Omni Eye Center utilizes the advanced technology of the VISX Star S4 excimer laser to perform Laser in-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) and Photo-refractive Keratectomy (PRK). Both procedures are performed on an out-patient basis in our office. Our goal is to provide our patients with the best, and to make you as comfortable as possible during your visit to Omni Eye Center.

Understanding the Excimer Laser

Excimer laser technology has been used in over 50 countries for the last two decades. The excimer laser first treated normally sighted eyes in 1988 in North America. In 1995, the FDA approved the excimer laser for PRK to treat myopia (nearsightedness) in the United States. Today, the excimer laser provides accuracy, predictability, and the capability to correct myopia, hyperopia, and/or astigmatism.

The laser gently removes an exact amount of corneal tissue with controlled pulses of cool ultraviolet light, thereby reshaping the cornea to allow light rays to focus precisely on the retina. Each pulse removes 1/100,000 of an inch of tissue. It would take about 200 pulses to etch through one human hair.

How The Eye Works

The cornea at the front of the eye provides focusing power for incoming light, while the lens inside your eye provides the fine-tuning and reading abilities. The retina at the back of the eye acts like film and develops the images projected on it. For clear vision, an image needs to be precisely focused on the retina. People who are nearsighted or farsighted have corneas that focus light in front of or behind the retina - resulting in blurry vision. Glasses or contacts are used to correct this problem. In order to correct near or farsightedness, the laser changes the shape of the cornea to allow light to focus precisely on the retina without the use of contacts or glasses.

Correction

The pattern of the laser beam can be altered to correct:

• Nearsightedness (myopia) by flattening the cornea and redirecting light from the front of the eye to focus precisely on the retina.

• Farsightedness (hyperopia) by sculpting a programmed amount of corneal tissue from the periphery of the cornea, creating slightly more curvature and redirecting the light from behind the retina.

• Astigmatism by changing the irregular shape of the cornea, making it more spherical, redirecting light to the retina and eliminating distortion or tilting of images.

LASIK

LASIK is a surgical procedure, which combines the excimer laser and the microkeratome to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

The microkeratome is used to make a protective corneal flap in the epithelial layer of the cornea. The flap is temporarily folded back, and computer-controlled pulses of cool laser light are applied to the inner corneal layer. The inner layers are gently reshaped to match your contact lens or glasses prescription. The protective flap is closed and heals naturally and securely.

PRK (Photo-Refractive Keratectomy)

Photo-Refractive Keratectomy simply means to remove corneal tissue with light. PRK uses the computer controlled excimer laser to reshape the surface of the cornea. First, the outer layer of cells, or epithelium, is removed. Next, a predetermined amount of tissue based on each patient's individual prescription is removed with each pulse of the laser. The resulting shape of the surface of the cornea allows light to focus more directly on the retina.

How Do I Prepare For My Procedure?

Contact Lenses should be removed for the recommended period of time prior to you procedure. This allows the cornea to return to its natural curvature prior to treatment with the laser. Your eye doctor will instruct you as to the appropriate time period depending on the type of lenses you currently wear.

There are no restrictions on eating, drinking or medications immediately prior to your procedure. However, you should avoid alcohol and medications that cause drowsiness.

You will need to make arrangements for someone to drive you home following the procedure.

You should not wear make-up on or around the eyes, perfume, cologne, after-shave or hair spray.

Wear comfortable clothing, but avoid clothing with flyaway fibers, such as angora, mohair, etc.

What Happens On The Day Of My Procedure?

It is natural to feel a mixture of anticipation and nervousness before your procedure. After all, this is a life-changing event.

It is recommended that you arrive at the center approximately one hour before your scheduled time. This will allow for any additional testing, review of the consent form and payment to be completed. You should plan to be at the center about 2 to 2 ½ hours.

The surgeon will review your clinical findings. This information is used to program the advanced computer software and direct the laser to make the required corneal changes. The technician will review your post-operative instructions with you and tell you what to expect during the procedure. Immediately prior to entering the laser suite, the technician will place anesthetic drops in your eyes to numb them. A mild sedative may also be given.

In the laser room, you will be seated in a reclining chair, the technician will position your head under the laser, and a retainer will be placed between your eyelids to gently hold them open during treatment.

During your LASIK or PRK procedure, you will be asked to focus on a red blinking light while the laser removes the required amount of tissue from the cornea. Your total laser treatment will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes for both eyes. After your procedure, additional drops will be placed in your eye to help prevent infection.

While the actual procedure is painless due to the numbing eyedrops, you may experience some slight irritation in the immediate post-operative period.

What Can I Expect After My Procedure?

The next day you will have a post-operative visit with your doctor. Your eyes will be examined to make sure the recovery process is progressing normally. Additional instructions regarding your eyedrops may be given and your next follow-up appointment will be scheduled. Periodic examinations are required to ensure that your eyes are healing as expected and measure visual progress.

You may experience some mild irritation or a "foreign body" sensation in the treated eye for the first 24 to 48 hours. Excessive tearing and light-sensitivity may also occur. These symptoms are a normal part of the healing process and are alleviated by the prescribed eyedrops.