Lasik
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Laser vision correction is a surgical technique that is designed to reduce
your dependency on glasses and contact lenses by reshaping the front
surface of your eye called the cornea using an excimer laser. At Midwest
Eye Center we use the fastest and most precise laser to perform the
reshaping of your corneal surface. Our laser is the newest FDA approved
laser in the United States called the Allegretto Eye-Q Wavelight. There
are 2 types of laser vision correction procedures that we offer called
LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis) and PRK (photorefractive
keratectomy).
LASIK (Laser in-situ keratomileusis)
LASIK is a laser vision correction procedure that corrects nearsightedness
(myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism by resurfacing the
middle portion of your cornea (the stroma) using the excimer laser. In
LASIK a microkeratome blade is used to create a thin flap in your cornea,
and then the excimer laser is used to reshape the middle portion of your
cornea underneath this flap. The resurfacing takes between 10-20 seconds
and once complete, the cornea flap is put back in place. Because the
reshaping is done underneath a flap the outer surface of your cornea (the
epithelium) is left undisturbed making this procedure essentially painless
with good vision the next day. The procedure typically takes 5-10 minutes
per eye.
PRK (photorefractive keratectomy)
PRK is a laser vision correction procedure that corrects nearsightedness
(myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism by resurfacing the
middle portion of your cornea (the stroma) using the excimer laser.
Unlike in LASIK, there is no flap made in your cornea, so this procedure
can be performed in patients that may have thinner corneas or may not be
candidates for LASIK. Instead of making a flap, the surface skin layer of
your cornea (the epithelium) is removed using alcohol or a brush exposing
the middle layer of your cornea (the stroma). Once the middle layer of
your cornea is exposed, the same excimer laser used in LASIK, can be used
to reshape your cornea. A soft contact lens is then placed over your
cornea to help the surface skin layer (epithelium) heal. The procedure
takes 5-10 minutes per eye to perform. Although there is no pain during
the procedure, some patients have a moderate amount of discomfort and
blurred vision for 3-7 days following the procedure while the skin layer
of the eye heals. Pain medications are prescribed to limit your
discomfort. The final clarity of vision that patients get is the same for
both LASIK and PRK.
Are you a candidate for laser vision correction
-You must be over the age of 21
-Your glasses prescription needs to be stable for 1-2 years
-You must not have keratoconus or been told your cornea is unusually thin
-Certain immune disorders and poorly controlled diabetes may alter your
ability to heal and therefore you may not be a good candidate for laser
vision correction
-You must have nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or
astigmatism
-You must not be pregnant
-You must not have had a herpes infection of the eye
-You must not have advanced glaucoma
If you think you may be a candidate for laser vision correction please
call 708-891-3330 to schedule your free consultation today.
We are located just 25 minutes from downtown Chicago
If you currently wear contact lenses, it is best to have been out of them
for 10 days prior to your consultation screening.