Vision Correction doesn’t just mean glasses or contact lenses any more. Since the 1970’s, new treatment methods have liberated patients from dependency on cumbersome external lenses.
Today, there are a number of options for treating nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Refractive surgery, the name for all vision correction surgeries, includes a variety of procedures. Laser procedures (PRK and LASIK) reshape the outer surface of the eye called the cornea, while others (ICL and RLE) augment or exchange the lens. Each method changes the focus so that the patient can see clearly.
None of the procedures require anesthesia. All of the procedures are self-healing.
Read more about these procedures below or make an appointment at the Eye Care of Delaware for a free consultation and screening.
- ICL, Visian™ Implantable Collamer Lens
- LASIK, Laser in-Situ Keratomileusis
- PRK, Photo-Refractive Keratectomy
- RLE, Refractive Lens Exchange
- FAQ’s
- Financing
ICL, Visian™ Implantable Collamer Lens
ICL, or the Visian™ Implantable Collamer Lens, is a lens that is placed inside the eye to correct nearsightedness. The results are excellent, especially for those with thin corneas, dryness, or a high nearsighted prescription.
The Visian ICL™ procedure is performed using eye drops to completely numb the eye and an eyelid holder to prevent blinking. Dr. Owczarek makes a small incision (less than 3 millimeters) so that he can fold and insert the Visian ICL™ implant into the eye. The implant is placed in the posterior chamber of the eye behind the iris and in front of the natural lens where it unfolds on its own. Because the incision is so small, it heals by itself; no stitches are required.
The Visian ICL™ provides predictable outcomes and excellent vision quality. It is designed to remain in place within the eye and without maintenance. The lens is invisible and cannot be felt.
To learn more about Visian ICL™, click here.
http://www.visianinfo.com/
LASIK, Laser in-Situ Keratomileusis
LASIK, or Laser in-Situ Keratomileusis, corrects vision by reshaping the corneal tissue beneath the surface of the cornea rather than on the surface. A surgical procedure called Lamellar Keratoplasty is the ancestor of modern LASIK. Beginning in 1949, surgeons have performed Lamellar Keratoplasty to treat higher levels of nearsightedness and moderate amounts of farsightedness. It provides the healing benefits that LASIK combines with the accuracy of the excimer laser as follows:
After the eye is completely numbed with drops, the lids are held open with an eyelid holder to prevent blinking. Next, Dr. Owczarek makes a flap in the cornea, which will later protect the treated area. You will need to look directly at a target light while the laser reshapes the cornea. The new shape will be flatter, steeper, or more spherical depending on your vision needs. Finally, the protective flap is folded back in place where it re-bonds without the need for stitches.
Because LASIK is performed under a protective layer of tissue, vision returns more rapidly, often within a day or so. The protective layer reduces the surface area to heal, the chances of corneal haze, discomfort and the need for postoperative medication. Also, LASIK can treat a high range of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
CustomVue ®
VISX CustomVue® improves the view of laser vision correction. Just like a fingerprint, each person’s vision is unique. Using WaveScan digital technology, Dr. Owczarek can identify and measure the shape of your eyes 25 times more precisely than with standard methods used for glasses and contact lenses. This information is transferred to the laser, providing high precision and accuracy.
The measurements for the CustomVue® procedure are taken with the WaveScan instrument. The WaveScan system measures nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and high order aberrations or distortions in the vision. The excimer laser then treats the eye accordingly. This type of individualized treatment provides great results with visual acuity and night vision.
To learn more about CustomVue, click here.
http://www.visx.com/candidates/customvue_technology/
CustomVue® is a registerd trademark of VISX, Incorporated.
PRK, Photo-Refractive Keratectomy
PRK, or Photo-Refractive Keratectomy, treats refractive errors by removing tissue from the surface of the cornea. First, your eye is completely numbed using eye drops, and an instrument is place between the eyelids to prevent blinking. During the procedure, you will need to look directly at a target light. Next, Dr. Owczarek takes away a thin layer of protective skin that covers the cornea so that the highly accurate excimer laser can reshape its surface. In less than a minute or two, the laser has done its job. By altering the shape or placement of the laser beam, the cornea is made flatter to treat nearsightedness, steeper to treat farsightedness, or more spherical to treat astigmatism.
After PRK, a protective contact lens is placed on the eye for several days while the protective skin grows back. During this time, some patients may experience blurry or hazy vision for one to five days. Eye drops, medication and the protective contact lens are effective in minimizing any discomfort while the eye heals.
Final visual results are fully realized from several days up to a month or more as the surface heals based on individual healing tendencies.
PRK is an option for those who have thin or irregular corneas.
RLE, or Refractive Lens Exchange, corrects nearsightedness and farsightedness using an intraocular lens implant. RLE may be the procedure of choice when laser vision correction is not suitable or as an alternative for those over 40 and those who show signs of developing cataracts.
