What is
Laser Vision Correction? | Wavefront
| Myopia | Hyperopia
| Astigmatism | Presbyopia
| LASIK |
LASIK FAQs | Making LASIK Affordable
| PRK | LTK
| AK | Monovision
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"I am super excited that
I can see... I can't believe I don't have my contact
lenses in. My vision is excellent!"
-Maria
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Laser Vision Correction is right for many people,
but it may not be the right choice for everyone. If some or most
of the following statement are true for you, then you may be a good
candidate for this procedure.
- My dependence on eyeglasses
and/or contact lenses has always made me feel like a handicap
- I don't tolerate contact lenses very well
- I am an avid sports person and feel my performance
would be enhanced without corrective lenses.
- I sometimes worry that if an emergency arose when
I was not wearing my lenses, I would not be able to help myself
or others.
- My career opportunities would be improved if I
did not have to rely on eyeglasses or contact lenses for distance
vision.
- I would be happy with the results even if it improved
by vision significantly, but I still had to wear corrective lenses
for some purposes.
- I like the way I look better without glasses.
- I adapt well to change
- If Laser Vision Correction can reduce the hassles
of contact lenses or glasses and improves the quality of my life
it is worth the investment
The info in this section can serve only as an intro
to Laser Vision Correction. Your doctor will provide more details
about risks, benefits, and alternatives.
 The
excimer laser is a computer controlled cool ultraviolet beam of
light that reshapes the cornea, or outer window of the eye, in an
effort to allow light to focus more directly on the retina. The
Excimer laser was invented in the early 1980's and has undergone
numerous clinical trials since that time to refine its use and determine
its safety and effectiveness. Initially approved to treat nearsightedness
and now in its second decade of use, the Excimer laser is routinely
used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
There are different methods of correcting these refractive errors,
however the most widely used and most successful, in terms of achieving
desired results is LASIK (Laser In Situ Keratomileusis). LASIK can
correct a much high degree of nearsightedness with or without astigmatism
than most other refractive procedures, with excellent outcomes.
Wavefront allows for a much more accurate and
precise LASIK procedure. By mapping the subtle nuances of the cornea,
Wavefront
produces a more dependable result. The LASIK outcomes today are
radically improved over just a few years ago thanks to this groundbreaking
technique!
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 A
myopic eye has too much focusing power. Light passing through the
eye falls in from of the retina due to excessive curvature of the
cornea, or because the eyeball is too long. When the cornea has
excessive curvature it is said to be too steep. Individuals with
this condition are said to be nearsighted because objects seen in
near range can be seen clearly but those at distance are blurred.
The excimer laser can be used to reshape, or flatten the cornea
of a myopic eye to permit light to focus on the retina, instead
of in front of it.
 A
hyperopic eye has insufficient focusing power. Light passing through
the eye falls behind the retina because the cornea does not have
enough of a curve to properly refract light or the eye is too short.
People with this condition are said to be farsighted because they
are better able to focus on far away objects than on objects close
to them.
The excimer laser can be used to reshape, or steepen the cornea
of a hyperopic eye to permit light to focus on the retina instead
of behind it.
 An
astigmatic cornea lacks a uniform, round surface; it has two different
curvatures. Normal corneas are round like a basketball whereas those
with astigmatism have elongated corneas like a football. This results
in the inability to clearly focus all images on the retina. Light
rays entering the eye are distorted, which blurs vision.
 As
we get older, we gradually lose the ability to change focus from
distance to near. This is a gradual change throughout life but it
usually is not noticeable until the mid-forties. This condition
is called presbyopia, and it makes reading and other close work
difficult. As this occurs, people who have been nearsighted or farsighted
begin to wear bifocals. People who have never worn glasses, begin
to wear reading glasses for close up work.
The excimer laser is not used to treat this condition because reshaping
the cornea will not affect the aging changes occurring to the lens
inside the eye. However, an option called Monovision
is available. With this type of treatment the surgeon fully treats
one eye for distance, and the other eye for near. This leaves one
slightly nearsighted eye for good near vision without glasses. Please
see the Monovision section for more info.
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 LASIK
is the most recent advance in Laser Vision Correction. LASIK uses
the precision of the excimer laser to reshape the cornea. The LASIK
procedure allows for correction of low to more extreme degrees of
myopia and low to moderate degrees of hyperopia and astigmatism.
Because of its many advantages, LASIK is our procedure of choice
in most cases. If you are considering LASIK, your first step is
to visit an eye doctor to see if you are a good candidate for the
procedure and to get the information you need to make an informed
decision. CLICK HERE TO SEE IF YOU ARE A GOOD LASIK
CANDIDATE. If you would like to reduce or eliminate your dependence
on glasses or contact lenses, Laser Vision Correction may be an
option for you.
