Overview
What is LASIK?
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is the world’s most-performed vision correction procedure. More than 25 million LASIK procedures have been completed worldwide, with FDA clinical studies reporting patient satisfaction rates exceeding 96 percent. The procedure uses a precisely calibrated laser to reshape the cornea — the clear front surface of the eye — changing how light is focused so you can see clearly without glasses or contacts. When your prescription stabilizes, typically between ages 18 and 21, LASIK becomes a permanent solution, freeing you from corrective eyewear for good. At Kugler Vision, we are the first practice in Nebraska and Iowa offering all 7 modern vision correction procedures, meaning we find the right solution for your unique eyes — not just the most common one.
News & Testimonials
Why It Works
How LASIK Changes Daily Life
Here’s what patients gain from this procedure:
- Immediate clarity: Most patients notice dramatically improved vision within 24 hours and describe the experience as genuinely transformational.
- Widely accessible: LASIK is a viable option for approximately 90 percent of adults ages 20-45 who currently rely on glasses or contact lenses.
- Virtually painless: You’ll feel only mild pressure during the few seconds the laser is active. No pain, no stitches.
- Quick recovery: Most patients return to work and are cleared to drive the very next day.
- Reduced long-term eye risk: Peer-reviewed research published in Ophthalmology shows that the cumulative risk of serious eye infection from long-term contact lens wear is significantly higher than the one-time risk profile of LASIK — making vision correction not just more convenient, but safer over a lifetime.
Our Difference
Why Choose Kugler Vision for LASIK
When you choose Kugler Vision for LASIK in Omaha, you’re choosing the region’s most experienced and comprehensive vision correction team. Because we offer all 7 modern vision correction procedures — including SMILE, PRK, EVO ICL, and RLE alongside LASIK — every recommendation we make is based entirely on what’s best for your eyes.
- EyeAnalysis™ precision mapping: Every evaluation begins with our comprehensive EyeAnalysis™, a multi-technology diagnostic exam that precisely maps the unique contours of your eye before any treatment is recommended.
- 11x Best of Omaha winner: Our commitment to outcomes and patient experience has earned Kugler Vision the Best of Omaha award 11 times — a recognition voted on by the community we serve.
- Patients from 47 states: Patients travel from across the country to have their vision corrected here, a testament to the trust patients nationwide place in Dr. Kugler and our team.
Meet Your Surgeons
Meet Your LASIK Surgeons in Omaha
Lance Kugler, M.D.
Lance Kugler, MD is Omaha’s most experienced refractive surgeon and one of the most credentialed in the country. Fellowship-trained at the Wang Vision Institute under world-renowned corneal surgeon Dr. Ming Wang, Dr. Kugler has personally performed more than 30,000 vision correction procedures — more than any other surgeon in Nebraska. He served as Director of Refractive Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he led both resident education and clinical research programs. A published researcher in peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of Refractive Surgery, national board member, and Board Certified Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences. He has had LASIK himself — and calls it one of the best decisions he’s ever made.
Drew Dickson, M.D.
Drew Dickson, MD brings a rare combination of surgical expertise and executive leadership to the Kugler Vision team. Board-certified in cataract and refractive surgery and a Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences, Dr. Dickson completed his ophthalmology residency at the Storm Eye Institute at the Medical University of South Carolina — a top-10 residency program — before completing his refractive surgery fellowship directly under Dr. Kugler at Kugler Vision. He also completed the Physician CEO program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, the same executive training that distinguishes Dr. Kugler’s leadership approach and reflects Kugler Vision’s commitment to excellence both in and out of the operating room. Dr. Dickson takes a deeply patient-centered approach, partnering with each patient to develop a customized vision correction plan tailored to their individual needs and goals.
11x
Best of
Omaha
1K+
5-Star
Reviews
47
States
Served
The Procedure
How Does LASIK Work?
From start to finish, the LASIK procedure takes less than 10 minutes per eye — and the laser is active for only a matter of seconds. Here’s exactly what to expect on procedure day.
1. EyeAnalysis™ Confirmation
Your pre-operative diagnostic measurements are reviewed one final time to confirm the precise laser treatment plan mapped to your unique eye.
