Thanks to the latest advances in laser vision correction, patients have more options than ever before when it comes to achieving clear vision. As a leading New York eye surgeon, Dr. Sandra Belmont has consistently stayed on top of the latest advances and has helped countless patients experiencing cloudy vision due to vision problems related to certain eye conditions or aging. If you are considering laser vision surgery, read on to learn more about the latest techniques and find out which treatment may be best for you.
LASIK
LASIK, or “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis” is the most commonly performed laser eye surgery to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The procedure involves making a hinged flap on the outermost layer of the cornea and reshaping the cornea with an excimer laser. The corneal flap is then put back in place and serves as a natural bandage. LASIK surgery is performed on each eye separately; each eye takes only about five minutes. Patients can enjoy clearer vision as soon as the next day after surgery.
PRK
For some patients, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) offers certain advantages over LASIK surgery. For example, some patients have a cornea so thin that it may be difficult to make the necessary flap needed to perform LASIK surgery. In these cases, PRK may be a more suitable option. With PRK, there is no cutting involved; instead, the outermost layer of cells on the cornea’s surface is removed. The rest of the cornea is then reshaped like in traditional LASIK surgery. The surface cells grow back very rapidly in a matter of days. While recovering from PRK takes slightly longer than recovering from LASIK, some patients prefer PRK because there is no chance of complications from the creation of a corneal flap.
CATARACT SURGERY
Laser cataract surgery can partially restore a person’s near vision if it has been compromised by a clouding of the eye’s lens (cataract). Cataracts most commonly affect adults aged 40 and older, but younger adults can also sometimes develop cataracts. The procedure involves using a laser to make an incision in the cornea and access the cataract-diseased lens. Dr. Belmont will then either use ultrasound energy to fragment the lens (a technique called phacoemulsification) or remove the lens in one piece (extracapsular cataract surgery). After gently suctioning the lens fragment from the eye, Dr. Belmont will place an intraocular lens implant (IOL) in the eye. The IOL allows patients to see clearer by restoring near vision in addition to correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism.
WHICH PROCEDURE IS RIGHT FOR ME?
There are many factors that will ultimately help determine which procedure is right for you. For example, certain laser vision procedures that work well for younger adults may not be appropriate for older adults. Additionally, the laser technique used can also depend on the anatomy of your eye and the extent of your vision problems. By conducting a comprehensive eye exam, Dr. Belmont can determine which treatment is best for you.
For a comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Belmont, please call (212) 486-2020.
