Have you ever wondered what clear vision would be like without glasses or contact lens?

LASIK Laser Vision Correction can reduce dependency upon corrective lenses allowing a degree of freedom and lifestyle enhancement unimaginable until recently. And, LASIK is more affordable than you may think.

What is LASIK?
Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis, or LASIK, is an outpatient surgical procedure used to treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. With LASIK, your ophthalmologist (Eye MD) uses a microsurgical instrument and laser to reshape the cornea (the clear covering of the eye) to improve the way the eye focuses light rays onto the retina.

LASIK may decrease your dependence on glasses and contacts or, in some cases, allow you to do without them entirely. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, seven out of 10 LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision, but 20/20 does not always mean perfect vision. If you have LASIK to correct your distance vision, you'll probably still need reading glasses by around age 45. Therefore, it is important for you to consider the possibility that LASIK may not give you perfect vision.

Am I a good candidate for LASIK?
LASIK is not for everyone, and your ophthalmologist will advise you about certain conditions that may prevent you from being a good candidate for this procedure.

For instance, the ideal candidate for LASIK is over 18 years of age, not pregnant or nursing, and free of any eye disease. You should not have had a change in your eye prescription in the last year and should have a refractive error within the range of correction for LASIK.

You must also be willing to accept the potential risks, complications and side effects associated with LASIK. You should discuss these issues with your surgeon, carefully weighing the risks and rewards. If you're happy wearing contacts or glasses, you may want to forego the surgery.

How is LASIK done?
LASIK is performed with the patient seated in a reclining chair and in an outpatient surgical suite.

1. First, the eye is numbed with a few drops of topical anesthetic. These drops may sting. An eyelid holder (called a speculum) is placed between the eyelids to keep them open and prevent you from blinking.
2. A suction ring placed on the eye lifts and flattens the cornea and helps keep your eye from moving. You may feel pressure from the eyelid holder and suction ring, similar to a finger pressed firmly on your eyelid. From the time the suction ring is put on the eye until it is removed, vision appears dim or goes black.
3. An automated microsurgical instrument called a microkeratome is attached to the suction ring. As the microkeratome blade moves across the cornea, you will hear a buzzing sound. The microkeratome stops at a preset point, far enough from the edge of the cornea to create a hinged flap of paper-thin corneal tissue.
4. The microkeratome and the suction ring are removed from your eye, and the flap is lifted and folded back. As the flap moves, your vision gets blurrier. The laser, preprogrammed with measurements customized to your eye, is then centered above the eye. In most cases, a pupil tracker will be used to keep the laser centered on your pupil during surgery.
5. You will stare at a special pinpoint light called a fixation light or target light while the laser sculpts the exposed corneal tissue. The laser makes an audible clicking sound during the procedure. After the laser has completed reshaping the cornea, the surgeon places the flap back into position and smoothes the edges. The flap adheres on its own in two to three minutes.

Because very little of the epithelium is disturbed during LASIK, patients report a high comfort level after the procedure. In most cases, patients can go back to their daily routines the day after surgery and visual acuity is usually restored within a few days, rather than weeks required by earlier procedures.

If you would like to schedule a screening, please contact us today.