Laser Surgery

At Island Eyes we also do evaluations for refractive laser surgery or laser vision consultations. What is refractive laser surgery? What is laser vision correction (LVC)? This is a procedure that uses a laser to correct shortsightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. During the treatment, the laser’s cool beam of ultra violet light removes a small amount of tissue, usually less than the thickness of a human hair Short pulses of this cool beam of laser light change the curvature of the cornea allowing images to be more sharply focused. There are some restrictions to who is suitable for this treatment however: you must be at least eighteen years of age with healthy eyes and stable vision. Over one million LVC procedures have been preformed worldwide in the last ten years. Data obtained during exhaustive clinical trials showed that all patients experienced a significant improvement in uncorrected vision. (Vision without glasses or contact lenses) after laser vision correction. The most popular procedure currently used is Laser in Situ Keratomileusis (Lasik) ,combines the precision of the excimer laser with additional benefits of an instrument called an automated microkeratome. The microkeratome glides across the surface of the cornea allowing the a thin layer (a corneal flap to be lifted up. Then by using ultra violet light and high-energy pulses from the laser the cornea is reshaped .
The cornea bonds naturally and heals rapidly ,therefore no stitches are necessary. The entire procedure takes less than 30 minutes.

Another option to correct vision without spectacles or contact lenses are devices called INTACS. Intacs other wise known as intra-corneal rings ,are inserted in the periphery of the cornea,( the clear membrane that covers the front of the eye. This leads to a reshaping or flattening of the cornea which reduces shortsightedness (myopia). There is no removal of tissue from the central optic zone .These are considered permanent implants ,but they can be removed if necessary .The procedure takes about 30 minutes under local anasthesia. Clinical trials to treat long-sightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism are proceeding.

The first procedure developed for refractive laser surgery or laser vision correction was Photorefractive Keratectomy(PRK) it was developed by Professor John Marshall of Moorfields in England during the late eighties. The excimer laser is applied directly to the surface of the cornea, flattening and reshaping the cornea .This procedure is still used primarily for long-sightedness and astigmatism.

Another technique used is clear lens extraction. This technique is a good option for patients in their mid forties or older. The procedure is similar to cataract surgery. The eye’s natural crystalline lens is removed and a new lens with the correct refracting power to correct your vision is implanted .You should experience good distance vision ,but will still need to wear reading glasses. Another benefit is that because the eye’s lens has been removed one does not have to worry about getting cataracts as you age.

Research is continually going on to develop new techniques, in the next few years the Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) may become a reality. This is a contact lens that is surgically implanted inside the eye, where it never has to be cleaned.