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Thursday, February 23, 2012
| Laser Vision Correction |
| The goal of laser vision correction is to greatly reduce or completely eliminate your need for corrective eyeglasses. The decision to have the procedure is an important one and we will assist you with every step of the way. We will share our resources, experience, and knowledge as we consult with you so that you are fully informed about the procedure, understand the benefits and avoid unrealistic expectations. We will examine not only yours eyes, but also your lifestyle, so that together we can determine if you are, or are not, a candidate for laser vision correction. |
| Select a topic below by clicking on it. Information for that topic will be displayed in the topic information area to the right. |
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| LASIK |
| One of the most popular ways to correct vision is with a procedure called LASIK (Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis), which uses a laser to change the curvature of the cornea (outer window of the eye). LASIK removes tissue within the cornea to treat low to high levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. LASIK has quickly become the procedure of choice for most patients because they recover quickly and have fewer side effects and complications than with other methods of vision correction. In fact, most LASIK patients notice a significant improvement in their vision soon after surgery. |
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| Before your LASIK begins, numbing eye drops will be applied to your eyes so you don't feel any discomfort during the procedure. The doctor will have you lie down, then make sure your eye is positioned directly under the laser. (One eye is operated on at a time.) A kind of retainer is placed under your eyelids to keep them open — normally, this is not uncomfortable. |
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 The surgeon will use an ink marker to mark the cornea before the corneal flap is created. The flap is then created with either a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser. Whichever device is used, it is securely attached to your cornea with a suction ring to prevent eye movements or loss of contact that could affect flap quality. During the procedure you won't actually see the creation of the flap, which is very thin. |
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 The surgeon uses a computer to adjust the excimer laser for your particular prescription. You will be asked to look at a target light for a short time while he or she watches your eye through a microscope as the laser sends pulses of light to your cornea. The laser light pulses painlessly to reshape the cornea. You'll hear a steady clicking sound while the laser is operating. You also may smell a mild odor during the laser treatment; this is normal. |
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 The surgeon will then reposition the corneal flap back over the cornea. No sutures are needed and spontaneous adhesion of the flap occurs in few days. |
| PRK |
| PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) was one of the first procedures performed using the Excimer laser. It corrects vision by reshaping the cornea. The difference between LASIK and PRK is that with LASIK a corneal flap is created and the laser is applied to the inner tissue of the cornea. With PRK, the epithelium (or outer skin of the cornea) is removed and a laser is applied to the surface of the cornea. PRK can be used to correct low to high levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. |
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| Before your PRK begins, numbing eye drops will be applied to your eyes so you don't feel any discomfort during the procedure. The doctor will have you lie down, then make sure your eye is positioned directly under the laser. (One eye is operated on at a time.) A kind of retainer is placed under your eyelids to keep them open — normally, this is not uncomfortable. |
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 The surgeon then uses the laser (a cool, concentrated beam of ultraviolet light) to remove the surface layer of the cornea and reshape the underlying tissue. |
| Who is a candidate? |
| The following factors should be taken into account when deciding if you are a good candidate for laser vision correction. |
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Do you have the desire to reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses or contacts? |
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Are at least 18 years of age? |
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Has your current eye prescription been stable for at least one year? |
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Are you taking specific medications that will influence healing? |
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Are you pregnant or breastfeeding? |
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| Whether or not you're a good candidate for laser vision correction can only be decided in consultation with your ophthalmologist, who must take into account many factors. This includes the shape of your cornea, the amount of tissue that will need to be removed for your specific prescription, how thick your cornea may be, along with the dry eye status and the anatomy of your eye. |
| After LASIK Surgery |
| Following LASIK surgery, patients can expect a short recovery period. You may be required to wear a protective shield over your eyes for the first night or two following the procedure. Your doctor may also instruct you to take antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, or moistening eye drops, and to wear dark eyeglasses if you experience sensitivity to bright lights. |
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| Most patients are able to return to work and other daily activities the day after the procedure. There is usually little to no postoperative discomfort after LASIK surgery and follow-up exams during recovery are required to ensure that your eyes heal properly. It is recommended that you go to sleep right after LASIK surgery to reduce post-operative pain. When you wake up, you should already notice improved vision. |
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| After PRK Surgery |
| PRK healing time is generally longer and more uncomfortable than LASIK recovery time. Improved vision will not be noticeable for about one to two weeks. The following steps should be taken to insure a complete recovery. |
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During your recovery time period, you will be required to wear a bandage contact lens |
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You will be given antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops |
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You should go home and try to sleep immediately following the procedure |
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Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes |
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Avoid physical activity for a few days after surgery |
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Do not wear make-up or other products around the eye area for a week following surgery |
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Avoid swimming for a couple weeks after surgery |
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Avoid contact sports for at least a month after surgery |
| Benefits |
| Laser vision correction promises a new freedom for the majority of those who wear glasses or contact lenses. There is nothing quite like being able to see clearly without the aid of glasses or contacts after being dependent for so long. |
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| Wouldn’t it be nice if you didn’t have to struggle to see the alarm clock in the morning? Wouldn’t it be better if you didn’t have to take out your contacts at night to go to bed? Wouldn’t it be easier if you could participate in fitness activities without worrying about breaking your glasses? It’s just a better way to live your life. |
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Rquest Appointment  |
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