What is laser vision correction?

Laser vision correction is a non-incisional, painless, outpatient procedure that uses a cool laser beam to correct myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism. The entire treatment usually lasts less than 15 minutes and the laser is used on the eye for less than 60 seconds.

Is laser vision correction safe?

According to James J. Salz, M.D., clinical professor of ophthalmology, University of Southern California, and a principal investigator for the VISX FDA trials of laser vision correction at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, "The clinical trial data indicate that laser vision correction is a safe and effective method to correct myopia and astigmatism. The treatment offers a high level of patient satisfaction. Because it utilizes a computer-controlled, cool beam of ultraviolet light, the laser is very reliable and very precise." Salz adds, "Laser vision correction takes eyecare into a high-tech arena where laser technology and computers replace scalpels and human ability to potentially free patients from a lifetime of eyeglasses and contact lenses."

What kind of results can be expected from laser vision correction?

Laser vision correction has been used worldwide for nearly a decade. A recent clinical study showed that 98 percent of all patients achieved 20/40 vision or better, the legal requirement to obtain a driver's license without glasses or contact lenses in most states.

Is laser vision correction painful?

The treatment itself is not painful. However, some patients may experience discomfort for a day or two after laser vision correction. In addition, there is the potential for temporary blurring, watering or sensitivity to bright lights, all of which result from corneal healing and disappear within two to three days. (NAPSI)