Your eye doctor can conduct a thorough examination to determine
whether your eyes are healthy and suitable for the procedure. Your
eyes will be measured and photographed with a computerized map to
assess the shape of your cornea. It will also depend on a number
of medical considerations including your prescription strength,
corneal thickness and general medical health to name a few. Other
factors include, your lifestyle and your expectations. Speaking
with someone who has had the procedure, as well as to your eye doctor,
can help you make the right decision. Below is a few general characteristics
that may help to determine if you are a good Candidate for Laser
Vision Correction.
- You must have healthy eyes and be at least 18 years
old to undergo the procedure
- Stable refraction for at least l year before the
procedure
- You are not a good candidate if you have autoimmune
disease, if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you have certain
eye diseases such as herpetic keratitis, or keratoconus.
Assuming your eye doctor determines that you are a
good candidate for Laser Vision Correction, the decision is ultimately
up to you. It is important that you have realistic expectations
and that your decision is based on facts, not hopes or misconceptions.
The goal of LASIK is to reduce the dependence on corrective lenses.
Only you know what impact wearing glasses and or Contact Lenses
has had on the quality of your life, and only you know the value
to you of reducing your dependency on these visual aids.
Laser
Vision Correction is an outpatient procedure that takes less than
15 minutes to complete for most patients. First you will relax in
a reclining chair. Anesthetic drops will be placed in your eye,
your doctor will position you under the laser, and a small retainer
will be used to gently and comfortably hold your eyelids open during
the procedure. The doctor enters your prescription into the computer.
The surgeon then uses a special device to create a thin protective
flap on the cornea. You will be asked to focus on a blinking light
for a minute or less while the laser reshapes the cornea. Then the
protective flap is folded back in place where it bonds securely
without the need for stitches. The doctor will view your eye directly
through a surgical microscope to ensure that you are fixating properly
and can pause at any time. The procedure itself is painless. You
may feel a little pressure, but not discomfort.
Wavefront allows for a much more accurate and precise LASIK procedure.
By mapping the subtle nuances of the cornea, Wavefront produces a more dependable result. The LASIK outcomes today are
radically improved over just a few years ago thanks to this groundbreaking
technique!
LASIK offers a number of benefits over other forms of Laser
Vision Correction because it is performed under a protective layer
of corneal tissue. As a result, there is less surface area to heal,
less risk of scarring, less risk of corneal haze, less postoperative
discomfort, less postoperative need for medications, and vision
returns more rapidly, often within several hours. Although postoperative
results vary, most patients are able to pass a drivers license test
without their glasses or CL's
Millions of people are enjoying the benefits of improved vision
by Laser Vision Correction. The outcome data shows extremely predictable
results. The FDA has recognized Laser Vision Correction for nearsightedness
and farsightedness with or without astigmatism, and found the treatment
safe and effective for eligible patients. Clinical trials have demonstrated
more than 80% of patients could see 20/20 after one year, and 98%
of patients could see 20/40 or better and were able to function
normally and even drive without glasses or CL's.
As with any procedure (or even the use of contact lenses) problems
can occur. It is important to choose a skilled eye surgeon who is
experienced in refractive procedures. If you are determined to be
a good candidate, the chances of having a serious vision-threatening
complication from Laser Vision Correction is much less than 1%.
Complications and side effects can include:
- Infection
- Overcorrection/Undercorrection
- Decrease in best vision (even with glasses)
- Glare and halos at night
- Dry eyes
No medical procedure is risk-free. You need to discuss
the procedure fully with your doctor.
Most people go back to work the day after treatment.
The day after the procedure you should notice markedly improved
vision. Stable vision recovery is usually attained within two or
three weeks. The speed with which your vision improves will be affected
by your individual rate of healing and the degree of refractive
error.
Once the eye is completely healed, your vision will be stable. Vision
may occasionally fluctuate when you are extremely tired or under
a lot of stress. This is also experienced by those who wear CLs
and in some cases those who never wear corrective lenses
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Laser Vision Correction is not inexpensive but it
makes a lot of financial sense. If you consider the cost of 10 years
of soft contact lens wear for nearsightedness and astigmatism including
lens fitting, lens replacements, cleaning systems, etc., having
LASIK laser vision correction has actually been calculated to be
less expensive. After 10 years of contact lens wear, you have nothing
to show for your investment, since you would still see poorly without
glasses or contacts. After Laser Vision Correction, you would likely
not need distance correction for the rest of your life.
Nonetheless, for many people, finding the money to
pay for Laser Vision Correction can be difficult. There are several
ways of reducing your vision correction costs while maintaining
quality care.
One of the best ways to reduce your costs is a flexible
spending health plan. Many employer health plans include flexible
spending accounts that allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars for
eligible (healthcare-related) expenses. Depending upon your income
and tax bracket, this could save you as much as $2,000.
