Hartford Hospital is proud to offer state-of-the-art procedures using the Excimer laser (LADARVISION).
For over 25 years doctors have placed incisions in the cornea to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. In the early 1980s, they began looking at lasers to improve the precision and predictability of altering the shape of the cornea. Researchers found that the Excimer laser could remove tissue with up to 0.25 microns of accuracy.
Now, in its second decade of use, the technologically advanced Excimer laser has added a tremendous amount of precision, control and safety to the surgical correction of vision errors. Using this remarkable technology, the cornea is reshaped to conform to your glasses or contact lens prescription, thereby reducing or even eliminating a lifetime of dependence on corrective lenses for hundreds of thousands of Americans every year.
LASIK, or Laser in-Situ Keratomileusis, offers a number of benefits over other forms of laser vision correction because it is performed under a protective layer of corneal tissue. As a result, there is less surface area to heal, less risk of scarring, less risk of corneal haze, less postoperative discomfort, less postoperative need for medications, and vision returns more rapidly, often within a day or so. LASIK can also treat a higher range of vision errors. Although postoperative results vary, most patients are able to pass a drivers' license test without their glasses or contact lenses.
How LASIK is used to treat refractive errors
The Excimer laser (LADARVISION) removes microscopic layers of corneal tissue to change its shape, allowing light rays to focus more directly on the retina.
| MYOPIA (Nearsightedness)
Myopia or nearsightedness occurs when light rays are focused in front of the retina instead of directly on the retina.
To treat nearsightedness, the cornea must be made flatter. This is accomplished by removing tissue from the center of the cornea.
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HYPEROPIA (Farsightedness)
Hyperopia or farsightedness occurs when light rays are not bent enough to focus on the retina.
To treat farsightedness, the central cornea must be made steeper. This is accomplished by directing the laser beam to remove tissue from around this area.
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ASTIGMATISM
Regular astigmatism occurs when light rays are focused at more than one point on the retina.
To treat astigmatism, the cornea must be made more spherical. By changing the pattern of the beam, tissue is removed in one direction more than the other.
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Are You A Candidate For LASIK?
In general, the ideal candidate for LASIK is over 18 years of age and has healthy corneas. Candidates must not have had a significant increase in their prescription in the last 12 months. People with certain medical conditions or women who are pregnant may not be good candidates for LASIK.
Realistic Expectations
The decision to have LASIK is an important one that ultimately, only you can make. It is important that you have realistic expectations and that your decision is based on facts, not hopes or misconceptions.
The goal of LASIK is to reduce your dependence on corrective lenses. LASIK does not always create 20/20 or even 20/40 vision. It cannot correct a condition known as presbyopia, or aging of the eye. This normally occurs around age 40 and may require the use of reading glasses. In fact, people over 40 who have their distance vision improved with LASIK may find they need reading glasses after the procedure.
Your doctor will provide you with additional information that will allow you to make an informed decision.
Before, During & After LASIK Surgery
To learn what happend before, during, and after LASIK surgery,
CLICK HERE.
Does laser vision correction hurt?
You will not feel pain during the procedure. Your surgeon will place anesthetic drops in the eye first. Afterward, medication may be prescribed as necessary. Many patients report no more than mild discomfort for a day or so.
What is "tracking" and why is it important?Tracking is the process by which the eye's position is sampled or "tracked" during the vision correction procedure. Your eyes are always moving. Even when you think you're keeping them perfectly still, your eyes make small, sharp, involuntary movements (called saccadic movements.) During laser vision correction, it is important that your eye remain very still so that each laser pulse is accurately placed to reshape the cornea.
Can I go back to work right away after surgery?
Many people return to work the next day, but a day or two of rest is recommended.
Are there any side effects?
Some people experience "dry eye", which usually is easily alleviated with drops and disappears over time. Another side effect may be "starbursts" or halos around lights, especially at night. Usually this effect lessens or disappears over time, too.
Are follow-up visits after surgery required?
Yes. We like to see our patients the morning after surgery, and then at one week, three months, six months and a year.
Are all the follow-up visits required covered under the initial fee for the surgery?
Yes, all these follow-ups are included in the initial Fee; there are no extra charges.
Will insurance cover the cost of this procedure?
Insurance typically does not cover this procedure as it is considered an elective surgical procedure.
Do you have any financing plans?
Yes, we have a number of affordable financing programs with which you can finance up to 100% of the fee with no down payment, low, fixed interest rates and monthly payments for up to 60 months with "no prepayment penalty." Applying is quick and easy.
I'm Interested. What is my next step?
If you would like to learn more, please
contact us to arrange to attend one of our upcoming patient information seminars, or a personal consultation.
We will confirm whether or not you are a qualified candidate, and we'll provide you with detailed information, in order to allow you to make an informed decision about this life enhancing vision correction procedure.