Refractive Laser Surgery Information

What is PRK? Photorefractive keratectomy is a refractive surgical technique using an excimer laser to reshape the front surface of the eye. The excimer laser was developed in the 1980s and has been used extensively to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, and consequently enables people to be less dependent on their glasses or contact lenses.

What is LASIK? Laser Intrastromal Keratomileusis is used for higher degrees of refractive error. A very thin flap of tissue is made on the front surface of the cornea. This flap is then lifted and the tissue underneath is treated with the laser. The flap is then replaced and heals without the need for stitches.

What is the KeraVision Ring? The KeraVision Ring is a new technique to correct myopia (commonly known as nearsightedness). It provides an alternative to contact lenses, eyeglasses and surgical procedures that permanently alter the eye.

How does the KeraVision Ring work? The cornea provides the majority of the eye's focusing power. In the myopic eye, the curvature of the cornea is too steep and, as a result, vision is not clear. The KeraVision Ring consists of two, tiny plastic half-rings that are placed within the tissue at the outer edge of the cornea. The presence of the KeraVision Ring causes the cornea to become flatter, thereby correcting vision.

Why choose the KeraVision Ring? The KeraVision Ring is designed to reshape the cornea without permanently altering the central optical zone, which is critical for clear vision. The other surgical procedures cut or remove tissue from the central optical zone making irreversible changes to this area. Also, the KeraVision Ring affords greater flexibility because it is removable. Removability presents the opportunity to adjust your correction as your vision changes with age, and to take advantage of future technological advances or to return to glasses or contact lenses.

Questions to ask about laser eye surgery.

If you've sorted the benefits and risks and determined laser surgery is for you, your next step is to find a surgeon you trust with your eyes. Here's what you need to find out:

• How many procedures has the surgeon personally done? The surgeon's experience is critical, particularly with LASIK, which requires more surgical skill. Be specific about the type of procedure; he/she may have done 500 refractive cases of which only two were LASIK. Also, if he/she is attached to a group, be sure you're not getting statistics from the entire office or group of offices.
• What is the doctor's track record? A good surgeon should have a database that tracks his/her results. Overall, at least 94 percent of patients with low or mild nearsightedness should be better than 20/40 after just one procedure.
• What is his/her retreatment rate? This will tell you how predictable the surgeon is. The rate should be 10 percent. One caveat: a beginning surgeon on his first 50 cases might have no retreatments at all, so keep the figure in perspective.
• What have been the surgeon's worst complications, and how have they turned out?
• Is the laser approved by Health Canada's Health Protection Branch or the FDA? There are lasers in use that haven't yet been approved, and don't have the track record of the ones that have.
• Can I speak with other patients? Any reputable surgeon should be willing to provide testimonials and references.
• Can I watch a procedure to see what it's like?

For more information about the risks of laser surgery, see this article in Time magazine called Are You Ready To Dump Your Glasses?

For information about whether or not laser surgery may be right for you, you can consult one of our optometrists who can help you decide and find laser eye surgery in Calgary or laser eye surgery in Regina.

The information provided in this article and elsewhere on this website are for informational purposes only, and should NOT be considered a medical diagnosis or advice. When in doubt, please visit your local optometrist for a complete professional evaluation.