Call for an appointment: Parker, CO 303-794-1111 Denver, CO 303-794-1111

     

 Abdulfatah M. Ali, M.D.
Abdulfatah M. Ali, M.D. 		  C. Starck Johnson, M.D.
C. Starck Johnson, M.D.

Refractive surgery is a term used for several surgical procedures designed to correct refractive errors that occur in vision, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism (irregular shaped cornea).

As part of the Insight LASIK team of surgeons, we are proud to offer multiple convenient locations and the latest LASIK and refractive surgery procedures and technology to our patients. 

Have you been told you are NOT a candidate for LASIK? 

Visian ICL is a revolutionary new procedure that has opened up the world of refractive surgery to individuals who were previously not candidates for surgical eye correction.  The Visian ICL is an implantable lens that has proven to be effective in patients within a wide range of refractive errors. In fact, the Visian ICL can correct myopia from as low as -3.0 diopters to -16.0 diopters and reduce myopia from -16.0 diopters up to as high as -20.0 diopters with or without astigmatism. Clinical studies have shown how the Visian ICL is truly a breakthrough myopia treatment in terms of vision correction results.

The Visian ICL procedure is a short 15 minute outpatient procedure similar to that of cataract surgery. The main difference is that, unlike cataract surgery, the Visian ICL procedure does not require the removal of the eye's crystalline lens.  And unlike the LASIK or PRK refractive procedures, the Visian ICL procedure does not involve the removal of sensitive eye tissue. 

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VISIAN ICL

LASIK

LASIK (laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis) is the most commonly performed and well known refractive surgery.  Using an excimer laser, the doctor re-shapes the cornea (the stationary refractive element at the front of the eye) so that images are focused to the correct spot on the retina (the light receptor of the eye).  The success rate with this procedure is excellent, with most patients achieving 20/20 vision or better upon completion.

The LASIK procedure itself involves little or no discomfort (or pain) both during the procedure and through the recovery process.  Also, eyesight improvement is almost immediate, and maximum vision is typically achieved within a few days.

 CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO ON REFRACTIVE SURGERY

Reasons to consider LASIK:

  • Nearsightedness (myopia).
  • Farsightedness (hyperopia).
  • Astigmatism (irregularly shaped cornea).
  • Desire to decrease or eliminate dependence on glasses or contacts.

The Procedure - IntraLASIK

A revolutionary, computer controlled technology, IntraLASIK (with the Intralase laser), or all laser LASIK, allows our doctors to safely and precisely make corneal flaps during a patient's laser vision correction surgery. In traditional LASIK eye surgery, a microkeratome -- a blade housed inside a mechanical instrument -- is used to create a flap in the cornea (the outer layer of the eye). With the flap created, it is lifted and the excimer laser can remove and reshape the underlying corneal tissue. Once the tissue has been reshaped, the flap is laid back in place and allowed to heal on its own. Traditional LASIK eye surgery has had great results and relatively few complications. However, many of the complications that do occur can be linked to the creation of the flap using the microkeratome.

With the new IntraLase® laser and IntraLASIK software, problems associated with the microkeratome and metal blades can be avoided. IntraLASIK uses a rapidly fired, very short pulse (femptosecond) laser. This revolutionary laser passes through the eye's cornea, reaching the surgeon's pre-programmed target without damaging any of the surrounding eye tissue. With its amazing accuracy available to clients of Specialty Eye Care, IntraLASIK may enable our patients who were previously considered high-risk to be reconsidered for vision correction surgery. If you have any questions about refractive surgery or questions about IntraLASIK contact our practice today .

