Want to get rid of your glasses or contact lenses? Laser surgery might be for you. Most people who have their vision corrected with LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) or PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) don't have to wear glasses or contacts at all, while others improve their vision so much that they only need glasses for certain activities.

What is it?Laser corrective (or "refractive") surgery uses an advanced scanning laser to reshape the corneas so they focus light rays precisely on the retina. In both LASIK and PRK procedures, a laser is used to either flatten or increase the curve of the cornea, depending on whether the patient is nearsighted or farsighted. What makes the procedures different are the methods used to remove the cornea's protective layer, called the epithelium, so that the surgeon can reach the cornea.

Using PRK, the epithelium is scaled off and the underlying cornea is reshaped. The epithelium grows back in the new shape after a short period of healing. In a LASIK procedure, the surgeon uses a precise cutting instrument called a microkeratome to make a circular slice just under the epithelium, leaving one side attached. The surgeon lifts the flap of tissue, reshapes the cornea with the laser, then carefully places the flap back. It reattaches almost immediately, with little healing required and an almost instantaneous improvement in vision. 

Who performs the surgery?Ophthalmologist Howard M. Levin, M.D., is a specialist in medical and surgical eye treatments and has 20 years experience in eye surgery, including microincision cataract surgery and laser surgery for other disorders. He initially performed PRK and LASIK surgery at the Cleveland Clinic since the procedures were first introduced in 1996. As the only outside physician granted LASIK privileges at the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Levin is one of the most experienced LASIK surgeons using the LadarVision 4000.

Where do I go for surgery?Presently, Dr. Levin performs all LASIK and PRK surgery at the Saint Vincent Surgery Center using the LadarVision 4000, the most sophisticated laser technology equipment available today. Due to Dr. Levin's experience with the LadarVision system at the Cleveland Clinic, he was instrumental in the Saint Vincent Surgery Center acquiring this technology. This technology includes an advanced scanning laser that used radar initially developed for the Strategic Defense Initiative, or "Star Wars," to track small, involuntary eye movements during the procedure.

More Information. For more detailed information about laser surgery, including patient education literature from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, email us or call our office at 838-9555.

While you're online, Dr. Levin suggests the following sites to help you look at laser surgery from all sides:

American Academy of Ophthalmology

The Cleveland Clinic, Cole Eye Institute

American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery

EyeSearch

The Vision Correction Website

'Are You Ready to Dump Your Glasses?' Time magazine, October 1999.

'Discount Laser Centers: Bargain Eye Surgery Comes With Tradeoffs,' WebMD

'Preserving the Miracle of Sight: Lasers and Eye Surgery', National Academies of Science

'Laser Vision Correction' with Antonio Vinals, M.D., WebMD