Top Procedures for Vision Correction

There are several new treatment options that can assist with your vision. In many cases these procedures can reduce the need for glasses/contact lenses.

Over the past two decades several new procedures have been developed that are making changes in the lives of many who suffer with vision issues.

For those who are suffering with Astigmatism, Farsightedness, Nearsightedness, Dry Eye, or even Keratoconus there is hope for your vision. Minimally-invasive procedures like LASIK, PRK and ICL can help your vision drastically,

Below you will see some procedures that can assist you in finding visual freedom:

LASIK – The most well-known vision correction procedure. LASIK uses a laser to carefully shave away cornea tissue to create a smooth surface, and therefore correct the vision.

PRK – The procedure involves gently moving the surface skin of the cornea and applying a laser to reshape the outer cornea. PRK was the first type of laser eye surgery for vision correction. PRK preceded development of LASIK.

ICL – ICL is a small implanted lens that can reduce or eliminate your need for contacts or glasses. The goal of ICL is to reduce overall prescription. A patient can consider the ICL procedure if they have a high prescription, and may have conditions such as thin corneas which make them not candidates for other procedures.

For more information on vision correction, click the link below to watch a special episode of The Doctors.

True Testimonials: Exploring PRK

Exploring PRK for Vision Correction

For many of us the burden of glasses or contact lenses has been one we could do without for years. But there hasn’t always been a procedure that could relieve us from the burden of wearing glasses or contact lenses. One of the first vision correction procedures developed was PRK, or Photo Refractive Keratectomy.

What is PRK?
PRK uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea and provides the patient with improved vision. Those who are not good candidates for LASIK, like with thin corneas or large pupils can make good candidates for PRK.

While PRK takes a little longer for recovery it works roughly the same as LASIK. This procedure has little side effects and can show results the minute you get off the table.

What is the PRK Procedure Like?
PRK helps to treat Myopia (Nearsightedness), Hyperopia (Farsightedness), and Astigmatism. It is a vision correction treatment that uses a special laser to reshape the cornea of the eye. For patients who are not a good fit for LASIK, PRK gives them an alternative. However PRK was available before the LASIK procedure.
The procedure generally takes around 15 minutes per eye and allows the patient to see clearer almost immediately.

Meeting Jessica:

Jessica works for Boxer Wachler Vision Institute as the front office administrative assistant.

Jessica is a fun-loving, free spirit that got weighed down by the burden of glasses at age 10 and then with the hassles of contacts at 12.

After having to deal with imperfect vision for half her life and seeing on a daily basis how vision correction has worked for so many she decided to try it for herself.

Jessica was told that she was not a good candidate for LASIK because of her thin corneas but that PRK would still be able to help her. Jessica received her PRK at the very office she worked, at the Boxer Wachler Vision Institute. She stated “Knowing I was in really good hands was all I needed to remain calm and relaxed”.

Jessica now has 20/20 vision and wouldn’t change getting the surgery for the world. She no longer relies on glasses or contacts to experience the world around her. All she experienced during the healing process was a slight fluctuation in her sight for about three weeks and some light sensitivity.

PRK Pros & Cons:

Pros
• Good for patients with thin corneas
• Good for patients with large pupils
• Little to no pain or discomfort
• First vision correction procedure with lasers
• Procedure takes only about 15 minutes per eye
Cons:
• A little longer recovery time (2 days to 2 weeks)
• Risks of Infection or haziness over the eyes
You can watch Jessica’s journey here:

Baseball Season is Back: How’s Your Vision?

When it comes to baseball vision is an important part of the players health. Being able to see the ball properly is a major part in hitting and catching the ball. Hand eye coordination when it comes to training can make a player great or push them to the bench. So how do we ensure that our eyes are taken care of all year around?

First ensuring that you get an exam each year will help your doctor establish how your vision is doing. If there are any changes they will notice and early detection of several conditions can be detected by a yearly exam.

Additionally there are other ways to improve the eyes including the Visian ICL. What is the Visian ICL?

Visian ICL:

The Visian ICL is the High Definition of the visual age. Do to new technology the Visian ICL can improve the clarity of your vision. The Visian ICL acts like an antenna tuning in the picture or image shown to the eye and interpreted by the brain. The procedure is less painful and has a short recovery time.

The Visian ICL is a tiny lens that is inserted behind your natural lens to add improved clarity to your current vision. It is made with a special material that is Bio-compatible and requires no maintenance. It doesn’t break down over time, and it can be removed if needed.

Below are some more benefits of the Visian ICL

  • Comfortable 7-10 minute procedure
  • Quick Recovery
  • Lasting treatment option
  • Low risk
  • Clear and sharp vision – HD vision
  • Improvement in distance and depth perception

If you are a baseball player and need to recover quickly or are worried about the affect it will have on your overall game play this is an excellent procedure for improving your quality of vision. It will allow you to see much more clearly and reduces maintenance for your eyes. With improvement to your depth perception your next home run will come sooner than you think.

Listen to Sports Reporter Alan Abrahamson
Visian ICL with Dr. Brian in 2007

Is LASIK the Right Choice for You?

Even though the LASIK procedure has been around a few decades surely some of you are still wondering how this procedure can help my vision. Although we  often settle for what we get with our glasses and contact lenses a new view into what is LASIK may change your mind. There are probably many questions you want to ask in regards to LASIK hopefully this will help you with a few.

What is LASIK?

LASIK also known as In-situ Keratomileusis is a vision correction procedure that uses a laser to reshape your cornea and decrease your need for contacts/glasses. LASIK can help correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. These conditions often cause the patient to need glasses or contact lenses, which requires a lot of maintenance. The everyday maintenance and reduction in lack of overall vision can cause some to look for other options. LASIK can give the patient a view of the world less dependent on the use of contacts or glasses.

How do I Know if I am a Good Candidate?

Often people ask the question “Who can get LASIK Surgery?” The truth is there are tests that need to be done to determine if you are a candidate. There are some people to which this procedure is not an option. Determining if you are a candidate would require a few tests.  These tests include:

  • Cornea Mapping, knows as Corneal Topographical: this procedure will help determine if there are any irregularities that would exclude you from being a candidate
  • Pupil size: this test is important to ensure that your pupil size is not too large. Large pupils can cause reduced night vision and visual halos/glare making driving difficult at night.
  • Cornea Thickness, knows as Pachymetry: ensuring your cornea has sufficient thickness for LASIK is important. Individuals whose corneas are thin can develop a vision threatening condition if they undergo LASIK. 
  • Prescription know as manifest refraction: determines the strength of your prescription and if this can be programmed into the laser.  If you prescription is too high, you will not get the desired results since the laser can only correct to a certain point. 

These tests will give a better overview of your eyes.

Those with conditions caused by a thinning of the cornea, too high of a prescription and or large pupil size will be told and the eye care professionals will explain other options.

What will the Procedure be Like?

This procedure is performed usually in a procedure room at your doctor’s office. The procedure takes about 7-10 minutes per eye. The doctor will use drops to numb your eyes. Currently many are using wavefront guided procedures to be sure that you are getting the best quality vision. Wavefront guided procedures can help correct other imperfections that caused declined quality of vision. Talk to your eye care professional about more on this common procedure.

Remember LASIK vision correction surgery is there to improve your overall vision. It is important you know all the facts before agreeing to this type of procedure. If you have questions be sure to ask your eye care professional.

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