LASIK

LASIK (Laser-Assisted-In-Situ Keratomileusis) is currently one of the most frequently performed elective procedures in North America. Millions of people have safely and successfully chosen it as an excellent option for correcting their low, moderate, and high prescriptions. This procedure involves two steps. Step one involves the creation of a protective covering over the cornea called the LASIK flap. Step two involves the use of an excimer laser to reshape the cornea to correct a patient's vision error. This reduces, and often eliminates, the need for glasses and contact lenses.



What is Ultimate LASIK at McFarland Eye Centers?

Ultimate LASIK at McFarland Eye Centers combines
to create the LASIK flap, with the ALLEGRETTO WAVE® Eye-Q
to provide our patients with the Ultimate LASIK experience, and more importantly, the ultimate in LASIK vision outcomes!

What you can expect the day of surgery

• First, Anesthetic drops are applied to the eye.
• Shortly thereafter, Dr. Parkhurst will create a protective flap, which is lifted to reveal the inner corneal tissue (Step 1).
• Computer-controlled pulses of cool laser light are then applied to the inner layers of the cornea to correct your vision (Step 2).
• Dr. Parkhurst then replaces the flap.

What you can expect for recovery



Some patients may feel slight irritation for a few hours, but most are quite comfortable after a nap and rest. It is often possible to return to enjoying the outdoors, along with working and leisure activities, within 24 hours.



What is Bladeless or “All-Laser” LASIK?



With Bladeless LASIK, the surgeon uses a laser to create the corneal flap. McFarland Eye Centers is the only practice in Arkansas that now has the capability to provide you with the new generation, super-fast, ultra-smooth, low-energy technology enabling Dr. Parkhurst the ability to customize the corneal flap for every individual patient. This technology now makes it possible to treat those who were previously dismissed as non-candidates due to thin corneas.

• Studies have shown the incidence of dry eye symptoms may be reduced with Bladeless LASIK.
• With Bladeless LASIK surgeons can treat a wider variety of patients, including patients with thin corneas.
• Bladeless LASIK has been used in more than one million LASIK procedures worldwide.
• Bladeless LASIK is the only LASIK technique approved for treating fighter pilots in the military.

What is PRK?

PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), also referred to as LASEK or Epi-LASIK, is a similar procedure to LASIK, and was the original laser vision correction surgery in which the top surface (epithelium) is removed prior to a laser re-shaping the cornea. Following this procedure, a 'bandage' contact lens is used to protect the eye while the epithelium heals - usually in about 72 hours. There are many factors that determine which procedure is best, but PRK is generally used when the cornea is too thin or irregular to create the flap used in LASIK. Studies show that recovery time is longer, and it is less comfortable during the healing phase when compared to LASIK.

PRK was first performed in the U.S.A in 1988. LASIK was first performed in 1990 in Greece. Since then, technological advances in laser vision correction have made LASIK into one of the most widely performed procedures in the world.

http://www.aao.org/isrs/publications/excimerlaserhistory.cfm

With more options for vision correction than ever before, you owe it to yourself to consult with McFarland Eye Centers first. A complimentary consultation will help determine which procedure is right for your eyes.