LASIKAbout the Procedure | The History of Laser Vision Correction | Custom Vue™ Individualized Laser Vision Correction Have you been thinking about having LASIK laser vision correction? Are you tired of clunky prescription glasses or the inconvenience and expense of contact lenses? If so, LASIK might be for you. LASIK or Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis treats refractive errors by reshaping the cornea. This procedure combines the accuracy of the excimer laser with the benefits of Lamellar Keratoplasty. Candidates for excimer laser vision correction have myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) or astigmatism, are at least 18 years of age, have a stable refraction, and are generally healthy with no other eye diseases. Patients must have realistic expectation. 96% of patients will be able to obtain a drivers license without glasses following their surgery. Unfortunately, LASIK surgery can not correct the aging process commonly known as presbyopia. Patients that are both nearsighted and farsighted do have options that will allow him/her to become less dependent on corrective lenses. This LASIK procedure is called monovision. Dr. Paul Munden uses the state of the art VISX Star S4 laser to perform the LASIK procedure. A microkeratome is used to fold back a thin piece of corneal tissue followed by using the excimer laser to precisely recontour the cornea. The thin flap of corneal tissue is folded back into its original position where it bonds after only a few minutes of drying.
Step 1 Using an instrument called a microkeratome, the surgeon creates a small protective flap of corneal tissue that is gently lifted back.
Step 2 The excimer laser applies a cool beam of light, which gently reshapes the cornea allowing images to be more sharply focused by the retina to correct the individual refractive error.
Step 3 Finally, the protective flap that was created in step one is gently placed back in its original position and begins healing immediately with little or no discomfort. No stitches or eye patches are required after the procedure. Healing is rapid and there is less need for post operative medications than PRK. LASIK treats low to very high levels of refractive errors. However, because of the microkeratome, LASIK carries additional surgery risks. If you have any questions regarding LASIK, please feel free to call our LASIK coordinator for more information or click here to email us. To find out if you are a candidate, call our office today for a free laser vision screening today! Call 806-352-3157 or toll free 1-800-543-8002 Flexible payment options are available. Major credit cards are accepted, as well as procedure financing through Amarillo National Bank. Financial assistance is also available through Vision Fee Plan and CareCredit.
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