LASIK

                "Reduce or eliminate your need for glasses."   

         

 

 

 

 

 

 




LASIK surgery is a dream come true for a growing number of Americans every year. Why? Because LASIK has helped many to reduce or in most cases, eliminate their need for contacts and eyeglasses.

LASIK surgery can benefit people who can't wear contacts due to dry eyes, allergies, or eye infections. While glasses are always an option, they may limit side vision and often are impractical. Professional firefighters, police officers, athletes and many others, find glasses often interfere with job performance and recreational activities. For these people, surgery offers a new alternative-clear vision without corrective lenses.

Refractive surgery is a general term used to describe a procedure that changes the way images focus in your eye. The cornea and the lens refract light rays. The retina receives the picture formed by these rays and sends the image to the brain through the optic nerve so you can see.

A refractive error means that the shape of your eye doesn't refract the light properly, so that the image you see is blurred. There are four types of refractive errors: myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (distorted vision) which may coexist with either myopia or hyperopia, and presbyopia (or "aging eye" where your eye gradually loses its ability to focus up close). In most cases myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism can be successfully corrected through refractive surgery.

 

        

 

Hyperopia
Astigmatism
Myopia

 

Refractive surgery can promise improved vision for most people, but it can't promise perfect 20/20 vision for everyone. The level of improvement depends on the severity of the refractive disorder and the procedure that you choose. Today CustomCorneaź Wavefront on the LADARVision Laser provides more precise vision than ever before.

The actual surgery is very brief, and is usually performed with a local anesthetic. Many patients notice an immediate improvement in their vision, however, a steady, gradual improvement will usually occur over a period of days to weeks. The potential benefits of LASIK are wonderful, but like any surgical procedure, there is some risk of complications and side effects. Our staff will give you a complete overview of all the information you need. Together, we will jointly determine if refractive surgery is the best option for you. Please take a moment to request a free, personal consultation with Dr. Campion, or Dr. Pfister, by calling 1-800-598-5444 for the office near you.

 

What is LASIK

LASIK or Laser in-Situ Keratomileusis treats refractive errors by reshaping or flattening the curve of the corneal tissue beneath the surface of the cornea using the excimer laser. The excimer laser is able to create extremely accurate, intense pulses of light that produce very little heat and leave surrounding tissue untouched. By using a computer that precisely calculates the exact amount of cornea to be removed, LASIK uses the latest technology to correct a much wider range of refractive errors than PRK or RK.

The center of the cornea is flattened during the LASIK procedure to allow light rays to focus more directly on the retina, making images clearer. First, a thin layer of the cornea is lifted up and a "flap" is created as an automated microkeratome (an instrument that can make extremely thin and precise cuts) moves across the cornea. In less than 60 seconds, ultraviolet light and high-energy pulses from the excimer laser reshape the internal cornea with extreme accuracy. When the corneal flap is put back into place, the natural pressure in your eye holds it in place, so stitches are not necessary.
                                                  
The actual surgery takes no longer than 15 minutes and the time it takes to heal from surgery is much shorter with LASIK than with PRK or RK. Most patients notice improved vision within the first few days of the procedure. Other advantages include considerably less chance of developing corneal haze, minimal patient discomfort after the procedure, and stable vision within a few days following LASIK.

A possible complication of LASIK, and of most types of eye surgery is infection, which is rare, but it can be treated with antibiotics. The other concern with this procedure is that the corneal cap can be lost, distorted or scarred which can impact the quality of your vision after surgery. At Southwestern Eye Center, we take special precautions to help prevent infections and use one of the most advanced microkeratomes to create the corneal flap.

Today CustomCorneaź Wavefront on the LADARVision Laser provides more precise vision than ever before.


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