LASIK Vision Correction
Wake up to a world in focus! Imagine being able to work, drive, read the alarm clock every morning, play water sports – to do just about everything – without always having to reach for your glasses or contact lenses. A revolutionary procedure called LASIK could make this a reality for you!
Center For Sight has three surgeons who perform laser vision correction. Our doctors were the first in Pensacola to perform LASIK and use the most advanced excimer laser system available: LADARVision.
Free consultations are available to see if you are a candidate, and seminars are offered for you to learn more about this latest state-of-the-art technology that treats nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
Contact the LASIK coordinator at 850.478.2020 or fill out our contact form. You may also review our LASIK Simulations, as they will provide an interactive overview and help answer many of your questions.
About LASIK
Click here to learn how new “wavefront” technology can accurately diagnose and measure visual quality problems.
LASIK, or Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis, is a refractive surgical procedure where a microkeratome is used to create a thin flap on the front of the cornea. Laser treatment is applied to resculpt the internal corneal tissue. The flap is then laid back in place without the need for sutures, thereby causing the cornea to steepen upon healing.
For over 25 years, doctors placed incisions in the cornea to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. In the early 1980s, they began looking at lasers to improve the precision and predictability of altering the shape of the cornea. Researchers found that the Excimer laser could remove tissue with up to 0.25 microns of accuracy. Now in its second decade of use, the technologically advanced Excimer laser has added a tremendous amount of precision, control and safety to the surgical correction of vision errors. Using this remarkable technology, the cornea is reshaped to conform to your glasses or contact lens prescriptions, thereby reducing or even eliminating a lifetime of dependence on corrective lenses for hundreds of thousands of Americans every year.
The Nearsighted Eye (Myopia)
The excimer laser is approved for treatment of mild to high myopia, also known as nearsightedness. Nearsightedness is common, affecting one in four people in North America. Nearsightedness occurs when light rays entering the eye are focused in front of the retina instead of directly on it. The tendency to develop nearsightedness runs in families. Nearsightedness usually starts in childhood and typically stabilizes in the late teens or early adulthood. It can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery (eye surgery that corrects vision). The first two options, eyeglasses and contact lenses, can be adjusted if your vision changes over time. To treat Nearsightedness (Myopia), the cornea must be made flatter. This is accomplished by removing tissue from the center of the cornea.
The Farsighted Eye (Hyperopia)
Farsightedness occurs when light rays entering the eye are focused behind your retina instead of directly on it. The tendency to develop farsightedness runs in families. Farsightedness usually starts in childhood and typically stabilizes in the late teens or early adulthood. To treat Farsightedness (Hyperopia) , the central cornea must be made steeper. This is accomplished by directing the laser beam to remove tissue.
The Astigmatic Eye
Nearsightedness frequently occurs with astigmatism. In the astigmatic eye, the front of the cornea is not equally curved; it is slightly oval in shape, like a football. Light rays entering the eye bend unequally, resulting in a distorted image. Astigmatism can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. To treat Astigmatism , the cornea must be made more spherical. By changing the pattern of the cold light beam, tissue is removed in one direction more than the other.
LADARVision
Center For Sight uses the LADARVision excimer laser, the most advanced excimer laser system available. LADARVision alleviates the worries associated with eye movement during surgery because it adjusts and realigns itself between each laser pulse, tracking the position of the eye 4,000 times per second, guiding the placement of the laser beam with pinpoint accuracy. Guided by the system’s active eye tracker, the LADARTracker , this new excimer laser system has a cool, small spot laser beam (less than 1 millimeter wide), which reshapes the cornea, removing less corneal tissue than the width of a single human hair. This offers precision previously unavailable to laser vision patients. LADARVision also reduces the likelihood of nighttime glare and halos often experienced following treatment with other laser systems.
In addition to providing superior clinical results, LADARVision is approved to treat more visual acuity problems than any other excimer laser. LADARVision is approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of myopia (nearsightedness) with or without astigmatism and hyperopia (farsightedness) with or without astigmatism, and it is the only laser with an FDA approval for mixed astigmatism.
Advantages of LASIK
The key advantages of LASIK over the other forms of older methods of laser vision correction for Nearsightedness, Farsightedness and Astigmatism are:
- It is performed under a protective layer of corneal tissue
- Less surface area to heal, less risk of scarring and corneal haze
- Less postoperative discomfort and less postoperative need for medications
- Vision returns more rapidly (within a day or so)
If you’re a candidate for LASIK, the result can be a dramatic improvement in your vision, lifestyle and overall outlook on life!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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How does the laser work?
The laser uses a cold light beam to sculpt the cornea’s surface to a more rounded shape, which will bring vision into a sharper focus. This method of sculpting is termed ablation and it is performed one molecular layer at a time. - How long will it take for me to recover from refractive surgery?
This depends on whether you have PRK or LASIK. With PRK, your vision will be improved after surgery. However, you will need to wear a bandage contact lens for 1 to 3 days, which may affect your vision slightly. With the LASIK procedure, you will likely experience more of an improvement immediately, as you do not need to wear the bandage contact lens. - How long will it the correction last?
