How to Choose a Laser Eye Surgery Clinic

Imagine seeing your alarm clock when you wake up, playing your favorite sports without glasses or traveling without lugging contacts and glasses along. If this sounds interesting to you, read on.

Kelowna Laser Vision has been one of Western Canada’s most successful laser eye surgery clinics since 1994. The medical team performs LASIK, PRK (surface treatment) monovision and Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), an exciting option for patients in the 60+ age group.

“We will always be at the leading edge of refractive eye care which means we can offer the treatments that are best for our patients,” said Dr. Joel Casey, Optometrist and one of the clinic’s directors.

Kelowna Laser Vision uses the VISX S-4 IR laser, widely recognized as the most advanced laser platform available worldwide. Dr. Casey and Dr. Chambers, one of the clinic’s eye surgeons, had Wavefront Guided PRK procedures performed at Kelowna Laser Vision over two years ago. The outcomes were fantastic, both can see better than 20/20. “It is truly incredible how much this procedure can change your life for the better, even just by reducing the hassle of glasses and contacts,” said Dr. Chambers.

Major Advancement in Laser Technology – Wavefront Guided Treatments

The gold standard in laser vision correction is Wavefront Guided surgery. This exciting improvement in technology allows physicians to customize the treatment according to the unique characteristics of each patient’s eye. This is much more detailed than older traditional laser treatment methods in which all patients with the same prescription are treated the same way. The potential to have greater clarity of vision and better quality of night vision has taken a giant leap forward with Wavefront Guided treatments. Clinical studies show that the Advanced CustomVue Wavefront Guided procedure can potentially produce better vision than is possible with glasses or contact lenses. The Kelowna Laser Vision medical team believes that all patients deserve the best treatment that technology has to offer and have adopted Wavefront Guided surgery as their standard. Over 95% of their patients receive Custom Wavefront Guided treatments and 100% of the patients who completed a six month post operative satisfaction survey in 2007, said they would recommend Kelowna Laser Vision to a family member or friend.

Procedures performed

There are two main types of laser vision correction: LASIK and PRK. Both are performed using the same laser to reshape the cornea and both have essentially the same end result in vision. The main difference between the two is the way the surgeon reaches the layer of the cornea that must be reshaped. The reshaping cannot be done on the outermost layer (the epithelium) as this layer regrows and fills back in over time. The reshaping must be done on the second layer of the cornea, the thickest layer, called the stroma. The surgeon can arrive at this layer in 2 ways:

LASIK

A thin flap is created and gently folded back by the doctor to expose the majority of the stroma, which is then reshaped with the laser to change a person’s prescription. After the laser treatment, the flap is laid back into place. Because most of the surface layer of cornea is replaced in its original position, very little surface area needs to “fill in” and recovery is rapid. Most people see well the day after surgery.

PRK

The second layer of the cornea (stroma) is exposed for laser treatment by removing the first layer (epithelium) over the area to be treated. Laser pulses are then applied to the surface of the second layer to reshape the cornea and change a person’s prescription. A thin soft bandage contact lens covers the cornea for approximately four days as the epithelium regenerates. After the contact lens is removed, patients notice a day by day improvement in vision, usually reaching driving levels of vision within a few days. The actual laser portion of LASIK and PRK treatments usually takes only 10 to 60 seconds. Any fine eye movements are tracked with a sophisticated tracking system and there is no sensation of pain.

Monovision

Candidates for monovision are usually over 40 years of age as this is when the focusing power of the eye begins to decrease. The loss of flexibility of the lens with age is called presbyopia and leads to the need for reading glasses. Although monovision does not stop presbyopia, it is one way to improve near vision without glasses. Monovision is an option that appropriate candidates may choose when having either PRK, LASIK or Lens Exchange. This allows the person to see both distance and near when both eyes are used together. For those who are 60+ years old, Refractive Lens Exchange surgery (RLE) may be an excellent option. RLE is not a laser surgery but changes vision by replacement of the natural lens, which is located in the middle of the eye, with an implantable man made lens. The implanted lens has a power that incorporates the prescription previously worn as glasses. RLE may sometimes be followed by PRK to give the best possible clarity of vision. This may be the best option for people with early cataracts, high nearsighted and farsighted prescriptions, or corneas that are not thick enough for laser surgery alone.

Diagnostic Consultation – Are You a Candidate?

Consultations at Kelowna Laser Vision are complimentary and include:

• A complete eye examination with a licensed Doctor of
• Optometry corneal topography and analysis with the Orbscan II
• VISX Wavefront analysis of the optical imperfections of your eyes.

There is no pain associated with any of these tests. On completion of the consult the Optometrist will tell you what procedures you may benefit from. You will then meet with a patient educator to answer any questions and discuss details such as: pre-op requirements, downtime, follow-up care, costs, financing and potential dates available if you would like to book the procedure.

Financing

Kelowna Laser Vision offers a six month interest free laser eye surgery financing package with payments as low as $89 per month oac. There is no better time than now to find out if you are a candidate.