As technology has advanced over the years, laser vision correction has become a popular alternative to glasses and contact lenses. Today, our patients have more options in laser vision correction including LASIK, PRK and Implantable lenses. We offer a variety of vision correction techniques because LASIK vision correction is not always the best alternative for each patient. In order to better serve the unique needs of our patients, our doctor may suggest PRK or an implantable lens as other possible alternatives for vision correction surgery.
LASIK
Lasik surgery involves the reshaping of the cornea. The cornea is the part of the eye that helps focus light to create an image on the retina. It works in much the same way that the lens of a camera focuses light to create an image on film. The bending and focusing of light is also known as refraction. One way to help the eye to focus light more effectively is to make small changes to the shape of the cornea. LASIK surgery is a precise form of correcting refractive errors. There are three primary types of refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. If the eye is too short or too long, light cannot focus properly on the retina. This is called either hyperopia (farsightedness) or myopia (nearsightedness). Astigmatism is a distortion of the image on the retina caused by irregularities in the cornea or lens of the eye. Farsightedness can be corrected by steepening the cornea through LASIK and near sightedness can be treated by flattening the cornea.
LASIK Procedure
During your initial evaluation, your doctor will measure the amount of refractive error in each of your eyes. It is also necessary to measure the thickness of your cornea in order to determine you are a good candidate for laser vision correction. You cornea must be measured because patients who have a thin cornea may not be able to undergo LASIK. However, there are a few alternatives for patients with thin cornea: PRK or implantable lenses.
Once you have been examined and you and your doctor have decided that LASIK is the best choice, you will be scheduled for LASIK surgery. During the first step of the LASIK procedure, the surgeon will use a laser to create a thin flap in the cornea. Using the laser minimizes the risk of flap-related complications. After creating the flap in the cornea, a different laser is used to reshape your cornea. The laser sends precise pulses into your eye which accurately remove small amounts of corneal tissue. This allows light to focus more precisely on the retina. After reshaping, the corneal flap is put back over the treated area and the surgery is complete.
Once your LASIK procedure is complete, your surgeon will place a protective patch over the eye. Wearing the protective shield will ensure quick healing. The LASIK procedure does not require stitches, so you will need to wear a shield until your eyes have healed completely. Minor discomfort is common after having a LASIK procedure including itchiness, burning, or watering eyes. You will be scheduled for a follow up appointment for the day following your surgery to ensure proper healing.
IntraLase®
We use the the Intralase® laser which provides our patients with a “blade free” LASIK surgery meaning that the entire procedure is done by laser. Intralase® is computer-guided and it produces precise flap thickness every time. As a result of the accuracy possible with the IntraLase® laser, overall LASIK results are more predictable. Also, with this blade free procedure, there is a much shorter healing time than with other laser eye surgeries.
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
Photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK, was developed as one of the first types of laser vision correction. PRK is still widely used today as an alternative for patients who are not good candidates for LASIK eye surgery. PRK differs from LASIK because it uses a laser to treat the top surface of the cornea, while LASIK creates a flap in the cornea to be lifted back before treatment. Patients with thin or irregular corneas may not be able to undergo LASIK procedure and may find that PRK is the best option. PRK is a safe and effective alternative that creates the same great results as LASIK.
The PRK Procedure
To prepare your eyes for surgery, your surgeon will numb your eyes with numbing drops. Instead of creating a flap with a microkeratome or laser, the doctor will use an excimer laser to remove very small amounts of tissue from the surface of your cornea. The PRK procedure usually takes less than one minute for each eye.
After PRK Surgery
After the procedure is complete, your doctor will place special contact lenses in your eyes to help them heal. Typically these lenses will remain in place for two or three days so the outer corneal layer can regenerate. You will be given medicated eye drops to use for the next several months. You can expect to feel more discomfort for a longer period of time than after LASIK because PRK treats the outer surface of the cornea. Be assured that this is normal, and regular checkups with your doctor will ensure that healing progresses as quickly as possible.
