You may have heard the term monovision in your LASIK research. Monovision is a type of correction made in patients who need glasses for distance and, because of aging eyes, also need glasses for up close vision. Instead of correcting both eyes for distance vision, one eye is corrected to see far and the other is left slightly uncorrected in order to see up close. Sounds like a headache? Actually, its not. Once your brain adjusts to it, you can't tell that only one eye is getting you the clear picture. Both eyes seems to be giving you both distance and near vision.
LASIK monovision is a viable and increasingly accepted method for correcting presbyopic (near vision lost due to aging) and pre-presbyopic refractive surgery candidates, according to results from a recent study. In addition, crossed monovision, in which the dominant eye is corrected for near vision, may be applied successfully in suitable candidates.
“Although the overall success of monovision was good, patient selection is extremely important, as not every patient can adapt to monovision,” the study authors said. “Patients selecting monovision should also be aware that the reliance on one eye for distance vision makes an enhancement procedure more likely than if bilateral distance vision is chosen.”
Roger F. Steinert, MD, and colleagues retrospectively analyzed the preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes of 284 patients 45 years or older who elected to undergo LASIK to correct myopia or hyperopia. Subsequently, refractive success, functional success and patient enhancement rates were evaluated for patients treated with monovision correction. Of 284 total LASIK patients, 188 (67%) elected to undergo monovision correction and 96 (34%) chose bilateral distance correction.
Dr Drucker recommends Monovision if one can get adjusted. The only way to determine this before lasik is a trial with lenses prior to LASIK. Many of our patients elect to have monovision knowing that if they are not happy with it and do not accomodate they can have a retreat that will correct both eyes to see distance and then reading glasses can be used for near. People with certain personalities, occupations and lifestyles are better candidates than others. If you see ads for “getting rid of reading glasses”, monovision is what it’s all about. Dr. Drucker has monovision himself! (Dr. Drucker has one eye corrected for distance and the other for intermediate or computer distance. He wears his glasses for very close vision.)
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
PRK: The original laser eye surgery
It may be hard to believe these days, when everything is "LASIK this" and "LASIK that," but PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) used to be the most common refractive surgery procedure.
Both are grouped under the umbrella "laser eye surgery," but each is a little different when it comes to advantages and disadvantages.
LASIK patients have less discomfort and obtain good vision more quickly (with PRK improvement is gradual and over a few days or even months), but many surgeons prefer PRK for patients with larger pupils or thin corneas. Dr. Drucker is one of these surgeons, and, in fact, is a PRK specialist.
PRK was invented in the early 1980s. The first FDA approval of a laser for PRK was in 1995, but the procedure was practiced in other countries for years. In fact, many Americans had the surgery done in Canada before it was available in the United States.
PRK is performed with an excimer laser, which uses a cool ultraviolet light beam to precisely remove ("ablate") very tiny bits of tissue from the surface of the cornea in order to reshape it. When you reshape the cornea in the right way, it works better to focus light into the eye and onto the retina, providing clearer vision than before.
Both nearsighted and farsighted people can benefit from PRK. With nearsighted people, the goal is to flatten the too-steep cornea; with farsighted people, a steeper cornea is desired. Also, excimer lasers can correct astigmatism by smoothing an irregular cornea into a more normal shape.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD YOU WERE NOT A CANDIDATE FOR LASIK, YOU MAY WANT TO SEE IF YOU ARE A CANDIDATE FOR PRK. CHECK BACK NEXT WEEK FOR MORE ON THE PRK PROCEDURE.
Both are grouped under the umbrella "laser eye surgery," but each is a little different when it comes to advantages and disadvantages.
LASIK patients have less discomfort and obtain good vision more quickly (with PRK improvement is gradual and over a few days or even months), but many surgeons prefer PRK for patients with larger pupils or thin corneas. Dr. Drucker is one of these surgeons, and, in fact, is a PRK specialist.
PRK was invented in the early 1980s. The first FDA approval of a laser for PRK was in 1995, but the procedure was practiced in other countries for years. In fact, many Americans had the surgery done in Canada before it was available in the United States.
PRK is performed with an excimer laser, which uses a cool ultraviolet light beam to precisely remove ("ablate") very tiny bits of tissue from the surface of the cornea in order to reshape it. When you reshape the cornea in the right way, it works better to focus light into the eye and onto the retina, providing clearer vision than before.
Both nearsighted and farsighted people can benefit from PRK. With nearsighted people, the goal is to flatten the too-steep cornea; with farsighted people, a steeper cornea is desired. Also, excimer lasers can correct astigmatism by smoothing an irregular cornea into a more normal shape.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD YOU WERE NOT A CANDIDATE FOR LASIK, YOU MAY WANT TO SEE IF YOU ARE A CANDIDATE FOR PRK. CHECK BACK NEXT WEEK FOR MORE ON THE PRK PROCEDURE.
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