How the Eye Sees | Laser Vision Correction | Contact Lenses and Other Opthalmologic Services

When light rays hit the eye they pass through the cornea (window of the eye) and are focused on one point, the retina. Refractive errors occur when the cornea is shaped irregularly and the light is not directed properly on the retina.

Myopia (nearsightedness) occurs when the cornea is too steep and the light rays focus on a point before the retina. Near vision will be clearer than distance vision. Distance visions starts to fade in adolescent years, and is eventually lost in the early twenties.

Hyperopia (farsightedness) occurs when the cornea is too flat and the light rays focus on a point behind the retina. In this instance, distance vision is clearer than near vision. Mild hyperopia can be accommodated for without glasses, but higher degrees need glasses or contact lenses for correction

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is not round like a basketball, but is shaped more like a football. As light rays pass through the cornea, they cannot focus on a single point. Some degree of myopia or hyperopia is also usually present with astigmatism, so both errors will need to be corrected.

LASIK
LASIK is an acronym for Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, which mean “to use a laser to shape the cornea.” It corrects vision by reshaping the cornea (outer window of the eye) so the light rays focus more precisely on the retina, thereby reducing or eliminating refractive errors.

The procedure:

The doctor will begin by numbing the eyes with anesthetic eye drops. The eyelids are held back and a small flap on the thin outer layer of the cornea is cut with an instrument called a microkeratome. The corneal flap is folded aside; the excimer laser is positioned over the eye, and using preset measurements it begins to remove the appropriate areas of corneal tissue. The flap is then replaced with no stitches required; the two layers of tissue will heal completely. The entire procedure takes only a few minutes and patients can usually go back to their routine the very next day.

In order to treat nearsightedness, the cornea will need to be flattened. Tissue is removed from the center of the cornea.

In order to treat farsightedness, the cornea will need to be made steeper. Tissue is removed around the outside of the cornea.

In order to treat astigmatism, the cornea will need to be more spherical. By changing the pattern of the beam, tissue is removed from the appropriate areas.

“Microkeratomes have evolved into a very safe surgical instrument. Using them during LASIK allows a doctor to achieve predictable and permanent results for his patient and o reduce the patient's healing time. Microkeratomes are also helpful in diminishing the discomfort a patient feels following the LASIK procedure, and they allow many more refractive errors to be corrected.” – quote from Dr. Grochmal

VISX Custom Vue
CustomVue refractive eye surgery integrates corneal mapping, the use of the FDA-approved VISX laser, and technologically advanced computer equipment to allow a patient's vision to be corrected at a much more precise degree than traditional refractive eye surgery. First, instead of using the standard lens test (Which one is better--No. 1 or No. 2?), our surgeons perform corneal mapping. During this procedure, a tiny computer reads the eyes and evaluates exactly what types of correction are needed and to which degree. This computer, called WaveFront, then transmits this customized prescription to the VISX, the extremely safe, FDA-approved laser used to perform all CustomVue refractive eye surgeries. The VISX laser allows for vision correction to the nearest 1/100 of a power--making it 25 times more effective than refractive eye surgery performed without CustomVue.

According to recent FDA studies, 100% of 189 patients who underwent CustomVue refractive eye surgery reported post-operative 20/40 vision or better without contact lenses or glasses, 94% reported 20/20 vision, and 74% reported 20/16 vision or better. The overwhelming majority of those studied also reported that their night vision was much sharper and stronger after the surgery than ever before. To find out if you are a good candidate, please contact us today.

PRK
PRK is an acronym for photorefractive keratectomy. Like LASIK, PRK corrects vision by reshaping the cornea with the excimer laser. Unlike LASIK, however, PRK takes tissue from the outer layer of the cornea rather than from underneath. The corneal flap is not created, instead the laser is positioned directly over the eye and the laser begins removing the tissue directly from the outer layer. The procedure takes only a few minutes, however, a soft contact lens will have to be worn over the eye to reduce discomfort and help in the healing process. Patients can expect to return to their daily routine within a few days.

Contact Lenses
Specialty Lenses – There are a number of contact lens options available for patients including toric lenses for astigmatism, bifocal lenses (soft and rigid gas permeable) for those patients needing correction for both distance and near vision, and monovision lenses when is need when one eye is corrected for distance and the other is corrected for near vision.

Cataracts
Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, causing vision to become blurry. This occurs as a person grows older, though in rare cases cataracts can occur at a younger age. Cataracts can be surgically removed using a procedure called phaco-emulsification. In this procedure, a small incision is made on the eye, then an ultrasonic instrument uses sound vibrations to break up the lens, and finally the fragments are sucked out of the eye. An intraocular lens (IOL) is placed in the space left by the natural lens and in most cases the incision heals by itself. Patients can usually return to their daily routine within a few days.

Glaucoma
Glaucoma occurs when fluids in the eye cannot drain properly. The result is increased intraocular pressure and if left untreated, the optic nerve will be damaged and the final result will be blindness. Glaucoma can be treated in a number of ways by lowering the intraocular pressure. Medicated eye drops, laser therapy, and drainage implants are all viable avenues for successful treatment.

Ocular plastic surgery
Several other cosmetic surgery options are available including blepharoplasty, a surgical procedure that can lift droopy eyes and remove bags from under the eyes. The treatment can correct the natural effects of aging or correct a congenital condition.

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