2. Numbing & Preparation
Anesthetic eye drops are applied so you won’t feel pain. A gentle lid holder keeps your eye open, and a suction ring stabilizes your eye for the next step.
3. Corneal Flap Creation
Our femtosecond laser creates a thin, precise flap in the outer layer of your cornea in a matter of seconds. The flap is gently lifted to expose the corneal tissue beneath.
4. Laser Reshaping & Flap Closure
The excimer laser reshapes your cornea according to your personalized treatment plan. The flap is then repositioned, where it seals naturally — no stitches required. Most patients notice clearer vision before they even leave the procedure room.
Ideal Candidates
Who is a Good Candidate for LASIK?
Most adults who wear glasses or contacts are excellent LASIK candidates — and for those who have been told elsewhere that they aren’t, we often find a solution. Over 80 percent of patients who come to us after being turned away by another provider find a vision correction option that works for them here. The best way to know for certain is to schedule an EyeAnalysis™ consultation. General candidacy guidelines include:
Adults ages 20 to 45 with a stable prescription for at least one year
Those with myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism within treatable ranges
Individuals with sufficient corneal thickness and healthy eyes free of conditions such as keratoconus or untreated dry eye
Contact lens intolerance sufferers — patients whose eyes have become progressively intolerant to contacts, causing redness, irritation, or discomfort
“Some of the most grateful patients I see are people who were told ‘no’ somewhere else,” Dr. Kugler says. “Because we have access to every modern procedure, we can almost always find a path forward — and when LASIK isn’t the right fit, we’ll tell you exactly why and what is.”
LASIK Technology
The Technology Behind Your Procedure
At Kugler Vision, the best outcomes start with the best technology. Our LASIK suite is powered by multiple precision platforms, and Dr. Kugler selects the instrument best suited to each patient’s anatomy and prescription.
ZEISS VisuMax
Our primary femtosecond laser creates the corneal flap with sub-micron precision and a gentle, low-pressure interface — making flap creation faster and more comfortable than ever.
WaveLight EX500 Excimer Laser
One of the fastest excimer lasers in the world, the EX500 reshapes your cornea in seconds using wavefront-optimized treatment that preserves the eye’s natural shape and improves visual quality in all lighting conditions, including at night.
Contoura / VARIO Topography-Guided System
For patients with irregular corneas or higher-order aberrations, this system delivers a fully customized treatment based on your unique corneal topography — enabling us to help patients who were not candidates under standard laser parameters.
WaveLight FS200 Femtosecond Laser
A second femtosecond platform for LASIK flap creation, the FS200 offers an alternative approach to the VisuMax when indicated by your diagnostic results. Having multiple systems means we’re never limited to a one-size-fits-all approach.
What to Expect
LASIK
Recovery and Results
LASIK recovery is fast, and results are often immediately noticeable. Most patients achieve 20/20 vision or better the morning after their procedure and return to their normal routine within 24 hours.
Day
1
Most patients wake up with dramatically clearer vision. You’ll attend a brief follow-up appointment, and the majority are cleared to drive and return to work the same day.
Week
1
Any mild blurriness, halos, or light sensitivity — all normal parts of healing — typically resolve within the first week. Most patients are fully back to their regular routine within days.
Month
3
Vision continues to stabilize and sharpen. By this milestone, most patients have reached their best visual acuity, often at or better than 20/20.
Year
1
Your one-year follow-up confirms your long-term outcome. LASIK is permanent — when performed on a stable prescription, your results are designed to last a lifetime.
Safety & Confidence
Is LASIK Safe?
LASIK is one of the most studied elective procedures in the history of medicine. It is FDA-approved with a satisfaction rate exceeding 96 percent, LASIK carries an overall complication rate of less than 1 percent.
“I screen every patient personally before recommending any procedure,” Dr. Kugler says. “Our EyeAnalysis™ exists specifically to identify the small number of patients for whom LASIK isn’t the right choice — and to direct them toward a procedure that is.”
What the Data Shows
Peer-reviewed studies consistently show that LASIK carries a lower cumulative risk of serious infection than long-term contact lens wear. Patients who choose vision correction report fewer eye infections, fewer corneal abrasions, and better long-term visual quality than those who continue with contacts.
