The following are examples of non-laser vision correction surgeries available.

NearVision CK for near vision correction:

If you have had excellent vision all of your life, but now are experiencing near vision difficulty with increasing dependency on reading glasses, then NearVision CK might be the procedure for you.

NearVision CK uses a pen-shaped instrument with a cool tip as thin as a human hair. After application of anesthetic eye drops, your doctor will apply radiofrequency (RF) energy in a circular pattern. This pattern is applied in the periphery of the cornea and therefore minimizes interference with your line of sight. A device called a "speculum" is inserted to hold your eye open during the procedure.

NearVision CK is considered painless. Once surgery is completed, you do not have to wear a patch and can usually return to work the next day. During the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, you may experience some mild discomfort, including a foreign-object sensation or "scratchiness" in the eye. Near vision is immediately improved and stabilizes over a period of 4-6 weeks.

NearVision CK modifies the topographical (surface) curvature of the cornea, making it steeper in the center and improving near vision. In FDA clinical studies, 98% of patients were able to read newspaper-size print without reading glasses after the CK procedure (12-month follow-up data).

Phakic Intraocular Lenses (Phakic IOL):

If you have been told that you are not a candidate for LASIK, but would still like to reduce your dependency on glasses and contact lenses, you may be an excellent candidate for a Phakic IOL. Instead of performing surgery on your cornea, an intraocular contact lens is implanted inside the eye. At the present time, several Phakic IOLs are available which are implanted both in front of and just behind the iris of the eye.

One such lens is the VERISYSE Phakic IOL. It is effective in correcting nearsightedness that can be corrected with lenses between -5.00 and -20.00 diopters. If you have nearsightedness in this range, the VERISYSE Phakic IOL may improve your distance vision without glasses or contact lenses.

The VERISYSE Phakic IOL is a plastic intraocular lens that is inserted in front of your iris and is attached to the iris for stability during a surgical procedure. This type of lens is called a Phakic (referring to the natural crystalline lens inside the eye) IOL because the eye still has its natural lens in place. The IOL is made of the same type of plastic that has been used to make intraocular lenses for cataract surgery for more than 60 years.

Another type of Phakic IOL is the Implantable Contact Lens (ICL). The ICL is a soft, flexible lens surgically injected in a similar procedure to the replacement lens following cataract surgery. It rests in the space between the anterior capsule of the crystalline lens and the posterior surface of the iris. The ICL simply fits over the crystalline lens rather than the cornea.

At this time, only spherical phakic lenses are available, which means that any astigmatism will not be corrected. LASIK or PRK may be suggested as a second procedure if a small touch up is required for remaining astigmatism. The phakic IOL is reversible, adjustable and interchangeable if necessary.

Overall, phakic IOL’s offer many advantages over LASIK in high myopia and hyperopia with minimal complications.

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)

Refractive lensectomy is an exciting option for individuals over 40 who are considering refractive surgery to decrease dependence on glasses and contact lenses. In this procedure, the natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL) implant. The procedure is essentially the same as a cataract operation with the ability to correct near and farsightedness, reading vision and astigmatism. With the benefit of instrumentation to measure the length of the eye to within 100ths of a millimeter, and sophisticated IOL formulas, ophthalmologists have become very accurate at determining the proper IOL power to decrease dependence on eyewear.

RLE is a procedure that is more invasive than LASIK, PRK and Intacs, with greater potential risks. However, RLE may be an excellent alternative for people already wearing bifocals or for those who do not qualify for other refractive procedures due to extremes of refractive error. Unlike these other procedures RLE avoids any treatment of the cornea and instead changes the refractive power of the eye in the section of the natural lens inside the eye. RLE, thus, avoids any significant risk of reduction of contrast acuity.

Because RLE requires removal of the natural lens of the eye, the patient is subsequently unable to focus at near distances such as computer or reading ranges. This is why RLE is best suited for patients over 40 who are already wearing bifocals. One potential solution to this problem of accommodative loss is implantation of a bifocal IOL implant such as the ReSTOR IOL. This implant allows focusing at both near and far, allowing most patients to read small print and drive a car without glasses, following implantation of the lens in both eyes.

A second alternative for patients who are considering RLE, but who do not want to wear reading glasses following surgery, is monovision. With monovision, the traditional monofocal IOL implant is inserted in both eyes, but, the patient’s dominant eye is corrected for distance and the non-dominant eye is corrected for near images. This choice is also an excellent one, but not necessarily an option that would be tolerated by everyone.

ReSTOR –

The AcrySof ReSTOR Apodized Diffractive Intraocular Lens is the most recent innovation in lens implant technology. The ReSTOR lens is implanted in the eye as a lens replacement at the time of cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange. The best candidate is the individual who is 45 or older and who is dependent on glasses and/or contacts to see near, far and in-between.

