Vision Without the Dependence Upon Glasses or Contact Lenses?

Refractive Surgery

Since the 1970's, incisional refractive correction has treated refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism in patients all over the world, allowing them to experience a new kind of freedom. It's the freedom to perform daily activities in life, such as driving, seeing an alarm clock, or playing sports, without the dependence upon glasses or contact lenses.

Laser Vision Correction

In 1983, it was found that the Excimer Laser could be used to reshape the surface of the cornea. The efficiency and accuracy of the refractive lasers allows for extremely precise and gentle reshaping of the cornea, bringing light to focus more precisely on the retina, thereby reducing or eliminating a variety of refractive errors.

Laser in-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) are procedures performed with the Excimer Laser to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a refractive error in which close objects are seen clearly but distant objects appear blurred.

Laser Correction for nearsightedness, and farsightedness is done at our laser suite in a total time (registration, preparation and procedure) of about one hour. Topical anesthetic in the form of eyedrops, is used to numb the eye prior to the procedure. Medication eye drops are used following the procedure to promote healing, prevent infection and lessen any discomfort. The accuracy of the Excimer Laser provides physicians with much more consistent and predictable results than incisional procedures (RK).

How It Works

Refractive surgery techniques change the shape of the cornea so images are focused correctly on the retina at the back of the eye. In nearsighted people, for example, the curvature of the cornea is too steep or the eye is too long, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina, resulting in blurry vision. Laser Vision Correction reduces the curvature of the cornea by gently reshaping it, to allow the eye to focus distant images correctly.

Success and Realistic Expectations

Lasik Laser Vision Correction is very successful. Studies show that over 95% of patients that have refractive surgery are able to pass a standard driver's license exam (20/40 visual acuity or better) without wearing eye glasses. The goal of any refractive procedure is to reduce the dependence upon corrective lenses. Laser Vision Correction does not always create 20/20 vision. Patients contemplating this procedure should be aware and understand this. Touchup procedures, or "enhancements" may be necessary to fine tune correction.