To understand LASIK, it will help to understand your eyes and the reason your eyes need corrective lenses to see well.

How your eyes work
Our eye is like a camera, focusing the light that enters the eye to form a clear image on the retina. Most visual problems are caused by the way the cornea of the eye refracts (or bends) the light. If the cornea is misshapen in any way, that clear image cannot be formed correctly.

Myopia (nearsightedness)
Myopia is when people see near objects more clearly, but distant objects are blurry. Due to the steepness of the cornea, this occurs when light rays entering the eye are focused in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

Hyperopia (farsightedness)
Hyperopia is when people see far away objects more clearly, but close objects are blurry. Due to a flatter cornea, this occurs when light rays entering the eye are focused behind the retina instead of directly on it.

Astigmatism
Astigmatism is the result of having a corneal surface that is not regular in shape. People with astigmatism actually have a cornea that is shaped more like a football than a basketball. The result of having a cylinder shape to the cornea is two focal points instead of one.

Oral medication is administered soon after you arrive to relax you for the procedure. Therefore, a family member or friend will need to be present to drive you home due to the sedation. They are invited to view your LASIK procedure.

At varying intervals, a series of eye drops will be administered. Among these are antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, and anesthetic drops to numb your eyes. Following drop instillation, there is only a short wait before entering the laser suite.

Upon entering the laser suite, the technicians will assist you into a reclined position. Your surgeon will then insert a lid holder between the upper and lower lid to prevent blinking. A suction ring will then be placed on your cornea. As suction increases, you will feel pressure on your eye and your vision will “grey out� for approximately fifteen seconds.

The surgeon will create a thin corneal flap by using an instrument called a microkeratome. This thin layer of corneal tissue is then folded back so that the laser can be positioned. You will not see the microkeratome as it makes its pass nor will you feel any pain.

Once the laser is positioned properly, you will be asked to focus on a red flashing light. The excimer laser will begin to reshape (ablate) the cornea when the surgeon is comfortable with your fixation on the flashing light. As the laser works, you will hear a clicking noise. Your surgeon will let you know when the reshaping is about to begin so that this does not startle you.

Throughout the entire procedure, your doctor will be constantly updating you. The reshaping generally lasts between 10-60 seconds, depending on the amount of correction desired. As the laser reshapes the cornea, the technician will give you a countdown as to the number of seconds remaining in the ablation.

When the corneal reshaping is compete, the corneal flap will be lifted back into place. The lid holder will be removed and the procedure will be complete. The above steps will be repeated if you are having both eyes done on the same day.

Most patients see a significant improvement in their vision at the one day check. However various factors such as the ablation time and the amount of swelling can affect the initial crispness of your vision. Do not be alarmed if your vision is not as crisp at one day as a friend or family member who had the procedure.

Initially, vision may fluctuate from day to day and throughout the day itself. Periodic blurriness may also occur. This fluctuation and blurriness will generally subside within the first few weeks.

Dry eye symptoms are not uncommon in the weeks following LASIK. A lubrication drop is required the first week, but may need to be used frequently for 2-3 months.

Night glare may be experienced initially. This generally subsides within the first few weeks. It is rare for patients to experience glare after 3 months.

A cataract is the clouding of the lens in the eye. Normally, light passes through the clear lens and is focused onto the retina. However, as a result of the natural aging process, the lens gradually becomes cloudy and this blocks the passage of light through the eye causing distorted or blurred vision.

How are Cataracts treated?
The most effective way to restore vision is to remove the cloudy cataract and replace it with a plastic lens implant (Intraocular lens or IOL). With recent advances in cataract surgery equipment and techniques, vision can be restored more safely and faster, allowing patients to resume normal activities within hours after surgery (some activities may be limited during healing). Using these state of the art techniques, cataract surgery has a success rate greater than 98%.

In years past, cataract surgery was performed under general anesthesia requiring patients to stay in the hospital.

Later advances used a local anesthesia (retrobulbar or peribulbar blocks) where a needle stick is made, penetrating to just behind the eyeball where the anesthetic is injected. Although this procedure allows patients to return home the same day and is safer than using general anesthesia, it is not entirely free of risk.

Today, with recent advances in cataract surgery anesthesia, topical anesthetics are used. A patient may be given a sedative to help them relax and to keep them comfortable during the procedure. Next, the eye is anesthetized with eye drops instead of a needle injection.

There are at least five advantages to this method compared to what was used in the past:

How is Ultrasound technology used to treat Cataracts?

Ultrasound technology (phacoemulsification or "phaco") is often used to remove a cataract. With "phaco", a probe is inserted through a small 1/8" opening (instead of a relatively wide incision) created with a specific self sealing technique. The new technique places the incision into the cornea (clear part of the eye that covers the iris or colored portion of the eye) just next to the sclera (white part of the eye).

After having Cataract Surgery, what can I expect?

Many patients are pleased to find that after topical, clear corneal cataract surgery their vision improvement begins almost immediately and they return home within a few hours after the procedure. Patients may find their vision better than ever; some will need to wear glasses for reading and other activities following the procedure. During the initial healing period there may be a few limitations on strenuous activities. Most people find they are able to return to a normal lifestyle immediately and begin doing things that poor cataract vision had restricted them from doing in the past.

Does Triad use these new techniques on all their cataract patients?

No. In most cases the topical anesthesia, no-stitch, no-patch technique is preferred, however some patients, because of their eye structure, health or other factors, may not be good candidates for the new technique. In these cases, patients can have traditional surgery and expect to do well. A complete eye examination and consultation with the doctor is necessary to determine each individuals specific needs and potential for improved vision.

Can cataracts be prevented?

Loss of sight from the cataracts is usually preventable. With modern technology, cataracts can be removed and good vision restored when a person feels the loss of vision is great enough to interfere with daily activities. If you are experiencing the symptoms of cataracts or other visual problems, please don't assume anything. Come in and let's find out for certain.