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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a candidate for Vision Correction?
In general, to be a candidate for Vision Correction, you should:
1. be at least 18 years of age
2. have stable vision
3. be free of certain diseases of the eye
4. be in good general health
In addition to the above factors, candidates may experience some level of difficulty wearing glasses and/or contact lenses, or their lifestyle or career may require good vision without the use of glasses or contact lenses.
What is nearsightedness and astigmatism?
In a normal eye, the front portion of eye (cornea) and the lens of the eye focus light to form an image on the back surface of the eye, known as the retina.
Nearsightedness (myopia) occurs when the eye is too long in relation to the curvature of the cornea. With myopia, light rays entering the eye do not come to a sharp focus precisely on the retina. Instead, they focus further in front of the retina, producing a blurred image. The term "nearsighted" means that you can see near objects more clearly than objects further in the distance.
Astigmatism occurs when your cornea is shaped more like a football than a basketball. Because of the oval shape of the cornea, light is focused at more than one place inside the eye. Vision correction can reduce or eliminate both myopia and astigmatism.
What is farsightedness?
Farsightedness, or hyperopia, occurs when the eye is too short in relation to the curvature of your cornea. Light rays entering the eye focus behind the retina, producing a blurred image.
What are the options for Vision Correction?
There are several options for Vision Correction. The procedure that is best for you will be decided by you and your doctor. The most commonly performed procedures are described below:
1. iLASIK, Laser Vision Correction: Laser Assisted in-Situ Keratomileusis (or LASIK for short) is a procedure designed to reduce or eliminate nearsightedness or farsightedness with or without astigmatism. Nearsightedness, also called myopia, occurs when the shape of the eye is elongated so that light is focused in front of the retina (the seeing part of the back of the eye). Farsightedness, also called hyperopia, occurs when the shape of the eye is shortened so that light is focused behind the retina. LASIK corrects nearsightedness by flattening the cornea (the clear window in the front of the eye). It corrects farsightedness by steepening the cornea. In the first step of the procedure, a thin protective flap of tissue is partially lifted off the cornea with a laser (iLASIK). This remarkable femtosecond technology has made LASIK safer, more precise, and rendered blade-microkeratome LASIK obsolete for nearly all patients. In the second step, a small amount of the cornea under the flap is reshaped with the VISX S4 excimer laser. The protective flap is then placed back in its original position and remains in place without stitches. Custom-iLASIK is available to correct each individual's own imperfections in vision, in our technique called "high definition" iLASIK. LASIK was developed over 15 years ago and has now gained widespread acceptance. Over 4 million people worldwide have been successfully treated. LASIK is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
To Learn More about iLASIK . . .
or for another great resource, go to GetiLASIK.com.
2. Refractive Lensectomy (RL): Refractive Lensectomy with Intraocular Lens Implantation (or RL/IOL for short) is a surgical procedure designed to reduce or eliminate nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Nearsightedness, also called myopia, occurs when the shape of the eye is elongated so that light is focused in front of the retina (the seeing part of the back of the eye). Farsightedness, also called hyperopia, occurs when the length of the eye is shortened so that light is focused behind the retina. Astigmatism means that the cornea (the front clear window of the eye) has the shape of a football. Presbyopia is the loss of the ability to read fine print at close range after the age of 40. RL/IOL corrects the above refractive errors by removing the lens in your eye and replacing it with an intraocular lens implant of a different focusing power from your lens to allow light rays to fall onto the retina. The lens in your eye is responsible for the focusing of light rays in your eye much like a camera lens. The specific implant chosen for you (including the PRELEX multifocal implant) accommodative implant is determined on your needs and desires. RL/IOL is a variant of modern cataract surgery, which has been one of the major advancements in the restoration of sight in the last decade. RL/IOL has been performed extensively in the USA over the last 7 to 10 years with excellent results and has "FDA"-like approval in Europe.
To Learn More about Refractive Lensectomy . . .