Risks and Side Effects to Understand
Like any surgical procedure, LASIK carries risks. The most common temporary side effects include dry eyes, halos around lights, and light sensitivity — these typically resolve within the first few weeks. Rare but possible complications include undercorrection or overcorrection (which may require an enhancement procedure), persistent dry eye requiring ongoing treatment, and in very rare cases, flap-related complications. Serious complications like corneal ectasia are exceedingly rare, particularly with modern screening technology. Dr. Kugler discusses all risks with every patient individually during the consultation — because informed patients make the best decisions.
Our Safety Protocol
Safety begins before you ever enter the procedure room. Our EyeAnalysis™ screens for every factor that could affect your outcome, and rigorous post-operative care at one day, one week, one month, six months, and one year ensures your eyes heal on track.
Pricing & Financing
How Much Does LASIK Cost in Omaha?
LASIK is one of the smartest long-term investments you can make in your vision. When you factor in a lifetime of glasses, contact lenses, solutions, and annual prescription updates, vision correction typically pays for itself in approximately five years — and continues saving you money every year after.
The cost of LASIK at Kugler Vision depends on your prescription complexity and which laser technology your treatment requires. We offer flexible financing through Alphaeon Credit with 0% interest when paid in full within 24 months, and LASIK is FSA and HSA eligible — meaning you can use pre-tax dollars to cover the cost. There are no hidden fees, ever. We’ll provide a detailed cost breakdown at your consultation.
Payments As Low As
$252/Mo
0% financing available. FSA/HSA eligible.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About LASIK
Have more questions? Our team is happy to talk through anything before your consultation.
Does LASIK hurt?
No. Numbing drops are applied before your procedure, and the most you’ll feel during flap creation is mild pressure for a few seconds. The laser reshaping step is completely painless. Some patients notice mild dryness or a gritty sensation for the first day or two afterward, which resolves on its own.
How long does LASIK last?
LASIK permanently reshapes your cornea — it does not wear off. Some patients notice subtle changes in vision years later due to natural aging (such as presbyopia after age 40), which is unrelated to the procedure itself.
Can LASIK correct astigmatism?
Yes. LASIK is highly effective for astigmatism, often in combination with nearsightedness or farsightedness. Our topography-guided Contoura/VARIO system allows us to treat even irregular astigmatism with a level of customization that wasn’t available with older platforms.
What if I move my eye during the procedure?
Our excimer laser tracks your eye position 400 times per second and adjusts in real time. If your eye moves beyond a safe range, the laser pauses automatically and resumes exactly where it left off. There is nothing you can do to disrupt your own procedure.
What should I look for when choosing a LASIK surgeon?
Look for a surgeon who is fellowship-trained in corneal and refractive surgery, has performed a high volume of procedures, offers more than one type of vision correction, and uses a thorough diagnostic process before recommending any treatment. Ask whether they perform the surgery themselves and whether their practice provides long-term follow-up care. Dr. Kugler and Dr. Dickson meet every one of these criteria.
What if LASIK isn't right for you?
Not every patient is a LASIK candidate — and that’s exactly why we invested in the full range of modern vision correction procedures. SMILE uses a small-incision technique with no flap, making it an excellent option for patients with thinner corneas or active lifestyles. PRK reshapes the cornea’s surface without creating a flap at all. EVO ICL is an implantable lens placed inside the eye, ideal for patients with very high prescriptions or corneas too thin for any laser procedure. During your consultation, Dr. Kugler or Dr. Dickson will explain which options apply to your eyes and why.
Patient Stories
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Our Omaha
LASIK
Location
As the only team in Omaha to specialize in all seven vision correction procedures– we have customized solutions to treat even tough vision problems so you can experience life glasses and contacts free.
Our Office
17838 Burke St. Suite 100
Omaha, NE 68118
Call Us
(402) 558-2211
Office Hours
Mon-Fri:
7:45AM-5PM
Sat-Sun: Closed
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Consultation in Omaha
At Kugler Vision, your modern LASIK procedure is tailored to deliver the very best experience possible – that’s why we’ve been voted the Best in Omaha LASIK provider by our patients eleven years in a row! Isn’t it time you started to SEE without glasses or contacts?