LASIK Eye Surgery
If you have worn contacts or eyeglasses for most of your life, you know how they can make many everyday tasks a hassle.
The doctors at Contemporary Ophthalmology Of Erie in Erie, PA, perform LASIK to help you achieve freedom from corrective eyewear.
How can refractive eye surgery improve your quality of life?
LASIK Surgery Can Create Life-Changing Results
Fast Results
LASIK eye surgery yields immediate results that continue to improve as you heal. After having LASIK eye surgery, most patients are able to return to their normal activities within a day.
Comfortable Procedure
LASIK eye surgery is comfortable and quick, and requires only a few days of downtime.
Permanent Results
LASIK eye surgery can yield results that last a lifetime.Watch what happens during LASIK surgery...
Here's why so many patients are choosing refractive surgery...
Can your vision problems be addressed with LASIK surgery?
Conditions Addressed with LASIK Include:
Nearsightedness (Myopia)
If you are one of the millions of Americans who struggle to clearly see objects that are far away, your condition may be treatable with LASIK.
Farsightedness (Hyperopia)
Patients who struggle to see close-up objects may also benefit from refractive surgery.
Astigmatism
If your corneas are unevenly curved and cause objects at various distances to look blurry, LASIK may help correct your vision problem.
LASIK Can Minimize Your Need for Contacts or Glasses
Most patients talk to our ophthalmologists about LASIK surgery because they want to have clearer vision without wearing contacts or glasses. Because LASIK surgically refines the curvature of your cornea, it can provide increased or complete relief from the hassle, inconvenience, and cost of wearing corrective eyewear.
However, your condition is not the only factor that is considered...
Candidacy Factors for LASIK:
Age
You must be over 18 years old to undergo LASIK eye surgery.
Corneal Thickness
Patients with thin corneas will usually be recommended PRK or LASEK.
Ocular Health
You should be in good ocular health before LASIK surgery. Conditions such as corneal diseases and infection can increase your risk of complications.
General Health
As with any surgical procedure, you should be in good overall heath to qualify for LASIK.
Vision Stability
LASIK patients will need have a stable prescription for over a year in order to qualify for surgery.
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, hormone fluctuations can interfere with LASIK.
Pupil Size
Overly large pupils can increase your risk of developing halos, glare, or night vision issues.Is LASIK eye surgery safe?
Complications Are Rare
LASIK complications are exceptionally rare. According to the American Refractive Surgery Council, less than one percent of LASIK patients experience complications. While you may notice some side effects such as dry eye or halos, they are typically minor and temporary.
Our surgeons will thoroughly evaluate your candidacy and educate you about any and all potential complications and side effects of LASIK so that you can make an educated decision about your treatment. However, we usually highly recommend LASIK because of the procedure's reputation for safety and effectiveness.
How does LASIK work?
What type of laser is used at our Erie practice?
Alcon Allegretto Wave Eye-Q
Our office is equipped with the latest technology, including the Alcon Allegretto Wave® Eye-Q. This excimer laser is designed to increase efficiency and precision with a high-speed laser and eye tracker. The device hugs the curvature of your eye to deliver treatment that matches its exact specifications. The laser's PerfectPulse Technology® allows for a greater level of control, tracking the movement of the eye and ensuring that each pulse is directed to the best position. The state-of-the-art precision technology maps out the unique qualities of your eye for a more accurate adjustment.
What should you expect the day of surgery?
The LASIK Procedure: Step by Step
Anesthesia
Either Dr. Levin or Dr. Imbrogno will begin the procedure by administering drops to a patient’s eye to cleanse the surface and act as a topical anesthesia.
Flap Creation
He can then use a special cutting instrument called a microkeratome to make a precise incision in the protective outer layer of the cornea, creating a thin flap that is folded back to expose the interior of the cornea.
Reshape the Cornea
The doctor then uses concentrated pulses of light from an excimer laser to correct the flaws in the shape of the cornea that are responsible for visual errors.How long does it take to recover from LASIK?
Your LASIK Recovery
Immediately after LASIK surgery, your eyes begin healing. Within about two days, you should notice an improvement in your vision. While, full recovery can take six months or longer, you can typically return to work one or two days after surgery. It is normal to experience some discomfort for the first few days or vision fluctuations for several weeks to months.
To protect your eyes, you should:
- Avoid rubbing your eyes
- Not submerge your eyes in water
- Take medications as instructed
- Wear your eyepatch
- Do not wear contacts during the initial recovery period
You will need to attend several follow-up appointments for about six months to monitor your progress.
More Information About LASIK
Revolutionary Eye Surgery
Are you tired of having to wear glasses or contacts? If so, LASIK may be right for you. At Contemporary Ophthalmology of Erie in Pennsylvania, not only do we strive to meet all of your vision care needs, but we make every effort to exceed your expectations, as well. Dr. Howard Levin and Dr. Vincent Imbrogno have more than 30 years of experience restoring patients’ vision and improving their quality of life. Their decades of technical training, participation in continuing education programs, and wealth of experience make them exceptionally qualified eye surgeons.
Conveniently located in Erie, Pennsylvania, our office is easily accessible, spacious, and stocked with the latest advances in optical technology. Using state-of-the-art technology with the Alcon Allegretto Wave® Eye-Q, the doctors can restore your vision, freeing you from having to use traditional optical aids. Recognized as a leader and pioneer in ophthalmology in the Erie area, Dr. Levin in particular has had the privilege of working on a wide variety of optical cases at his practice in Pennsylvania, Cole Eye Institute in Cleveland, and Saint Vincent Surgery Center. Our eye care specialists have been achieving consistently excellent results through LASIK and PRK eye surgery since the procedures were introduced to the American public in the 1990s.
Contemporary Ophthalmology Of Erie
Ophthalmologists Howard M. Levin, Vincent M. Imbrogno, and Ravinder Sabherwal provide high-quality, state-of-the-art eye care in a friendly and comfortable setting. They are affiliated with leading vision organizations, including:
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
- American Osteopathic Association
To visit our office, call us at (814) 838-9555 or request an appointment online.
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