REFRACTIVE SURGERY
Refractive surgery can reduce dependence on contact lenses, driving, and reading glasses.
It is estimated that more that 1.5 million Americans will have refractive surgery to correct refractive error, a condition in which light does not focus perfectly onto the retina. For refractive errors, laser eye surgery offers a safe and permanent correction for near-sightedness (myopia), and astigmatism.
Longview Eye Associates provides complete preoperative evaluations and will set the patient up with an ophthalmologist who specializes in refractive surgery. Longview Eye Associates will also provide complete postoperative care following surgery.
Refractive surgery is an eye care specialty that reduces refractive error — eliminating or greatly reducing the dependency on glasses or contact lenses.
•
LASIK (Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis)
• VISX Custom Vue
The term "laser vision correction" is commonly used because it is more easily understood. However, in reality, "laser vision correction" refers to LASIK, PRK, and LTK.
|
LASIK (Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis) surgery is the most widely performed of all refractive surgery procedures, and for many patients it is the procedure of choice. Performed since 1991, the surgery involves two steps. In the first step, the surgeon makes a corneal flap, followed by sculpting the curvature of the exposed cornea with a laser beam. The corneal flap is then repositioned and reattached without stitches. LASIK can effectively correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. It is performed on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia. |
VISX
CustomVue Advantage
The Fingerprint of Your Vision
Your vision is unique - as personal as your fingerprint or your DNA. WaveScan technology provides your eye doctor with a map of your eye.
WaveScan Technology
Initially you will meet with your eye doctor for a complete medical evaluation and eye history to determine whether you are a good candidate for the CustomVue procedure. Your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of the procedure with you. A WaveScan measurement will be taken to map the unique characteristics of your eye. With this map, your doctor will be able to:
- Accurately assess whether you're a good candidate for laser vision correction. Anyone who is considering laser vision correction should obtain a WaveScan measurement as the first step.
- Along with the other diagnostic tests that your doctor performs, an individualized treatment plan can then be developed to address your unique vision needs.
Once it is confirmed that you are a good candidate, your doctor will schedule you for a CustomVue procedure. Your doctor will provide details to you on how to prepare for the day of the procedure.
PreVue Lens
If your doctor feels it is beneficial, he or she may choose to provide you with a PreVue Lens during the consultation. The PreVue Lens enables you to view an approximation of your potential corrected vision prior to treatment; however, it is not meant to be predictive of your actual result. Your doctor will place a plastic lens under the laser. Using the information from the WaveScan, your unique correction will be placed on the lens. The lens is then fitted in a trial frame for viewing.
The CustomVue Procedure
On procedure day, you will be seated in a reclined position. Anesthetic drops will be placed in your eyes and a flap will be created on your cornea. Your individualized treatment information is transferred from the WaveScan to the laser in order to drive the CustomVue procedure. The actual laser procedure typically takes several seconds. Most individuals feel no pain during the procedure.
After CustomVue, you will notice results immediately, and your vision will continue to improve over the next few days. Typically, you will be scheduled for a follow-up visit the next day, again in about a week, and again around a month after the initial procedure.