During laser vision correction, a laser precisely alters the contour of the front surface of the eye (the cornea), to treat problems such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism.
A patient with short-sightedness can clear see objects up close, but not at a distance.A patient with long sightedness has the opposite problem; objects both up close and the distance will appear blurred. Astigmatism is an imperfection in the curvature of the eye, which causes vision to be blurred at all distances.In each case, the goal is to reduce a patient’s dependence on glasses.The treatment is most commonly performed for short-sightedness.
To correct short-sightedness, the laser removes a very fine slither from the front corneal surface, causing the surface to become flatter.
Treatment of long-sightedness the laser removes a ring of the peripheral front surface, causing the central cornea to become steeper.
There are two types of laser vision correction: LASIK and PRK. Most patient elect to have LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis), where the procedure is performed under a flap.
PRK Laser Vision Correction
LASIK is not for everyone. For example, patients with a thin cornea or patients at risk of eye trauma due to occupational hazards may not be suitable for LASIK. Dr Ben Connell is pleased to offer these patients another type of laser vision correction: PRK. In PRK surgery, the thin outer layer of the cornea (called the “epithelium”) is removed with an excimer laser and the underlying corneal tissue reshaped. The epithelium grows back over the corneal surface within a few days after surgery.
Patient satisfaction with PRK is extremely high, although recovery time is a few days longer.
Contact Dr Ben Connell today for consultation to see which type of laser vision correction is right for you.