The highly successful surgical techniques used to treat cataracts are the same as those used in RLE. The primary difference between the techniques is that rather than removing a cloudy lens with cataract, the natural lens is exchanged, changing the focus of the eye to reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
As with other vision correction procedures, the eye is completely numbed and the lids are held open with a holder to prevent blinking. Dr. Owczarek removes the natural lens using ultrasonic vibrations through a very small incision in the eye. He then inserts the lens through the same incision. Because the incision is so small, it heals by itself; no stitches are required.
Many people report improvements in their vision almost immediately, and most resume their normal activities within a day.
Is laser vision correction safe?
Yes.
Over one million patients worldwide have successfully improved their vision from laser treatment. The FDA has approved the excimer laser for vision correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism finding the treatment safe and effective for eligible patients.
Is vision correction right for me?
A quick, free screening at the Eye Care of Delaware can tell you if laser vision correction is right for you.
Some guidelines are:
You must have healthy eyes.
You must be at least 18 years old.
Your vision must be stable for at least 1 year before the procedure.
If you have degenerative or autoimmune diseases, if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you have a condition that makes healing difficult, you may not be suitable for these procedures.
Can I continue to wear my contact lenses until I am ready for surgery?
Because contact lenses can slightly change the shape of your eye, they should be removed and not worn for a number of days prior to any vision correction surgery. Soft contact lenses should be out for 5 days and gas permeable (hard) contact lenses for several weeks before the procedure.
Can I continue to take my medications?
Yes.
However, it is important to tell the staff what your prescriptions are and to inform them of any existing medical conditions.
What will happen after the surgery?
The next day, Dr. Owczarek will check your eyes. Two weeks later, you will come in for a second post-operative visit to make sure that your eyes have healed as they should.
For Visian ICL™, you will need to put eye drops in your eye for 2 weeks post-operatively. Also, you will be wearing an eye shield at bedtime for 2 weeks. You can resume your normal activities the next day.
For PRK, some discomfort may be present until the epithelium heals and covers the treated area. Eye drops, medication and the protective contact lense are effective in minimizing this discomfort.
Will I be able to drive home?
Although some people show quick improvements to their vision, Eye Care of Delaware does not recommend driving immediately after surgery. Come prepared to have someone take you to your next destination.
What are realistic expectations?
The decision to have refractive surgery is an important one that only you can make. The goal is to reduce your dependence on corrective lenses. The surgery does not always create 20/20 or even 20/40 vision. People over 40 who have nearsightedness reduced with surgery may find that they need reading glasses after the procedure. To find out more about what you can expect for your own eyes, schedule a personal consultation at the Eye Care of Delaware.
What about reading glasses?
Presbyopia is a natural aging process of the eye that reduces the focusing for up close reading. Vision correction cannot correct presbyopia, and those over 40 may require the use of reading glasses.
What are the implantable lenses made out of?
The lenses are a collagen copolymer that is very biocompatible and stable. The lens fits comfortably in the eye, and will not cause any reaction. The lenses also contain an ultraviolet light filter to help protect the eye.
As a service to our patients, we are pleased to offer the CareCredit card, the nation’s leading patient payment plan. With CareCredit you can finance 100% of your procedure and there are no upfront costs, no annual fees, and no pre-payment penalties. So, you can begin your refractive or elective procedure today and conveniently pay with low, monthly payments.
CareCredit offers several payment plans so you can find one that work's best for you. With the popular No Interest Payment Plans* there are no interest charges if you pay your balance in full within the specified time period. Monthly payments can be as low as 3% of your balance. For procedure fees from $1,500 to $25,000 CareCredit offers 24, 36, and 48 month plan options with low monthly payments available.
CareCredit can be used by the whole family for ongoing treatment without having to reapply. And by using CareCredit for your vision care, you can save your other credit cards for household or unplanned expenses.
No Interest Payment Plans
- 3, 6, & 12 month plan options
[Click for Details] - No interest if the balance is paid within the specified time period
- Low minimum monthly payments
Extended Payment Plans
- 24, 36, & 48 month plan options
[Click for Details] - For procedure fees from $1,000 to over $25,000
- 11.90% interest rate
- Monthly payments as low as $25 for a $1,000 fee balance
With CareCredit, you pay no up-front costs, no pre-payment penalties and no fees. Plus, CareCredit is a revolving credit line for additional treatment or add-on charges, without the need to re-apply. It only takes a few minutes to apply for CareCredit and you may receive an online decision in seconds! Apply Now or see our staff for more details.
Our online application is the fast and easy way to submit applications.
Use our Payment Calculator to compare plans and get an estimate of what your monthly payment will be.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Many employers offer Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) also called a Medical Spending Account or cafeteria plan to help offset medical expenses. Flexible spending accounts allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars for certain medical costs that are not covered by insurance, including procedures like LASIK. Ask your Employee Benefits Advisor about deducting pre-tax dollars from your paycheck to help you save on your laser vision correction.