Waterloo Lasik Iowa

LASIK and PRK

The cornea and lens combine to focus visual images on the back of the eye. When the overall shape of the eye is incorrect or when the curvature of the cornea is incorrect, the visual images are not in focus. The cornea accounts for approximately 2/3rds of the focusing power of the eye. By surgically changing the corneal curvature, most or the entire blur can be eliminated.

Laser In Situ Keratomileusis, also known as LASIK, and Photo-Refractive Keratectomy, or PRK are two surgical techniques, which utilize lasers to reshape or change the curvature of the cornea.

LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK had its origins about thirty years ago and was originally developed to treat patients who had very poor vision due to corneal disease. It has now evolved into a successful refractive surgery technique for refractive errors. The current procedure, done on an outpatient basis, involves both the use of conventional and laser surgery to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. LASIK can correct a much higher degree of nearsightedness with or without astigmatism than any other refractive surgery procedure, with excellent results (98% of LASIK eye surgery patients achieve 20/20 vision or better).

In performing LASIK, eye drop anesthetic is used to numb the eye. The LASIK surgeon then uses a special instrument to cut into and behind a layer of the cornea. A portion of the cornea is peeled back to create a flap and expose the inner portions of corneal tissue. The eye is then positioned under the excimer laser which has been computer programmed to remove microscopic amounts of the internal corneal tissue. Removal of the tissue changes the curvature of the cornea. If the laser eye surgery patient is nearsighted, tissue closer to the central part of the cornea is removed to decrease the curvature or flatten the cornea. If the refractive surgery patient is farsighted, tissue in the peripheral part of the cornea is removed to increase the curvature of the cornea. To correct for astigmatism, selected tissue at certain angles is removed to insure that the cornea curves equally in all directions. After the laser has been used, the flap is returned to its original position. The corneal tissue has extraordinary natural bonding qualities that allow effective healing without the use of stitches.

Since only local anesthetic is used, refractive surgery patients remain awake during the procedure. The entire procedure takes only a few minutes. Improved vision is often possible on the day following the laser eye surgery. Eye drops and night protection are necessary for designated periods of time.

Potential LASIK candidates should feel free to contact the Mauer Eye Center for a consultation. Let our experienced LASIK surgeon help you restore your vision!

Advantages of LASIK Eye Surgery Include:

• LASIK has a faster healing time compared to other vision correction procedures.
• LASIK eye surgery has rapid visual recovery
• There is a less risk of scarring during LASIK eye surgery
• Less risk of corneal haze
• Less post-op discomfort
• The second eye can be done the same day
• LASIK provides treatment of a wider range of nearsightedness

What are the Benefits of LASIK Eye Surgery?

Because of its high success rate and minimal patient recovery time, LASIK is recognized as one of the most effective corrective eye procedures available. The overwhelming majority of patients enjoy significantly improved vision, and most patients return to their normal daily activities within one day of their laser eye surgery. According to the Eye Surgery Education Council (ESEC), the eyesight of more than 90 percent of those patients is improved to 20/40-the minimum vision standard for driving an automobile or playing sports without corrective eyewear. Fifty-six percent of patients report post-surgery 20/20 vision. Although LASIK will not prevent age-related eye conditions or diseases, its results are considered permanent. LASIK results in less scarring, less corneal haze, and less surface area in need of healing than similar surgical methods, and most patients report only minimal-if any-post-operative discomfort. The refractive surgery procedure itself-which is performed under local anesthetic with FDA-approved tools-is painless.

LASIK eye surgery is suitable for a wide variety of candidates, including those with astigmatisms. Additionally, because many clinics offer payment plans or special incentive rates, LASIK eye surgery is affordable to even those patients whose insurance plans do not cover it.

For further information,please contact Mauer Eye Center today! Our staff is the best of the best in the refractive surgery field. See your world clearly again with laser eye surgery.

LASIK Eye Surgery Risks

First, it is important to note that LASIK eye surgery does not guarantee that every patient's vision will be improved to 20/20; instead, it is intended to reduce each patient's dependency on corrective eyewear. It is not realistic for candidates to assume that their vision will be "perfect" after laser eye surgery. In fact, many patients who wear reading glasses before their refractive surgery find that they still need them after undergoing the procedure.

Next, potential candidates must be aware that as with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved with LASIK. Complications may include excessively dry eyes, corneal scarring, corneal edema, persistent eye pain or discomfort, glares and halos in the line of vision, and a decreased ability to see well at night or in fog. Finally, since LASIK has only been performed since 1987, its long-term effects are still not known. All potential recipients are encouraged to discuss with their ophthalmologists the risks and procedures of LASIK before committing to laser eye surgery.

To learn more about the risks associated with LASIK eye surgery, or if you have any questions regarding other refractive surgery procedures, please contact Mauer Eye Center.

PRK Laser Eye Surgery

Photo-Refractive Keratectomy, PRK is another method of surgically reshaping the cornea using the excimer laser. The difference between LASIK and PRK is that for PRK, the corneal flap is not created. That is, the outer layer of the cornea remains in place and the laser removes tissue directly from this outer layer. During LASIK eye surgery, a part of the cornea is peeled back so that the laser removes tissue from the inner corneal layers. PRK is used for low to moderate amounts of nearsightedness.

Just as in LASIK, the laser treatment requires less than a minute. But unlike LASIK, the healing period time is longer. The correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism is the same as in LASIK eye surgery. The corneal curvature is changed so that the visual images are properly focused on the back of the eye.

Let our laser eye surgeon at Mauer Eye help you in deciding which refractive surgery procedure is right for you, LASIK or PRK.