Refractive Surgery
Panama City Ophthalmologist
There are many types of refractive surgeries available today to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (irregular cornea shape). The most versatile and most common is LASIK which uses an Excimer laser to reshape the cornea to bring the world into better focus. However, for low myopia, there are INTACS, which are small plastic corneal ring inserts, and an older procedure called RK. For low hyperopia there is also laser thermal keratoplasty (LTK) and radio frequency keratoplasty (RFK). Clear lens extraction is available for very high myopia and high hyperopia.
Each type of refractive surgery has its own benefits as well as risks. Only a complete eye exam and discussion of your individual visual needs can determine which of these surgeries is best for you. At Advanced Eye Care the initial refractive screening exam is free, giving you the opportunity to learn more about refractive surgery and to ask questions so you can make the best choice. Call us at 850-784-3936 or 800-590-5500 to schedule a free refractive screening.
LASIK
Laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) can correct myopia (nearsightedness) from low to high levels with or without astigmatism, and low to moderate levels of hyperopia (farsightedness). This versatility, along with quick healing, rapid visual recovery, and minimal discomfort, has made LASIK the most popular of the refractive surgeries.
The LASIK procedure takes 6 to 8 minutes per eye, and begins with eyedrops to numb the eye. Then the eyelids are cleaned, a small adhesive drape covers your lashes, and a lid holder gently opens your eyelids. As you fixate on a blinking light, the microkeratome is placed on your anesthetized eye. This microkeratome creates a small flap of cornea under which the laser will be applied. During flap creation, your vision will be dimmed for about 20 to 30 seconds. As the flap is lifted aside, you again fixate on the blinking light, and the Excimer laser emits an invisible "cool" ultraviolet beam, which exactly reshapes your cornea to correct your vision. This takes from 10 seconds to just over 1 minute, depending on your refractive correction. The flap is seated again into position, and after just 2 to 3 minutes is well-sealed in place. No sutures are required. The second eye is done immediately after the first eye. By using the "flap" technique, your visual recovery is very rapid, and any discomfort is usually limited to a scratchy sensation for less than 24 hours.
Results vary with how much correction you need, but overall, patients achieve 20/20 or better vision in 60% to 80% of the cases and achieve 20/40 or better vision in 96% to 99% of the cases. Complications of severe glare, halos, night vision trouble, or loss of best corrected acuity are uncommon, each occurring in less than 1% of LASIK procedures.
At Advanced Eye Care, LASIK is performed on Saturday, your first followup visit is Sunday, and you are back to work and virtually to full activities on Monday. Other postoperative visits are at 1 to 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after your LASIK. This entire year of postoperative care is included at no additional charge after your surgery.
Some people (5% to 10%) will desire an "enhancement" of the original LASIK to further sharpen their vision. We usually wait 3 to 4 months to be sure everything is stable. After that time period, we can "lift" the original flap without needing to create another flap. The Excimer laser is again applied to the corneal bed to touch-up any residual correction needed.
To find out if you are a candidate for this exciting laser vision correction requires a complete exam at Advanced Eye Care. Remember this refractive screening is FREE!
In the USA, nearly 50% of the population require glasses or contacts for myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Nearly all of them are candidates for LASIK. Almost one million LASIK procedures are now being performed in the USA per year. In just 15 to 20 minutes you can permanently and dramatically improve your eyesight. Call 850-784-3936 or 800-590-5500.
CLEAR LENS EXTRACTION
Very high myopia (over 12 to 14 diopters) and high hyperopia (over 5 to 6 diopters) can best be treated by removing the natural lens inside your eye and replacing it with a lens implant of the appropriate power to correct your vision. This operation is technically the same as that performed for cataract removal, but in this case the natural lens is not a cloudy cataract yet. There are even "bifocal" lens implants, which can be used with this procedure. Because this surgery is performed inside the eye rather than just reshaping the cornea on the surface of the eye, there are different potential risks associated, including rare retinal detachment and infection.
REFRACTIVE SURGERY OVERVIEW
As you have read above, there are many choices in correcting your need for glasses/contact lenses. Most importantly, you must be informed, ask questions, and work with a surgeon with whom you feel comfortable. The surgeon should do all the followup care himself, especially during the critical first few months. He must be available to answer your questions and concerns.
At Advanced Eye Care, Dr. Hasty does all of the preoperative and postoperative care himself. He and his highly trained staff are always accessible. For the most modern, state-of-the-art refractive surgery, call 850-784-3936 or 800-590-5500 for a FREE refractive screening.