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LASIK & Refractive Surgery Co-Management

Happy Woman Listening to Headphones No Glasses after LASIK

LASIK

Stillwater Vision Clinic is the place of choice for your Laser Vision Correction options. Options which include all the necessary information, consultation, and evaluations for this very important life decision. We are also well versed in other refractive surgery options such as PRK (surface laser correction), accommodative intraocular lenses, and implantable contact lenses.

​Knowing your eyes and being able to take the extra time to answer all of your questions, Stillwater Vision Clinic can guide you through the process of Laser Vision Correction from your pre-operative care all the way through your post-operative care. Solid relationships with refractive surgery center and eye surgery co-management expertise make Stillwater Vision Clinic the logical Laser Vision Correction choice.

Together with NJoy Vision we are committed to providing you with comfort and excellent care. In the LASIK and Custom LASIK procedures, a flap of corneal tissue is created and then folded back. The cornea is the transparent dome-like structure that covers the iris and pupil of your eye. By creating a flap in the cornea, the surgeon is able to perform the laser vision correction treatment on the inner layer of the cornea and allows for a rapid visual recovery.

How Does Laser Vision Correction Work?

LASIK (Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is an advanced procedure using the Excimer Laser in combination with ALK (Automated Lamellar Keratoplasty). Many eye surgeons have found many advantages in performing LASIK, and worldwide it is the procedure of choice.First, a thin layer of the cornea tissue called the “flap” is made. Once this thin layer of tissue (the “flap”) has been fashioned, the Excimer Laser then reshapes the internal cornea for the desired optical effect for clear vision.

LASIK advantages include:

Little or no corneal hazeRapid stability of visionLittle or no pain post-operativelyElimination of prolonged healing time with less dropsAbility to treat higher ranges of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism

Custom LASIK

While conventional LASIK has been a complete revolution in vision correction, nJoy Vision also offers the latest in laser vision correction technology: Custom LASIK. Custom LASIK is a procedure that enables your surgeon to further customize the conventional LASIK procedure to your individual eyes. This customized procedure may result in patients seeing clearer and sharper than ever before. FDA (Fedral Drug Administration) studies show that Custom LASIK may produce better vision than is possible with contact lenses or glasses.

In clinical studies, Custom LASIK has been able to provide patients with:

  • A greater chance of having 20/20 vision
  • The potential for better vision than is possible with contacts or glasses
  • Less incidence of glare and halos
  • Potentially better overall vision, even at night.

Other Procedures

NJoy now offers multiple procedures for many different problems. Ask us about the innovative new surgeries for Keratoconus,Visian ICL, and KAMRA.

In general, to be a candidate for laser vision correction you should:

Be at least 18 years of age or olderHave stable vision for a year prior to the procedureBe free of certain diseases of the cornea and retinaBe in good general healthAside from these general requirements, we recommend that before you proceed with laser vision correction, you take advantage of our free LASIK consultation.

The primary objective of the consultation is to determine whether you are a candidate for laser vision correction.. Equally as important, we educate you about whether or not laser vision correction is right for you, and the benefits and risks associated with this type of surgery.

What is LASIK?

LASIK – Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis – is the most common refractive eye surgery today. As of 2011, over 11 million LASIK procedures have been performed in the United States and as of 2009 over 28 million have been performed worldwide.

LASIK, often referred to as laser eye surgery or laser vision correction, is a type of refractive surgery for the correction of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. LASIK surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist who uses a laser to reshape the eye’s cornea in order to improve visual acuity. For most patients, LASIK provides a permanent alternative to eyeglasses or contact lenses.

LASIK is most similar to another surgical corrective procedure, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and both represent advances over radial keratotomy in the surgical treatment of refractive errors of vision. For patients with moderate to high myopia or thin corneas which cannot be treated with LASIK and PRK, the phakic intraocular lens is an alternative.

LASIK is the premier surgery for vision correction. It is quick, almost painless and there is little or no discomfort after the procedure. Vision recovery is rapid – patients report seeing 20/20 within 24 hours.

LASIK corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness and even astigmatism. With a technique called mono-vision, it can reduce the need for reading glasses among patients over age 40 who wear bifocals.

Who Are The Optimal LASIK Candidates?

The best candidate for LASIK is age 21+, has healthy eyes with adequate corneal thickness. This is necessary because LASIK procedure removes tissue from the cornea to reshape the eye.

