In order to have clear vision, the cornea in the front of the eye must have the correct shape and power to focus incoming light rays precisely on the retina at the back of the eye. A cornea which is too steep, too flat or irregular in shape cannot bend light at the angle needed to focus on the retina. Glasses or contacts might be needed to refract the incoming light rays at the angle needed for clear vision.
LASIK and Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
Refractive surgery procedures like LASIK and Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) can reshape the cornea which focuses the light rays onto the correct location on the retina. This can reduce and, in many cases, completely eliminate the need for glasses and contacts. If you are interested in finding out if you are a candidate for these procedures, please call 228-1104. Our Refractive Surgery Coordinator will be happy to discuss the process with you, answer your questions and conduct a no-charge LASIK screening to see how refractive surgery can help you.
State of the Art LASIK
Our LASIK procedure uses the “all laser LASIK” technique to modify corneal shape and improve vision. A femtosecond laser is used to force millions of tiny air bubbles in between the first and second, creating a corneal flap and exposing the underlying corneal tissue. Then an excimer laser is used to reshape the underlying laser, through a process called ablation. Once the corneal reshaping is complete, the flap is repositioned and allowed to heal.
LASIK surgery patients can experience improved vision as soon as the day after the surgery and are able to return to work in a day or two, though they must avoid strenuous activity for one week.
Photo-Refractive Keratectomy (PRK)
An alternative procedure to LASIK, Photo-Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) does not involve the creation of a flap. Instead, the surface epithleial cells are removed using an alcohol solution. Then, the excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea. When the procedure is completed, the doctor will cover the cornea with a clear contact lens. This lens will stay in place for about a week while the cornea’s epithelial layer grows back.
PRK patients often experience a slower recovery than those undergoing LASIK but enjoy the same exceptional visual results when healing is complete. PRK may be more appropriate in patients with hyperopia (farsightedness), dry eye, thin corneas, or those with an irregular corneal surface.