IntraLASIK with the Intralase laser is considered by many to be a safer, more precise approach to vision correction surgery. This level of precision reduces patient anxiety and significantly reduces or eliminates the possibility for complications commonly seen with the traditional LASIK vision correction approach. Based on each patient's vision needs, the surgeon customizes all IntraLASIK procedures. Remarkably accurate and safe, all laser LASIK is changing the way doctors and patients think about vision correction surgery. The precision of the Intralase allows us to program the depth of the corneal flap with much greater accuracy than can be done with a mechanical blade. This precision allows us to perform LASIK on patients who would otherwise not be candidates for LASIK. The ability to make a very thin flap has led to the development of the variant of LASIK called SBK, or sub-Bowman’s Keratomileusis. This procedure makes a very thin flap, just under the layer of the cornea known as Bowman’s layer, thereby preserving as much of the corneal tissue as possible after the LASIK procedure is finished. Also, because the Intralase laser can be programmed to make a flap of any desired size, orientation and depth, the flap is routinely customized to optimize your results. The laser also allows us to design the edge of the flap to have an optimized configuration to reattach to the bed of the cornea, allowing for a safer flap configuration.

The Recovery

The patient may go home shortly after the procedure; however, someone else must drive or alternate transportation must be arranged.  Patients will be asked to get lots of rest, avoid any strenuous activities, and avoid rubbing the eye area for a period of time.  There are follow up appointments with the doctor 24 to 48 hours after the procedure and periodically over the following weeks and months.  Vision should dramatically improve in the first few days following surgery.  The patient often may return to work in a day or two, though it is best to take a few days off to ensure a smooth recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question:  Can I go blind?

We have experienced zero cases of blindness due to the LASIK Procedure.

Question:  Is there any pain?

The surgery is painless. Pressure sensation and occasional stinging may occur during surgery and some mild burning or stinging may occur for 2-3 hours after surgery. We rarely prescribe pain medications.

Question:  How much does LASIK cost?

Costs vary depending on what type of refractive surgery you and the physician decide is the best for you. All procedure prices include: the pre-operative exam, surgeon fees, facility fees, post-operative care & any enhancements for up to one year.

Question:  How long does the surgery take?

You should plan on being at the surgery center for approximately 1 1/2 hours. The actual scheduled surgical procedure takes about 20-30 minutes to do both eyes. You will need to make arrangements for someone to drive you home after your surgery.

Question:  Will I ever need corrective lens again?

Patients usually do not need corrective lenses for distance vision, however, some patients may still require a low prescription for fine tuning, or perhaps night driving. Patients over the age 40 years may expect to use reading glasses due to the natural development of presbyopia (loss of near accommodation).

Question:  How long should I plan on being off work?

If the procedure is done on a Friday afternoon, you should be ready to return to work by the following Monday.

Question:  Are there any restrictions to activity?

No swimming or hot tubs for 3 weeks, and no rigorous physical exertion for 1 week. You will need to wear a protective shield over the eye, at night for 1 week. You should avoid eye makeup for 1 week.

Question:  Is there any danger of the laser causing other eye problems?

The wavelength of the laser is very short, therefore producing an extremely precise focus. The laser does not penetrate to the lens or retina. Consequently, no damage is caused to the other ocular tissue.

Question:  How long before my vision is good after LASIK?

Usually vision is quite good on the first postoperative day, but vision after LASIK typically improves over the first week. More time is usually necessary after hyperopia (farsighted) treatments. Remember that LASIK is surgery, and vision stabilization may take some time.

Question:  Is financing available?

Yes. Financing is available through CareCredit. Please call our office for further information regarding financing.

Question:  If I wear contact lenses do I need to do something special before LASIK?

Yes. If you wear soft contact lenses, please remove your lenses 3 weeks prior to surgery. If you wear hard/gas permeable contact lenses, a minimum of 6 weeks and possibly longer is required for the stabilization and resume of the eyes normal and natural curvatures.
 

Contact us today at 303-794-1111 to schedule a consultation!

Specialty Eye Care Ophthalmologists, Abdulfatah M. Ali, M.D., E. Randy Craven, M.D., C. Starck Johnson M.D. and John Samples, M.D. - Locations in Denver and South Suburban area of Colorado. LASIK Definition, Procedure, IntraLASIK, Recovery and Frequently Asked Questions information.