Chronic dry eye, corneal disease or other abnormalities may disqualify a candidate from LASIK surgery. A comprehensive eye exam is required to be sure. For your convenience, we are happy to provide LASIK pre-operative exams and consultations at our practice.

Note that LASIK is an elective procedure and proper consideration must include the weight of personal needs, potential gain and willingness to accept the risks involved. There are no guarantees that LASIK will absolutely succeed to your expectations. The results are not always perfect vision. In some cases, your vision after LASIK may be permanently less clear than it was with glasses before LASIK. This outcome must be factored before deciding on LASIK surgery.

Certainly there is upside. In normal circumstances and conditions LASIK can reduce your dependence on glasses and almost always gives you the ability to function well without the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Specifics of The LASIK Procedure

LASIK is an ambulatory, two-step procedure. You walk into the surgery center, have the procedure and walk out about an hour later. The surgery event is about 15 minutes for both eyes, but allowances should accommodate for about at the surgery location, perhaps even a bit more.

First, the surgeon creates a thin, hinged flap of tissue on your cornea with an instrument called a laser. This flap is folded back so the laser reshaping of your eye can begin. After laser treatment, which lasts a minute or less, the flap is repositioned and the surgeon proceeds to your other eye.

What Is Wavefront LASIK?

Wavefront LASIK -wavefront-assisted, wavefront-guided or custom LASIK- uses laser treatment (ablation) mapped by computerized analysis. Wavefront-guided procedures are much more precise than ablations determined by using standard eyeglasses prescriptions. They can correct subtle optical imperfections of the eye called “higher-order aberrations” that regular ablations cannot treat. Studies prove wavefront-guided ablations provide sharper vision than conventional, non-wavefront LASIK and can improve night-vision, eliminating or reducing the risk of halos or glare.

After The Surgery

Following the LASIK procedure, you will use medicated eye drops and clear protective shields to cover your eyes. You can open your eyes and see well enough to walk without glasses, but you must not drive yourself home.

You will use medicated eye drops several times a day for a week or more to prevent infection and help the healing. You may also use artificial tears to keep your eyes moist and comfortable.

You should rest your eyes as much as possible the day of your surgery. You may find it more comfortable leaving the house lights on low dim.

The next day, you should see well enough to drive and resume your normal activities. Use care though not to rub your eyes until it is safe to do so. If you are currently using Latisse, discuss with your eye doctor how long after surgery to wait before re-starting the regimen.

You may be asked to return to visit your doctor the following day for an eye exam. They will want to check your vision and be sure your eyes appear to be healing as they should. You will be given any additional instructions necessary about eye drops and/or artificial tears, and you can ask the doctor any questions you may have.

Postoperative care may be performed by an eye doctor other than your LASIK surgeon. This is referred to as co-management. We are happy to provide post-operative care for you at our practice through a co-management agreement with your surgeon. Ask us for further details.

If My Vision Is Blurry After LASIK…

Though most patients see clearly within a day or so after LASIK, it can take several months before your eyes completely stabilize. Until then, improvements in your vision can still occur in fits and jumps. If several months pass and your vision is still blurred, be sure to communicate and visit with your LASIK surgeon. It may be appropriate to have a second LASIK surgery -an enhancement- to sharpen your eyesight further.

If an enhancement is not required, eyeglasses or contact lenses may be used to help. We will be happy to examine your eyes and discuss the options available to you.

After LASIK Eyewear

Even if your vision seems perfect after LASIK, you may still require or be more comfortable with eyewear.

When outdoors, it’s optimal and sometimes urgent to protect your eyes from the sun’s strong and sometimes harmful rays. Use sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection. For sports-sunglasses, the lenses need to have poly-carbonate for extra strength and protection. Anytime you work with power tools or do any activity where eye injury is possible, be sure to use safety glasses with poly-carbonate lenses.

If you’re over 40 (or close), it’s likely you’ll need reading glasses after LASIK. Many LASIK patients benefit from prescription eyeglasses for night driving. Even a mild prescription will make your vision sharper for added safety and comfort at night.

After LASIK Eye Care

Remember to continue to schedule routine eye exams post-LASIK. Even with perfect vision you still need to have your eyes examined for glaucoma and other potential problems on a regular basis. Routine exams will help insure that your vision remains stable after LASIK.