3. Conductive Keratoplasty (CK): Conductive Keratoplasty (or CK for short) is a procedure designed to reduce or eliminate farsightedness and compensate for presbyopia. Farsightedness, also called hyperopia, occurs when the length of the eye is shortened so that light is focused behind the retina. Presbyopia is the loss of the ability to read fine print at close range sometime after the age of 40. CK corrects farsightedness and/or presbyopia by steepening the cornea. Two to three rings of eight treatment spots each are applied to the outer portions of the cornea simultaneously, gently heating the collagen within the cornea. The heated collagen shrinks and the cornea steepens. No cornea tissue is cut or removed and the treatment only takes a few minutes. CK is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
To Learn More about Conductive Keratoplasty . . .
These are just a few of the vision correction procedures that Valley Eye Associates has to offer. We encourage you to visit Valley Eye Associates for a free complementary consultation, or you may sign up for an eye examination/refractive evaluation. The examination/evaluation is necessary before knowing for sure if you are a good candidate for any of the vision correction procedures.
What kind of vision can I expect with Vision Correction Surgery?
The goal of vision correction surgery is to reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses or contact lenses in the safest and most precise manner possible. The large majority of our patients can drive legally, play sports, join the police or fire departments all without depending on glasses or contact lenses.
If after the initial procedure more correction is needed, an enhancement may be performed. Enhancements can aide to fine-tune a person's vision.
What are the risks associated with Vision Correction Surgery?
First, it is important to note that the chance of having a serious vision-threatening complication is much less than 1%.
As with any surgery, there is always a slight risk of postoperative infection, although this is minimized by the use of preoperative and postoperative antibiotics.
There is a possibility that the eye will be undercorrected or overcorrected. Undercorrection of your prescription (or mild residual nearsightedness) is more common than overcorrection, as your doctor will tend to be conservative in his approach. Slight undercorrection will not seriously affect your visual result, but more significant undercorrection may require an enhancement procedure.
Overcorrection may be able to be treated with another vision correction procedure.
Night glare and/or halos is common immediately following the procedure and, if present at all, usually decreases in several months. Your may require glasses for driving at night to reduce this symptom. This occurrence is rare with the use of the VISX S4 excimer laser.
This information is not meant to present all the complication possibilities associated with these procedures. Other, less typical, unanticipated events specific to each individual procedure will be discussed with you during your vision correction surgery evaluation with one of our doctors.
Will I have Perfect Vision?
While it is true that almost all patients who have Vision Correction Surgery will significantly reduce their dependence on glasses or contact lenses, some patients may eventually require reading glasses or a thin pair of glasses for activities such as night driving. We, nor anyone for that matter, can guarantee that you will have perfect vision.
How do I care for my eye after Vision Correction?
You should avoid rubbing or bumping your eyes after vision correction surgery. You may experience discomfort such as scratchiness, tearing, or a foreign body sensation in an eye. This is normal and may last for a few days. Pain relievers are occasionally needed and are prescribed if necessary. We recommend you avoid eye makeup, gardening, swimming and working in dusty, dirty environments for one week.
The limitations on activities may vary from person to person. However, generally speaking, you may immediately resume normal activities like bending, watching TV, taking a shower, or reading. Contact and racquet sports should be avoided for one week. We recommend that you wear protective eye wear anytime you participate in racquet sports, regardless of whether or not you have had vision correction surgery.
What follow-up care is necessary after Vision Correction?
Patients are generally seen 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and annually after surgery. More frequent visits may be necessary. Visits during the first year after surgery are included in the surgical fee. Patients referred by their optometrist will receive most of their postoperative care from this doctor. There is no additional fee for this service.
How much does Vision Correction cost?
The total cost is comprised of a surgeon's fee, a facility fee, and if applicable, a co-management fee paid directly to your optometrist. The surgeon's fee can be reduced by the co-management fee. The fee covers future enhancements, if necessary, and follow-up visits for the next year.
Can I afford Refractive Surgery?
Prior to Vision Correction, you can meet with a financial counselor who will answer your questions about the fees. For our patients' convenience, we do offer financing plans and accept personal checks, cash, MasterCard, Visa and Discover. With some financing plans, refractive surgery is affordable to nearly everyone with monthly payments as low as $28.
Also, some insurance companies may cover Vision Correction Surgery, so we do encourage you to check with your insurance provider before the treatment.
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