Laser vision correction is a permanent procedure. However, there is approximately a 20% chance that you will need an enhancement procedure to take care of any nearsightedness or astigmatism that may be left. This is normal. You should also know that laser vision correction does not eliminate the need for reading glasses. This is a natural occurrence caused by the aging process of you eye. - What is the success rate?
Depending on your prescription, your Eye M.D. can determine the likelihood of reaching 20/40 or better vision. To date, 95% reach 20/40 or better vision with refractive surgery procedures. 20/40 is good enough to get your driver’s license without a prescription in most states. You must understand that refractive surgery restores natural vision, not perfect vision. Even people who do not wear glasses experience vision fluctuation during the day due to fatigue, blood sugar level, and water content of the eyes. - Is the procedure covered by insurance?
Most insurance companies do not cover refractive surgery because they consider it cosmetic in nature. However, there are a few that do, and we will be happy to check with your carrier on your behalf. - Can you go blind?
As with any surgery, there is a chance of infection. Left untreated, this could possibly lead to complications. We have excellent antibiotics for this purpose and take all the necessary precautions for a sterile environment. In the hands of one of our skilled surgeons practicing advanced refractive surgery techniques, the likelihood of blindness is extremely rare. - Does it hurt?
Before the procedure, your eye will be numbed with a topical anesthetic. During the procedure, you may feel slight pressure. The procedure lasts about 10 to 90 seconds. Following the procedure, you may have a ‘foreign body’ sensation (your eyes may feel scratchy). - What about the integrity of my eye? I love to play racquetball and water sports.
Your lifestyle and activities will not be restricted by refractive surgery. In fact, your ability to play sports should improve dramatically because of refractive surgery. Playing sports, like racquetball, should be postponed for several weeks, or until the eye is completely healed. This will be determined upon a post-op evaluation by one of Center For Sight’s eye care professionals. - I’ve heard it takes six months to improve my vision?
Fluctuation can occur, but visual improvement is almost immediate following surgery. - After surgery, will I still need reading glasses?
Reading glasses come about naturally in everyone, because the body ages. As we age, the eye’s focusing system is no longer strong enough for us to compensate at close distances. - Why can’t laser vision correction correct having to wear reading glasses?
Laser vision correction corrects refractive error in the cornea, but unfortunately it cannot keep you from aging. Reading glasses become necessary when there is a loss in elasticity in the lens of the eye. This begins around the age of 40-45. -
What if I move my eye during the procedure? What if I blink?
During the LASIK procedure, a speculum is used to hold your eyelid open, preventing you from blinking. You will be lying back in a comfortable chair, staring up into a fixation light. If you do begin to move or look around, our Eye MD will immediately stop the procedure and then begin again when you are settled. It is important to know that our Eye M.D.’s are in control of the laser at all times. - I hate to have anything in my eye. What if I’m too nervous once I’m in the surgery room?
If necessary, a mild sedative (i.e.Valium) will be available, prior to surgery to keep you relaxed. If you are unable to take a Valium, the nurse will provide something different. - Could my vision be worse?
There is a possibility that you could lose 1 to 2 lines of best - corrected vision, meaning you might not see 20/20 even with corrective lenses. This is extremely rare, less than 3%. Before LASIK, you’ll be asked to sign a consent form - and all of the risks will be discussed with you. - How can I set up my free consultation and screening?
That’s an easy one. Contact the Laser Vision Coordinator at (850) 478-2020.
Are you a LASIK candidate?
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is over 21 years of age and has healthy corneas. Candidates must not have had a significant increase in their prescription in the last 12 months. People with certain medical conditions or women who are pregnant may not be good candidates for LASIK.
Realistic Goals & Expectations
The decision to have LASIK is an important one that, ultimately, only you can make. It is important that you have realistic expectations and that your decision is based on facts, not hopes or misconceptions. The goal of LASIK is to reduce your dependence on corrective lenses. LASIK does not always create 20/20 or even 20/40 vision. It cannot correct a condition known as presbyopia, or aging of the eye. This normally occurs around age 40 and may require reading glasses. In fact, people over 40 whom have their distance vision improved with LASIK , may find they need reading glasses after the procedure. Our LASIK surgeons are happy to provide you with additional information that will allow you to make an informed decision.
Find out for yourself!
Discover if you are an ideal candidate for LASIK. Call our office at 850.478.2020 and schedule your free screening and consultation, fill out our contact form. Should your vision fall within the range of correction for LASIK, more comprehensive tests may be necessary.
NearVision CK
NearVision CK (Conductive Keratoplasty) is a state-of-the-art procedure that utilizes radio waves to treat low-to-moderate farsightedness and presbyopia. A probe, thinner than a single strand of hair, is used to deliver radio waves to the outer cornea, shrinking the collagen and increasing the curvature. NearVision CK is a minimally invasive procedure with little risk and no side effects. Some patients experience some discomfort a day or two after the surgery and/or a slight over-correction of vision which should stabilize in a few weeks.
Like other refractive procedures, NearVision CK is designed to reduce dependence on corrective lenses; however, results are not guaranteed. You will be given a test to see if you are a good candidate for the procedure, and we will answer any questions you might have so that you can make an informed decision about whether to proceed.
