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What is Excimer Laser Vision Correction? |
You're nearsighted and/or astigmatic. You're tired of scratched or missing glasses. You've had enough of contact lenses and messy cleaning solutions. Excimer laser vision correction is the safe, affordable and easy way to natural vision. No wonder it's the choice of over one million people in 40 countries.
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This procedure, technically referred to as Photorefractive
Keratectomy (PRK), corrects refractive problems using
a laser to reshape the cornea. The product of over 12 years
of research and testing, PRK is a safe, non-invasive treatment
for the correction of mild to moderate (from -1.0 to -9.5 diopters)
myopia (nearsightedness) and/or astigmatism. For correction
of high myopia and hyperopia (farsightedness), please visit
our web pages on Refractive IOL.
Since 1989, more than one million people in 40 countries have
had their vision successfully corrected with the Excimer Laser.
In fact, a study in 1996 of PRK results from eye centers around
the world found that over 95% of patients with average myopia
(-1.0 to -7.5 diopters) achieved 20/30 vision or better (20/40
is all that is required for a driver's license).
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What is an Excimer Laser? |
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"To date, approximately 1 million PRKs have been performed successfully throughout the world - without one known case of blindness."
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The Excimer is a laser that mixes the gases Argon and Fluoride to form an „excited¾ compound, which in turn produces a cold ultraviolet beam of light. At one wavelength of light (193 nanometers), it is possible to use the Excimer laser to remove tiny molecules of tissue without damaging underlying surfaces. Two ophthalmologists, Drs. Stephen Trokel and Francis L'Esperance, determined in 1983 that the Excimer laser could be used to reshape the cornea, and the first human eye was successfully treated three years later in Berlin, Germany.
The Excimer Laser Procedure
Dr. Fitterman makes a delicate and tiny surgical modification of the eye using a powerful, computer-controlled, cold beam of laser light. The beam of light is so precise that it can vaporize tiny increments of tissue less than .25 micron (1 micron = 1/1000th mm). The doctor directs the beam so that the Excimer laser vaporizes the tissue on the central front portion of the cornea to make it less steep. This flattening changes the curvature of the cornea, allowing the eye to focus light rays properly on the retina for crisp, clear vision.
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Your Refractive Problem |
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Excellent vision depends on your refraction, or the way light is focused by your eye. Refraction considers three elements:
- The curvature of your cornea
- The power of your lens
- The length of your eye
When these elements are correctly proportioned or arranged, light focuses on the retina properly, and you have 'perfect' vision.
However, when all these elements are not in correct proportion (as is the case for a large percentage of the population), then you have a 'refractive' problem. There are two types of these problems that can be corrected with the Excimer Laser:
- Myopia (nearsightedness), when your eye has too much focusing power, blurring objects at a distance. Light rays fall in front of the retina because the eye is longer than normal.
- Astigmatism (asymmetrical cornea), when your cornea lacks a uniform surface, distorting light rays and preventing them from focusing clearly. The cornea is elongated like a football rather than the normal round of a basketball.
Excimer Laser vision correction reshapes your cornea in order for it to focus properly. It will most likely improve your vision enough so that you do not have to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses for distance vision.
Dr. Fitterman can help you develop a full understanding of your condition so that you can make an informed decision about whether to proceed with this procedure. Ultimately, though, the decision to have Eximer Laser vision correction is yours. Only you know what the impact of wearing glasses and/or contact lenses has had on the quality of your life and only you know the value of no longer depending on either.
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Are You a Candidate? |
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I don't
like football, but I agreed to go to one game on the
condition I could read a magazine. However, I became
the (reluctant) play-by-play commentator as I was the
only one who could read the numbers on the players'
jerseys from our nosebleed seats. For once I wasn't
the one squinting to see."
- Andrea Issak, Richmond, B.C.
"Dr. Fitterman and his staff combine good, old-fashioned
service and care with current knowledge and state-of-the
art equipment."
