June 2017 - The Eye Surgery Institute

What is Lasik Surgery?

Lasik is an elective surgical procedure and the goal is improve vision and reduce or eliminate the need for glasses. We use a laser to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism. The purpose of Lasik is to reshape the cornea so that the light rays entering into the eye are focused onto the retina.

With Lasik, a flap is created using either a microkeratome blade or a femtosecond laser. The flap is folded back and then the surgeon removes some corneal tissue underneath using an excimer laser. The purpose of the laser is to reshape the cornea so you are less dependent on glasses.

Am I a Candidate for Lasik Surgery?

Lasik eye surgery | Alaina Kronenberg MD

Determining if you are a candidate for Lasik requires a comprehensive eye examination. Dr. Stanley Grandon, Dr. Cindy Wang and I will perform a thorough exam to determine the general health of your eye and if you are a candidate. Dr. Stanley Grandon and I are board certified ophthalmologists and we will perform your surgery.

We need to make sure your glasses prescription is within certain limits and that your cornea has sufficient thickness. It is important to have your contact lenses out for several days prior to your surgery. We also need to check for irregularities of the cornea. Assuming you are a good candidate, we will discuss your options in detail.

What Can I Expect?

It is best to have someone drive you to your operation. Your eye will be numbed and you should be comfortable. Dr. Stanley Grandon or I will lay you back and perform the procedure while we are looking into a microscope.

After the surgery, your eye may feel a foreign body sensation, you may experience burning or itching. The vision may also be blurry. You will have drops to use for a few weeks and you will come into our office the next day for a checkup.

What is Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease where damage to the optic nerve causes vision loss that is not reversible. It often happens when fluid builds up in your eye and may be related to eye pressure . This extra fluid can damage your optic nerve and cause loss of vision. You will often not notice vision loss from the earlier stages. There is usually no pain or symptoms associated.

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness. The vision loss can often be prevented with early diagnosis and treatment. There are often no symptoms in the earliest stages. The vision loss is usually first in the periphery. Later more advanced stages can cause total blindness.

Risk factors for this blinding disease include family history, age and race.

How is Glaucoma Diagnosed?

Glaucoma is diagnosed with a comprehensive eye examination. Dr. Stanley Grandon, Dr. Cindy Wang and I may suspect it if your intraocular pressure is elevated and/or if your optic nerve looks as though it may have damage. Up to half of patients with glaucoma do not have an elevated intraocular pressure when examined. If we have a high suspicion, extra tests such as a peripheral vision test (a visual field), a picture of the optic nerve and checking the thickness of your cornea (pachymetry) may be recommended. Depending on the level of suspicion, we may decide to observe you or opt to initiate treatment.

If My Doctor Diagnosed Glaucoma Does That Mean I am Going Blind?

No! Glaucoma can be treated by various modalities. It is important to diagnose it at an early stage. Dr. Stanley Grandon, Dr. Cindy Wang and I will often initially treat glaucoma with a once daily drop at bedtime. We are trying to lower your eye pressure. Depending on your response to the medication and the severity of your disease, we made opt to add additional drops.

We can also treat it with laser. This laser if often performed in the office and can be used in addition to your drops or sometimes instead of your drops, depending on the severity of your disease.

If your disease is not adequately controlled with drops and /or laser, you may require surgery to achieve control. There are several surgical options that can be performed.

Should I Have Lasik Surgery?