Refractive Surgery at Virginia Beach Eye Center
Corneal Surgery
An excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea to attempt to obtain a more optimal configuration for improved vision. LASIK and PRK are two procedures that help to correct nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism.- Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) - PRK is the original “surface” laser application of the excimer laser to reshape the front of the cornea to correct one’s vision. The laser is applied directly to the outer surface of the cornea; no flap is created as in LASIK. This procedure is used less often than LASIK, but it is still used on a regular basis with excellent results. Some patients because of individual variations of the eye anatomy will do better with PRK, and certain occupations, such as military pilots, will not allow LASIK. Therefore, PRK is used instead.
- Laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) — LASIK’s real advantage over PRK is the immediacy of the result and minimal discomfort. With LASIK, a thin corneal flap is lifted with a microkeratome (think of opening a 550-page book to page 180). The excimer laser reshapes the inside surface of the cornea, and the flap is smoothed back in place (closing the book).
- Custom Treatment — With the advancement of wavefront technology, more accurate measurements of the eye may be obtained to design a more specific, customized treatment for the patient (for LASIK and PRK). The VISX Wavescan assists the surgeon in planning a treatment that more specifically targets imperfections within the cornea, resulting in better quality of vision than standard PRK or standard LASIK.
Iris-Fixated Lens
This option is recommended for people under 40 years old with moderate to high myopia (nearsightedness) and who are not candidates for LASIK or PRK. The Verisyse ™ Phakic Intraocular Lens is implanted within the iris plane to help focus light more optimally on the retina, allowing for clearer vision. This micro lens is intended to be permanent, but it may be removed when needed.Refractive Lens Exchange
This option is recommended for people 40 years and above who are not candidates for LASIK or PRK or who choose not to have these procedures performed. As the crystalline lens becomes cloudy and hard with age, one loses the ability to focus at near targets without the use of magnification (bifocals or reading glasses); this change in the lens is called a cataract. As long as the cataract is mild and does not impair visual ability or hinder one’s daily activities, the cataract does not need to be removed. However, this lens may be replaced with a clear, fixed-power lens at an early stage as a means to correct vision without glasses or contacts. The procedure performed is the same as cataract surgery, where the natural crystalline lens is gently removed by suction and an artificial lens is implanted.- Monofocal Intraocular Lens — This is the traditional lens used in cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange. It is a fixed-power lens that allows the patient to see at only one particular distance, far or near. For example, if one chooses to see well at a distance with both eyes, a lens allowing the patient to see far targets would be implanted in the eyes. Reading glasses would have to be used for near objects. To reduce the need for reading glasses, one could choose a Monovision setting for the lens powers—one eye sees well at a distance, and the other eye sees well at near. (See monovision sheet for more information).
- Crystalens™ — This is the latest in intraocular lens implants, which reduces the need for reading glasses for near and intermediate vision. Although it is a fixed-power lens, it has the ability to flex, “accommodate,” with the muscles within the eye to focus at varying distances, allowing one to see better at near, intermediate, and far distances.
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