How can I correct my vision without glasses or contacts? LASIK AND LASIK-LIKE PROCEDURES

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Linda Wilkerson
5 years ago
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1 How can I correct my vision without glasses or contacts? LASIK AND LASIK-LIKE PROCEDURES

2 Northwest Eye LASIK Center, Golden Valley

$While you may have heard all about LASIK, it could be that another form of refractive surgery will provide you with a better visual outcome.$

3 The best choice is to learn first. Each eye condition is unique, and when it comes to surgically correcting your vision, there is no single best option that is right for everyone. While you may have heard all about LASIK, it could be that another form of refractive surgery will provide you with a better visual outcome. At Northwest Eye, our team includes some of the top surgeons in the state who take a consultative, personal approach to refractive surgery. We ll provide you with comprehensive exams that ensure the very best vision correction option for your unique set of eyes.

4 What is LASIK (and is it my only choice)? LASIK is the most commonly known procedure for returning eyesight to 20/20 clarity. For many, it s the best health transformation they will ever make. But LASIK is not the only option available. After a thorough exam, Northwest Eye will discuss your options and provide a recommendation based on your personality and vision goals, as well as the physical and medical condition of your eyes. You ll also learn that some LASIK patients actually receive other types of refractive correction treatments. So what is LASIK, why are there options and what are the differences? Read on. Be Eye Wise and see. LASIK In a LASIK procedure, your Northwest Eye surgeon uses advanced surgical technology to create a corneal flap. This very thin flap is folded back to expose the inner cornea. Using state-of-the-art laser technology the surgeon then reshapes the curvature of the cornea to yield the best possible vision results. Once reshaped the corneal flap is put back into place and typically heals quickly. Most patients return to work the following day. PROCEDURE TIME: 10 minutes per eye RETURN TO WORK: Usually the next day

5 Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) In a PRK procedure, your Northwest Eye surgeon removes a small portion of the corneal surface cells to reveal the underlying corneal tissue. Once this is revealed the surgeon uses advanced laser technology to reshape the corneal tissue and produce the best possible vision results. After the procedure the corneal surface tissue grows back and functional vision returns within a week. PROCEDURE TIME: 10 minutes per eye RETURN TO WORK: 3-5 days Clear Lens Exchange Sometimes reshaping the cornea is not possible. For these situations, Northwest Eye offers a clear lens exchange procedure. As the name suggests, your natural lens is replaced by an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) that will correct your vision to near 20/20 results. PROCEDURE TIME: 20 minutes RETURN TO WORK: Usually within 1-2 days Phakic Intraocular Lens Instead of replacing your eye s natural lens, the Phakic Intraocular Lens procedure adds a second lens that is implanted in front of your natural lens. This new, additional lens allows light to properly focus on the retina and bring your vision to near 20/20 clarity. PROCEDURE TIME: 20 minutes RETURN TO WORK: Usually within 1-2 days Procedure time does not include the total amount in the surgery center on the day of the procedure. For any of these procedures the patient can expect to be in the LASIK/surgery center for approximately 90 minutes. Healing time can vary from patient to patient.

6 Wondering... Will I need glasses after the procedure? Ideally, no. In fact, the vast majority of patients between the ages of will be able to see again without any corrective lenses. As you age, however, most people will need reading glasses due to the reduced flexibility of the eye s lens. This condition is called presbyopia and eventually occurs in everyone, regardless of whether or not they have had refractive surgery. Will it hurt? In a word, no. Not even if you have a very low pain threshold. All patients are provided with prescriptions such as Valium and topical drops to numb any pain during and after the procedure. Some patients do feel something during the procedure, and others note a scratchiness during recovery, but neither is painful and both pass quickly. What if I blink or move? Blinking is inevitable, so all procedures are developed with that distinct possibility in mind. The lasers used by Northwest Eye are targeted by a high speed eye tracking system with a response time of milliseconds which is significantly faster than your eye can move. If you have any uncontrollable twitches or eye jumps, the eye tracker will compensate automatically to ensure absolute safety. Why is the initial consultation important? No two eyes are the same. Numerous factors play a part in determining whether your eyes are well suited for LASIK, PRK or any of the available refractive vision correction procedures. A free, no-obligation, initial consultation is the only way for our surgeons to ensure you are a good candidate for refractive surgery. How much do corrective procedures cost? Once a specialty service for the wealthy, vision correction procedures are now enjoyed by everyone. Northwest Eye refractive surgery costs are on par with most competition, and we offer attractive financing packages with interest rates as low as 0% to spread your costs out over time. Regardless of the procedure you require, when the price is compared to the cost of replacement contacts, cleaning solutions and new glasses, corrective surgery is almost always a better investment over time.

7 will see you right away. Many clinics offer LASIK and other similar corrective procedures. So why entrust your vision to Northwest Eye? Yes, we re good in fact, our doctors are exceptionally good. But other providers offer great care as well. So what sets Northwest Eye apart? The amount of one-on-one time you ll spend with your surgeon. At most clinics, you only meet the surgeon moments before the procedure. At Northwest Eye, you ll meet your surgeon during your initial consultation and they will work with you through the decision-making process, surgery and after-care. A refractive procedure only takes minutes, but the doctorpatient relationship lasts forever. So if you want a doctor you can know and not just meet, Be Eye Wise and visit Northwest Eye. John S. Berestka, M.D. Specialties: LASIK, PRK, ICL, clear lens exchange Matthew Ramsey, M.D. Specialties: LASIK, PRK, ICL, clear lens exchange Timothy J. Ehlen, M.D. Specialties: LASIK, PRK, ICL, clear lens exchange Janice M. Sinclair, M.D. Specialties: LASIK, PRK Gerald P. Loushin, M.D. Specialties: LASIK, PRK Stan Walker, M.D. Specialties: LASIK, PRK, ICL, clear lens exchange

8 NORTHWEST EYE LASIK DOCTORS ELK RIVER GOLDEN VALLEY MAPLE GROVE MINNETONKA ROBBINSDALE ST. ANTHONY WAYZATA NWEyeClinic.com

PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY (PRK) PATIENT INFORMATION BOOKLET

616.365.5775 www.keillasik.com PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY (PRK) PATIENT INFORMATION BOOKLET Please read this entire booklet. Discuss its contents with your doctor so that questions are answered to your