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The process of Laser Vision Correction to improve or enhance a patient’s vision surgically can be subdivided into two major procedures. They are:
LASIK (Laser-In-Situ Keratomileusis) The most common procedure performed today involves creating a corneal flap with a special laser (femtosecond by Intralase) or with an instrument called a microkeratome.
- After the flap is created the corneal tissue is retracted back and the excimer laser then reshapes the eye allowing the light ray to focus on the retina.
- This procedure is quick, usually less than five minutes total, and provides excellent comfort during the post operative healing period.
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)- This procedure does not involve any cutting of corneal tissue, rather, uses the excimer laser to reshape the eye completely.
- This procedure was the first to use the excimer laser to reshape the eye.
- The healing period is longer and sometimes not as comfortable during the first few days after undergoing the procedure.
- It has an advantage in that it allows patients who have a thinner cornea to have the surgery, where LASIK may not be a consideration.
How to find out if you are a candidate for Laser Vision Correction- Schedule a complete vision exam at our office if you have not undergone an exam in the past 12 months.
- If the findings of the exam indicate you may be a good candidate, Wright Vision Care (WVC) will arrange for you to undergo the second qualifying step. We will send you to The Laser Center (TLC) for other tests, including an Orbscan and Waveprint.
- After review of all the findings WVC and TLC will inform you of your options and schedule the surgery if you desire.
- For more information stop or call our office to receive a booklet discussing Laser Vision Correction.
Co-management of Laser Vision Correction
Common questions we frequently are asked: ‘Does WVC do the surgery?’, ‘What is meant by co-management?’, and ‘Since you aren’t a surgeon, how are you involved in the refractive surgery?’
Co-management of Laser Vision Correction means we provide the required pre-testing and post-operative care. The actual procedure is performed by the surgeon who specializes in refractive surgery. This co-management works to the patient’s advantage in multiple ways:First, whenever we recommend a surgeon or surgery center for the eyes, we only refer to those whom we have seen consistently excellent results and have an exemplary ‘track record.’ We will only refer to surgeons whom we would be comfortable operating on our eyes. Second, we are an advocate for you, our patient, if concerns arise. We communicate directly with the surgeon, when necessary, and provide ongoing reports of your progress to the surgeon immediately after your office visits. Third, our office has extensive knowledge of post-operative results since we have been co-managing Laser Vision Correction for over 10 years. Many of our friends and families have undergone the procedure and continue to enjoy their new vision each day. Before Laser Vision Correction was available in the United States we were the only office in the area that escorted patients to Windsor, Ontario, Canada, for their procedures.
Recommended Laser Center
The majority of our patients who have undergone Laser Vision Correction, have had their surgery performed by Dr. Louis Probst, of TLC Madison. Dr. Probst is regarded as one of the foremost skilled surgeons in the world by those who know of him in the refractive surgery arenas. He has authored or edited over 5 textbooks, written over 70 articles in professional journals, and performed over 65,000 procedures. He is a true specialist devoted to refractive surgery and does not perform or treat other eye conditions. He performs surgeries in Madison, Chicago, Piedmont, S.C., and Hilton Head, N.C. For more information visit the TLC website at www.tlcvision.com.
TLC Madison has the absolute latest technology available anywhere. They are one of only a handful of laser centers in Wisconsin using the bladeless Intralase laser to create the corneal flap, as well as the VISX S4 Wavefront Technology. TLC uses the latest techniques of 'Custom LASIK' made possible by an instrument called a wavefront aberrometer. This technology provides the best treatment possible providing the best vision possible.
The famous ‘Lifetime Commitment’ provides for free enhancements for your lifetime. Some limitations apply for unusual corrections, hyperopic corrections and very high myopic corrections.
The laser center www.tlcvision.com/centers/madison is located on City View Drive, near American TV East, minutes from Sun Prairie.
Contact our office (608-825-2020) or TLC Madison (608-249-6000) for further information or to schedule an appointment.
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Laser Vision Correction