- PRK Patient, Kevin Krause
"I
have been a patient of Dr Fitterman's for quite a few
years, as I have Keratoconus in my left eye. I had inquired
about the PRK surgery to correct my astigmatism and
whether I would be a possible candidate, with having
Keratoconus. Dr Fitterman assured me I would have a
good visual outcme in my right eye after the surgery
but could not say for sure about my left eye with the
Keratoconus. Well, I went ahead with the surgery about
a year ago, and have been exceptionally pleased with
the results. My right eye is perfect and although the
vision in my left eye is not as good, (which Dr Fitterman
had told me), it is definitely an improvement from how
I could see when I wore glasses. Overall, I am very
pleased with the outcome of my surgery. Dr Fitterman
and Sandy were always so nice to me and I think they
did a great job. I would highly recommend them to anyone
thinking of having the surgery.
Gail
Cusator, Vancouver, BC
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Our first step toward good vision with unaided eyes is to schedule a free, no-obligation eye examination with Dr. Fitterman. In general, the following factors determine whether or not Excimer laser vision correction will work for you:
- You are at least 20 years old
- Your vision problem is mild to moderate myopia (from -1.0
to -9.5 diopters) and/or astigmatism
- Your refraction has been stable for two years
- You have no ocular abnormalities, i.e. Diabetes or Keratoconus.
If all or most of the following statements are true for you, then you probably will be happy with the results of this procedure:
1. If Excimer laser vision correction can free me from the hassles of contact lenses or glasses, and improves my quality of life, it is worth the investment.
2. I would like natural, normal vision 24 hours a day without glasses or contacts.
3. My dependence on glasses and/or contacts feels like a handicap.
4. I worry that if a crisis arises when I am not wearing my lenses, I will not be able to help myself or others.
5. I don't tolerate contact lenses very well.
6. I am an avid sports person and freeing myself from corrective lenses will improve my performance.
7. My career opportunities will improve if I do not have to rely on eyeglasses or contact lenses for distance vision.
8. I like the way I look better without glasses.
Dr. Fitterman can help you develop a full understanding of your refractive problem so that you can make an informed decision about proceeding with this procedure. Ultimately, though, the decision to have Excimer laser vision correction is yours. Only you know what the impact of wearing glasses and/or contact lenses has had on the quality of your life.
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Possible Risks & Other Considerations |
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Delayed Epithelial Healing
The epithelium (the protective outer layer of the cornea) is removed just before laser treatment begins. While it normally heals within 3-5 days, sometimes it heals at a slower rate, which could result in discomfort. In such cases, you will be given special medications to promote its healing.
Initial Over Or Under-Correction
Occasionally, there are problems with the amount of correction that results. For some patients, under-correction is planned to compensate for presbyopia. For others, over-correction is planned because the cornea tends to regress to its original shape as its heals. Small amounts of over or under-correction do not seriously affect vision. In some, but not all, cases, significant under-corrections can be retreated. In approximately 3% - 4% of cases, enhancement surgery is required typically for those patients who are severely myopic or astigmatic. At your request, or per our recommendation, we will enhance your correction level within one year of the original date of surgery at no further charge.
Halo Effect
Some PRK patients experience a halo effect, particularly in dim light. This can interfere with night driving. Fortunately, surgeons are now using larger treatment zones, so this effect occurs less frequently.
Microscopic Corneal Surface Irregularities
If the laser beam and corneal moisture are not completely uniform, PRK can cause microscopic corneal surface irregularities that result in a slight loss of best-corrected vision (this is very uncommon).
Raised Eye Pressure
Temporary elevation of intraocular pressure may occur in patients who use steroid eye drops following surgery. Typically, the intraocular pressure returns to normal, with no long-term ill effects once the use of antibiotic drops has been discontinued. Since you cannot feel an increase in pressure, routine checks by Dr. Fitterman or your designated eye doctor as part of follow-up care are imperative.
Regression
In some patients the effects of the procedure diminish several months after the treatment. Such regression is more common in higher myopic patients. In some cases, significant regression can be treated.
Long-Term Side Effects
The results of more than 500,000 successful treatments worldwide and rigorously documented research so far indicate with reasonable certainty no foreseeable problems once healing is complete.
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