Assessments & Care for Laser Eye Surgery

Laser eye surgery can correct your vision and free you up from worrying about glasses or putting in contacts every morning. If you’re considering laser vision correction, we can tell you whether you’re a good candidate for the surgery with a consultation appointment and eye exam.

If and when you schedule surgery, we’ll be here to help you prepare and to support you in the healing process afterward. While laser eye surgery isn’t available in Whitehorse, know you’re in good hands when you return home from your procedure.

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Who Can Get Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery is typically very successful in correcting moderate refractive errors in people who have nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. People with higher degrees of refractive errors may still see good results from laser vision correction; that’s part of what we can help assess in an exam.

Other important considerations for getting laser eye surgery include:

Being over 18, because the eyes continue to grow until at least this time
Having healthy eyes, with no diseases or untreated injuries
Having good overall health
Having no severe dry eye symptoms, which can worsen after surgery
Not currently being pregnant or breastfeeding
Having a stable prescription in recent years

Your Consultation

During your laser eye surgery consultation, we will assess your visual acuity and measure your refractive error, just like in a typical eye exam.

We’ll also measure and map your cornea’s surface and thickness and your pupil size. Corneal thickness is important for a successful surgery, and those with large pupils are at a higher risk of some side effects, such as halos around lights while driving at night. We’ll also check for any signs of eye disease or dry eyes that might interfere with surgery.

Finally, we’ll discuss your expectations for laser eye surgery and explain possible short or long-term side effects, including dry eyes or reduced night vision. It’s also good to know you may need glasses or contacts again at some point, particularly when you’re in your 40s and your eyes undergo the natural changes to near vision that happen with presbyopia.

After Your Surgery

When you’re back home after your surgery, we’ll have you come in for a follow-up appointment at our clinic. We’ll use this time to check how your eyes are healing, test your vision, and answer any questions you have about your recovery.

Your eyes begin to heal immediately after surgery and you may have clear vision in just a day or 2, depending on the type of laser vision correction you underwent. It may take several weeks or months for your vision to fully stabilize, though.

We’ll want to see you regularly over the 6 months following your surgery to track your healing progress and help manage any post-operative symptoms you may experience.

Visit Us

Our Address

2093 2nd Avenue
Whitehorse, YT
Y1A 1B5

Our Contacts

Phone: 867-668-2020
Fax: 867-667-6526
Email: eyes@northernlightsoptometry.ca

Find us in downtown Whitehorse across from the Yukon Visitor Information Centre, just steps from Main Street and the Yukon River.

For your convenience, we are wheelchair accessible.

Hours of Operation

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Hours of operation may vary on holidays.

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Our Services

Adult & Senior Eye Exams

Our Brands

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Our Testimonials

We’ve been going to Northern Lights Optometry for 20 years. The service has been always first class. The staff are professional, courteous and knowledgeable about the products they sell. This all lead by Dr. Gorrell who is the consummate professional, always gives professional no BS advice and is always friendly. He is fantastic with kids and helped my son make the transition from glasses to contacts when he was 9. 6 stars for me!!

Marcel B.

Friendly staff and expert advice. We are very fortunate to have this level of service and selection in Whitehorse. They went above and beyond to help me out in a jam! Thanks for the great service and quality care!

Jordan S

Northern Lights Optometry has taken care of my ocular health for the past 30 years. I’ve never had anything but good experiences. Pleasant, knowledgeable staff and kind, professional service are the standard.

Sarah H.

Always a great, professional, and knowledgeable experience for myself and my family, whether it’s a regular eye exam or a diabetic exam. I’ve been a patient at Northern Lights for over 25 years, and I’ve always received the quality customer service I’ve come to expect because that’s what I’ve always received. Great selection of glasses and sunglasses at competitive pricing. I highlight recommend Dr. Gorrell and his staff.

Jill N.

Had been having headaches and fatigue for months when it was suggested I have my eyes checked. Has not had my eyes checked in ten years. I was referred to see Dr. Guy Gorrell by a good friend. Dr. Gorrell was professional and very thorough in his assessment of my eyes and overall vision. In the end Dr. Gorrell was able to diagnose that my eyes did in fact need a prescription lens and my headaches and fatigue were likely due to my straining my eyes to see properly. His friendly and helpful staff assisted me in choosing my frames and in a very short period of time my glasses were available. Since having the prescription glasses my headaches and fatigue have stopped and I am very pleased. I highly recommend Dr. Gorrell and his staff at Northern Lights Optometry.

Laser Eye Surgery Consultation in Whitehorse