WHAT IS LASER VISION CORRECTION?

Since the late 1970's, incisional refractive surgery (RK) has treated nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism in patients all over the world, allowing them to experience a new kind of freedom.  It is the kind of freedom that allows people to make lifestyle choices that were not options to them before because they were totally dependent on glasses or contact lenses.

In 1995, refractive surgery experienced the dawning of a new era with the advent of the Excimer Laser.  Laser in-Situ Keratomileusis or LASIK uses the excimer laser in a surgical process that corrects both eyes and takes less than 30 minutes to perform and can eliminate your dependency on contact lenses and glasses. 

Laser vision correction can truly change your life. You can experience the freedom of seeing clearly when playing sports, swimming, even something as simple as seeing the alarm clock when getting up in the morning.

Laser vision correction was first approved in America by the Food and Drug Administration in November 1995, although, the first laser procedure was performed in Germany back in 1987. To date, there have been over 4 million laser vision procedures performed throughout the world.

BENEFITS

The goal of laser vision surgery is to reduce or eliminate the dependence on glasses and contact lenses by improving uncorrected visual acuity. LASIK can allow patients to achieve their normal daily activities without having to use either glasses or contact lenses.

o Nearsighted patients may experience the same level of vision after surgery as they did before surgery without the aid of corrective lenses. The goal again is to eliminate or reduce your reliance on contact lenses and/or eyeglasses.

o Refractive surgery may improve a patient's visual function without the aid of corrective lenses.

o Eyes which are intolerant to contact lenses and/or eyeglasses can be corrected without corrective wear.

Who Benefits Most?

o People with low, moderate and high degrees of nearsightedness

o People with low and moderate degrees of farsightedness

o People with low, moderate and high degrees of astigmatism


Specific Advantages of LASIK

o Effective for correcting a wide range of focusing problems

o Fast visual recovery

o Minimal temporary side effects

o Permanent tissue modification for lasting correction