The AcrySof ReSTOR IOL replaces the natural lens and is implanted into the eye in a procedure identical to cataract surgery. It has a patented apodized diffractive optic design that works like a bifocal lens inside the eye. For long-distance vision, the ReSTOR lens creates a clear image of the far away object while a second, highly defocused image is created for near vision that is typically not perceived. For near vision, the ReSTOR lens creates a clear, sharply focused near image and a second highly defocused far away image that is typically not perceived. This apodized diffractive optic design gives it the ability to provide clear vision near, far and in-between without mechanical movement of the lens.

The ReSTOR lens is similar to two lenses in one. This gives ReSTOR more consistent results and more satisfied patients who can enjoy activities like reading, sewing, playing cards or looking at the fine print, all without the hassle of reading glasses, bifocals, progressive lenses or contact lenses.
The AcrySof ReSTOR IOL is used in adult patients with and without presbyopia, who desire near, intermediate and distance vision with increased independence from glasses following cataract or refractive lens replacement surgery.

Anyone who has a normal eye exam and is dependent on reading glasses or bifocals may be a candidate. Although ReSTOR lenses are a breakthrough technology initially approved for cataract patients with or without presbyopia, it is not necessary to need cataract surgery to qualify for the ReSTOR lens. This lens is also available for people who desire lens replacement surgery to correct their vision but who do not have a cataract. In this case, the procedure (as with vision correction technique such as LASIK) is not covered by insurance.

Everyone’s focusing ability is different. Most people will be able to see clearly in the distance, have very good reading vision and functional intermediate vision without glasses, but some people may be more comfortable with additional correction, particularly at night in dim light or for long periods of computer work. After surgery with the ReSTOR lens, it may be necessary for some people to wear glasses for distance, intermediate and/or near vision to obtain optimal visual acuity. The difference from standard lenses is that most people will not be as dependent on these supplemental aids to function normally.

Surgery to treat cataracts is an outpatient procedure where an eye surgeon removes the clouded natural lens and replaces it with an artificial lens. Traditionally, the surgeon implants a monofocal artificial lens, commonly called an “intraocular lens” (IOL). If you have astigmatism, however, you may still experience blurred and distorted vision because a standard IOL cannot correct corneal astigmatism. To achieve quality distance vision with a standard IOL, you may still require eyeglasses, contact lenses, or further surgery.

If freedom from eyeglasses for distance vision is important to you, you now have a better option. The unique design of the AcrySof® Toric lens provides significantly improved distance or monovision and may reduce the need for corrective lenses.

What would it be like to say goodbye to both cataracts and astigmatism at the same time?  Imagine being able to see at a distance without relying on eyeglasses or contact lenses and finally being able to enjoy uncorrected quality distance vision.

You are reading this website with the only two eyes you will ever have. For that reason, vision correction decisions are among the most important you will ever make. Now, revolutionary new technology makes it possible for the surgeon to perform a single outpatient procedure in which the clouded cataract lens is exchanged for an artificial lens designed to correct astigmatism as well. You may be able to break free from eyeglasses or contact lenses for distance vision in just one step, without the need for additional surgical procedures.
 
What is Astigmatism?
Sometimes, the surface of the cornea is curved more like a football, with both flatter and steeper curves. When the surface of the cornea has an uneven curvature, vision becomes distorted. This common irregularity, called a “corneal astigmatism,” causes blurred or distorted vision because light rays are not focused at one spot to provide clear vision.

A person who has both a cataract and a corneal astigmatism will not regain high-quality distance vision after surgery to remove the cataract unless the astigmatism is also corrected.  The technology behind the AcrySof® IQ Toric IOL offers cataract patients with preexisting astigmatism vision correction that reduces or eliminates corneal astigmatism and delivers significantly improved distance or monovision without the need for glasses or contacts. You'll also be able to enjoy improved image quality thanks to the lens' new aspheric design.

INTACS for Keratoconus -

This procedure is particularly beneficial for individuals with keratoconus who have become contact lens intolerant or who might be considering a corneal transplant. Due to the onset and progression of keratoconus, the weakened cornea loses its natural dome-like shape.  As a result, the light rays entering the eye are no longer focused properly, impairing one's ability to see images clearly.
INTACS are specially designed inserts made of a plastic that has been used for 60 years as the replacement lenses for cataract surgery.  Due to their unique patented design of two semicircular segments of plastic, INTACS are able to remodel the architecture of the cornea, re-establishing a more natural dome-like shape. This allows comfortable contact lens wear and improved vision in 70-80% of patients. INTAC surgery is recommended for any keratoconus patient with contact lens intolerance and poor vision who is contemplating a corneal transplant.

What results can be expected from vision correction surgery?

Vision correction surgery has corrected or improved the vision of millions of people. Studies show that over 95% of patients who have had vision correction surgery are able to pass a standard driver's license eye exam (20/40 visual acuity or better) without corrective lenses. Although perfect vision with corrective lenses following surgery may be a likely result, not every patient will be able to achieve the ideal 20/20 vision. The goal of vision correction surgery is to provide functional vision. Because perfect vision is not always achievable, some patients may desire to wear corrective lenses after surgery for some activities.

Whom should I contact with more questions?

To schedule a free consultation or to request more information about Vision Correction Surgery, call 801-281-2020.