Contributions to these plans are made through automatic
and regular deductions from your paychecks. Since the funds placed
in the account are not taxed, they go much further in covering eligible
medical expenses. Laser Vision Correction is an eligible expense,
which means that your flexible benefits options can help you pay
for the correction of your nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or
astigmatism. For more information on this type of plan, consult
with your health insurance benefits administrator. CLICK HERE TO
SEE HOW FLEXIBLE SPENDING PLAN BENEFITS CAN LOWER YOUR EFFECTIVE
COST OF LASER VISION CORRECTION
The IRS has ruled that Laser Vision Correction is
a tax-deductible medical expense. Therefore, you may be eligible
for income tax deductions associated with your Laser Vision Correction
procedure. Please check with your accountant or the IRS for more
information.
Many patients have credit ratings which qualify them
for credit cards which are either interest-free or have extremely
low interest rates over the course of the first year. Some patients
have paid for vision correction with this credit card and saved
money over the course of that year to pay off the balance before
they incur significant interest.
The interest rate on Home Equity Loans is generally
relatively low. This is one way to borrow the money for your laser
procedure without incurring high interest costs.
For patients who would need to pay off their laser
costs over a long period of time, financing plans with various interest
rates are available through our office and through TLC.
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 Photo-Refractive
Keratectomy (PRK) was the first refractive surgery to use the excimer
laser. Like LASIK, PRK can be used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness,
and astigmatism. The difference between LASIK and PRK is that, in
PRK, the corneal flap is not created. Instead, the laser removes
corneal tissue directly from the outside layer of the eye. PRK can
be very effective, but it usually requires a longer healing time
than LASIK. Ask your doctor if PRK may be the right choice for you!
If
you are over the age of 40 and are looking for a way to improve
your distance vision, Laser Thermal Keratoplasty (LTK) may be right
for you! LTK is a noninvasive, outpatient procedure that corrects
farsightedness. The doctor uses 16 pulses from a special laser to
ablate tissue and steepen your cornea. The result is improved distance
vision (and often better near vision as well). While the results
of LTK are not always permanent, good vision can last anywhere from
two years to a lifetime, depending on the individual. LTK is a good
choice for those over 40 who want to avoid invasive surgical procedures
and who want to correct farsightedness. Because only the laser's
light touches your eye, LTK is considered to be quite safe. Contact
our office today to learn more about what LTK can do for you!
Astigmatic
Keratotomy, or AK, is a surgical procedure that is used to treat
astigmatism. Astigmatism occurs when the shape of the cornea is
uneven -- it is curved more in one direction than the other. AK
works to even out your eyes' curvature by using a serious of incisions.
AK may be a good choice for you if astigmatism is your main vision
problem or if you will be undergoing cataract surgery.
Dr.
Epitropoulos of Ophthalmic Surgeons was the first in the country
to offer AK patients a new take on the procedure. Her innovation
has gained national attention and has been featured by both local
and national news organizations. Her technique involves the use
of a new tool known as the Terry astigmatome. The instrument is
a small plastic piece that is divided into ten degree increments.
It helps surgeons know where to make the incisions during AK, reducing
error and improving consistency and results. While other ophthalmologists
have used the device in the operating room, Dr. Epitropoulos was
the first in the country to do the procedure in the office. Here
her patients' eyes are first numbed with special drops, the Terry
astigmatome is inserted, and then Dr. Epitropoulos makes the necessary
incisions. All of this happens while the patient is sitting up at
the slit lamp. To read an article written about Dr. Epitropoulos
and her breakthrough use of technology, click here!
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As we get older we gradually lose
the ability to change focus from distance to near. This condition
is called presbyopia and comes from a loss of flexibility of the
lens inside the eye, as well as other age-related changes. This
occurs is a gradual change throughout life but it usually is not
noticeable until the mid forties"Presby" means older and
"opia" refers to eyes. Although we may call this "reading
vision" it is the vision that we use for eating, putting on
makeup, looking at a watch and other near tasks. If you are nearsighted,
and also presbyopic, you may use this to your advantage by removing
your glasses or contact lenses to see up close. After Laser Vision
Correction, the natural focus of the eye has usually been adjusted
for distance. It is as if you are always wearing your distance glasses
or contact lenses and can't take them off to read. Regardless of
previous prescription, if both eyes are corrected for distance,
reading glasses will be necessary in people with presbyopia.
To decrease the need for reading glasses, the technique
of creating monovision may be helpful. With monovision the doctor
fully treats one eye (usually the dominant eye) for distance, and
the other eye for near. This leaves one slightly nearsighted (myopic)
eye for good near vision without glasses.
Monovision can help you maintain reading vision in
one eye to avoid total dependence on reading glasses. With monovision
you must often give up some distance sharpness to avoid the reading
glasses. A weak distance lens at times for the nearsighted eye may
be helpful for night driving. Near glasses may be needed at times
for extended or difficult reading. Many patients already experience
monovision in their contact lenses and are aware of its benefits
and limitations. A trial period with contact lenses may help determine
if monovision would be a good option for you.
Monovision is a compromise of both distance and near
vision. Depth perception can also be affected. Monovision is a compromise
for those people over forty who are motivated enough to avoid reading
glasses and are willing to accept a reduction in their distance
vision. For people with high visual demands like sports or constant
near work, we recommend full distance correction with glasses for
near vision.
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