Our ServicesSince the FDA approved the use of the Excimer Laser for Laser Vision Correction, in 1995, millions of people in the US and even more around the world have been freed from the need for glasses and contact lenses. The technology that led up to the approval included radial keratotomy (RK), which has been all but abandoned, and PRK which is still used in selected patients who are not candidates for LASIK. The approval was originally for nearsightedness only, but as the technology has advanced, vision correction can now be performed for people with astigmatism and farsightedness as well. In PRK, the surface (epithelial) cells are removed and the laser treatment is applied to the second layer of the cornea to change its shape and thereby its focal point. At the end of the procedure a bandage contact lens is placed, which remains for 3 to 5 days while the epithelium regrows. This procedure is generally not as comfortable as LASIK and takes longer to heal than LASIK, however both procedures give equally good vision.In LASIK a protective flap is created in the front of the eye (cornea) with a microkeratome. The flap is then folded back to expose the central layers of the cornea. Laser treatment is then performed using the Excimer Laser on the inner layers to change the focal point of incoming light rays. The central cornea is flattened to correct nearsightedness, steepened for farsightedness and rounded for astigmatism. The flap is then repositioned and it adheres without the need for stitches. You will leave the clinic wearing sunglasses, and go home to sleep for 4 to 5 hours during which time the flap will adhere in the correct position. You can expect very cloudy vision until after that nap. For most patients the excitement begins the next morning when they discover that they are fully capable of driving themselves to the one day post-op visit! LASIK is brief and offers minimal discomfort. We recommend that patients take Valium before the procedure to achieve mild sedation. The Valium also helps patients sleep after the procedure. The eye is numbed with anesthetic drops. The eyelids are held open with a special retainer, so the patient does not have to worry about blinking. Movement of the eye is usually not a problem because the patient is motivated to look at the fixation light in the laser and Dr. Gold uses state-of-the-art "tracking" technology. Antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and lubricating drops are used following the procedure. The most typical reaction the first morning after surgery is: "I can't believe I can see the clock without glasses!" Here at Liberty Vision we can bring you LASER VISION CORRECTION at an affordable price.
|
|||||||
