Services
Refractive Eye Surgery
LASIK
LASIK surgery is performed by creating a small flap of corneal tissue that is elevated. The eximer laser treatment is applied and the flap is repositioned. Although there is slightly more risk of complications associated with LASIK compared to PRK, it is associated with less pain, quicker visual recovery and more convenience since both eyes can be operated on at the same time. For many, the benefits of quicker recovery from LASIK outweigh the slight increase in surgical risk.
PRK
PRK, a similar procedure to LASIK, is performed by removing the top layer of the cornea (the skin), the eximer laser treatment is applied and the "skin" is left to heal back in on its own. Normally, a contact lens is worn for 3-5 days to promote healing and minimize pain. There is slightly less surgical risk associated with this procedure as there is no flap created, thus there is no risk of flap complications. It is, however, a more inconvenient procedure as there is delayed visual recovery and there can be more pain during the healing process. For most, the risk of experiencing these temporary inconvenient post op symptoms is outweighed by the benefits of faster, less painful visual recovery associated with LASIK.
Both of the these procedures produce the same visual results. Some patients may qualify for one or the other procedure whereas most patients will qualify for either. Please discuss all of your options with your ophthalmologist.
CustomVue TREATMENTS and IRIS REGISTRATION (for better centration) are also available for all LASIK and PRK procedures. These enhancements have greatly improved the accuracy of refractive laser eye surgery. Call today for more information on this exciting new advance in refractive surgery.
Both of the these procedures produce the same visual results. Some patients may qualify for one or the other procedure whereas most patients will qualify for either. Please discuss all of your options with your ophthalmologist.
CustomVue TREATMENTS and IRIS REGISTRATION (for better centration) are also available for all LASIK and PRK procedures. These enhancements have greatly improved the accuracy of refractive laser eye surgery. Call today for more information on this exciting new advance in refractive surgery.
Refractive Lens Implants
Multifocal Lens Implant
Currently approved by the FDA for implantation only at the time of cataract surgery, this exciting new lens implant provides correction of both distance and near vision without the need for glasses. Although some people notice glare and halos around lights at night, the greatly reduced dependence on eyeglasses more than offsets this sometimes annoying side effect. Occasionally, some patients receiving this lens implant will require weak reading glasses while working at the computer and very rarely, eyeglasses may be required for some tasks at near. Some patients may choose to receive the MULTIFOCAL lens implant to reduce their dependence on glasses before they develop cataracts. The patient must, however, understand that this is an "off-label" use of this product (not FDA approved for this purpose) and must sign an informed consent that states that they understand this fact as well as all of the risks and benefits of the procedure.Acrysof Toric Implant
The Acrysof Toric Implant is a special premium implant that is placed in the eye at the time of cataract surgery. The implant helps to greatly reduce naturally occurring astigmatism. Like the MULTIFOCAL lens implant, it can only be implanted in patients with visually significant cataracts.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require further information regarding these exciting ways to eliminate or reduce your dependence on eyeglasses.
Understanding Surgical Correction of Refractive Errors
Nearsightedness
Also known as myopia, this is the ability to see up close throughout life without glasses. However, these individuals require distance glasses their entire life. As noted in the diagram, light rays from a distant target are focused in front of the retina. These individuals require minus (-) lenses in front of the eye which can range anywhere from –.50 to –14.00. Any prescription higher than–4.50, however, will probably require the patient to hold things to close to the face in order to see them clearly and will be more comfortable with his glasses on. This condition results from the eye being too long (the longer the eye the higher the minus lens required).
Surgical Options:
LASIK
PRK
MULTIFOCAL LENS IMPLANT
Surgical Options:
LASIK
PRK
MULTIFOCAL LENS IMPLANT
Farsightedness
Also known as hyperopia, this is the ability to see up close and in the distance up until a certain age without glasses. When that certain age is reached, the vision will become blurry at distance and near. As noted in the diagram, light rays from a distant target are focused beyond the retina. These patients require a plus (+) lens in front of the eye to see clearly which can range from +.50 to +14.00. This condition results from the eye being too short. The shorter the eye the higher the plus lens required and the earlier in life the individual will require glasses.
Surgical Options:
LASIK
PRK
MULTIFOCAL LENS IMPLANT
Surgical Options:
LASIK
PRK
MULTIFOCAL LENS IMPLANT
Astigmatism
This refers to corneas which have an irregular shape. In people who do not have astigmatism, the eye has the regular curvature of a basketball. With astigmatism the eye has more of the irregular curvature of a football. Note in the diagram that light rays are focused at all different locations in relation to the retina. Therefore, patients with astigmatism almost always require glasses.
Surgical Options:
LASIK
PRK
Acrysof Toric IOL
Surgical Options:
LASIK
PRK
Acrysof Toric IOL
Cataract Surgery
Cataract Surgery
Cataract Surgery is the most common and most successful surgery performed in the world!! Over the last 25 to 30 years the procedure has been revolutionized. Incision sizes have been reduced by 80% and the occurrence of infection has been reduced by over 95%.
Primarily, cataract surgery is a functional procedure that replaces the cloudy lens of the eye with a clear implant. Today, however, because of the advances in technology, cataract surgery is as much a refractive procedure as it is a functional procedure. As is usually the case when technology advances, the consumer (or patient in this case) has more options to choose from! Read on to learn your options.
Primarily, cataract surgery is a functional procedure that replaces the cloudy lens of the eye with a clear implant. Today, however, because of the advances in technology, cataract surgery is as much a refractive procedure as it is a functional procedure. As is usually the case when technology advances, the consumer (or patient in this case) has more options to choose from! Read on to learn your options.
Standard Lens Implant
Until recently, this was the only choice of lens implants so the discussion of "which implant" you would choose for your surgery was not discussed. The standard implant is a monofocal implant which means it can only focus light at distance (driving, watching T.V., etc.) or near (reading, computer, etc.), but not both at the same time. Additionally, these lenses do not correct astigmatism. So if you do have astigmatism and you choose this implant, you will most likely require a pair of bifocals or progressives in order to achieve excellent visual acuity postoperatively. If you are fortunate enough to not have astigmatism, then you will more than likely achieve acceptable vision at distance or near without glasses with this implant but not both.
