LASIK is a procedure that reshapes the cornea to improve vision.

LASIK can treat nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. These are conditions that require the use of glasses and contact lenses for clear vision. With some exceptions, LASIK generally treats myopia between -0.5 and -10 diopters, hyperopia between +0.5 and +6.0 diopters, and astigmatism between 0.5 and 6.0 diopters.

Patients who have had previous eye surgery may qualify for LASIK. LASIK can be performed after previous radial keratotomy (RK), photorefractive keratotomy (PRK), and cataract surgery. LASIK can be performed on "lazy eyes" and eyes with nystagmus.

Alternative Procedures to LASIK

1. Visian ICL
Visian ICL is a non-laser procedure that corrects vision by placing a tiny lens behind the pupil of the eye. Patients cannot feel nor see the lens and it provides an exceptional level of vision quality (“Hi-Def Vision”) compared to other procedures. Also if patients have thin corneas or moderate to high amounts of nearsightedness, the Visian ICL may be the able to correct eyesight when LASIK is not appropriate. The recovery of vision is just as quick as LASIK. More information is at www.iclinformation.com.

2. Intacs™
For lower degrees of nearsightedness (less than -3.00 diopters), Intacs-micro precision implants placed within the cornea, which sharpens vision by flattening the cornea-may be an option. Intacs micro-prescription inserts are removable and exchangeable, and this procedure avoids operating in the center of the cornea. Intacs can be performed in patients with keratoconus as well.

3. CK
For lower degrees of farsightedness (up to +1.50), CK uses a radiofrequency energy probe to heat specific areas of the cornea to change it’s shape and sharpen vision. CK can also be used for presbyopia (monovision).

4. No-Cut LASEK
For the same range of LASIK, No-Cut LASEK is an alternative to LASIK. The difference is that there is no flap of the stroma of the cornea. The surface skin is loosened with a solution and moved to the side. The top of the cornea is reshaped with the same laser used in LASIK. The skin is replaced, thereby covering the cornea. The recovery of vision is slower, but the end result can be predicted to be similar to LASIK. This is an alternative for patients uncomfortable with the flap aspect of LASIK.

Even though glasses or contact lens prescriptions may fall within the diopter ranges above, there are conditions that make these procedures inappropriate until the conditions are treated or resolved. These include:

Eye Conditions
• Uncontrolled glaucoma
• Visually significant cataract
• Eye Infection
• Dry eye
• Retinal tears and detachments

Systemic Conditions
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Pregnancy

For purposes of this CONSUMER REPORT, LASIK will be emphasized as it represents the majority of vision correction procedures performed.