FAQ Frequently asked questions Who is a candidate? Refractive surgery is typically for patients 21 years of age or older who have nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) or astigmatism, and who meet certain visual and medical requirements. The ideal patient has a healthy cornea and has not had a significant increase in his/her prescription in the last year. In addition, most candidates are individuals who are dissatisfied with their contact lenses or glasses (often due to occupational or lifestyle reasons) and are motivated to make a change. What is the excimer laser? The excimer laser has provided significant advancement in surgical techniques, particularly in the field of eye care. Unlike traditional lasers, the excimer laser produces a "cool" or non-thermal light beam, minimizing the risk of thermal damage to surrounding tissue. Using an excimer laser can eliminate or reduce a patient's need for corrective lenses. An advanced computer guides the laser as it precisely reshapes the cornea, producing a sharper image on the retina. Excimer laser surgery is now considered to be one of the safest and most accurate methods of correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Why do patients choose excimer laser surgery? Many patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism want to be free of the limitations of corrective lenses. Many patients enjoy swimming, diving, skiing and other athletic endeavors where wearing glasses or contacts is inconvenient or impossible. Some patients elect to have laser surgery for occupational reasons, while others feel visually and socially limited in their everyday activities. What is the difference between PRK and LASIK? Both PRK and LASIK use the excimer laser to reshape the cornea and correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Developed during the 1980's, PRK is used to treat low to moderate amounts of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. In PRK, a thin layer of tissue is removed directly from the surface of the eye with the laser. Patients may experience discomfort for 1-3 days, and full healing and vision correction are achieved in about one to four weeks. LASIK is the most advanced excimer laser procedure and requires more technical skill and training than PRK. The LASIK method offers next day visual recovery, minimal discomfort that may last up to two hours and a lower risk of scarring than PRK or other surgical options. Sometimes referred to as the "flap and zap" method, LASIK is an extremely effective outpatient procedure suitable for most levels of vision correction. During the surgery, a thin flap is made in the corneal tissue but not completely removed. Once the laser beam has been used to correct ("zap") the contour of the cornea, the flap is folded back in place and the procedure completed. Why choose LASIK Specifically, LASIK surgery creates less trauma to the eye than PRK, enabling the cornea to heal more quickly and improving vision more rapidly. The number of people considering refractive surgery is at an all time high and LASIK is currently considered to be the procedure of choice. Some of the benefits of LASIK are: 1. brief recovery time 2. minimal post-operative discomfort 3. less post-operative medication 4. high degree of predictability 5. preservation of corneal surface 6. very low risk of scarring 7. low risk of complications 8. freedom or reduced dependence on glasses/contact lenses How long does the LASIK procedure take? The procedure lasts about 15 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis. What are some of the practical details regarding laser vision correction? You will undergo the procedure as an outpatient and the entire process takes about 15 minutes. No injections are used, only some drops to anesthetize your eye. You will watch a dim flashing target light as the laser beam, a cool ultraviolet and invisible pulsating light, very gently removes a microscopic layer of tissue from your cornea. No blades are used in PRK, whereas in LASIK you will hear the sound and perhaps feel the vibration of the microkeratome. Often, both eyes are done at the same session, unless you desire otherwise. After the procedure, medication will be placed in your eye. In PRK, a soft contact lens is placed for two days. In LASIK, no lens is used. How safe & effective is laser vision correction Over a million people worldwide have successfully undergone laser vision correction. The USA FDA has approved all the PRK procedures for correction of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. These procedures have been extensively studied and found to be safe and effective. Complications during the procedure itself are very rare in PRK. In LASIK, there is a very small chance (less than 1%) that the flap created will be less than ideal, causing the procedure to be postponed for several months. Following treatment for mild to moderate myopia, 99 percent of our patients achieve 20/40 or better vision and can pass the driving test in most states without corrective lenses, and most achieve 20/20. Both PRK and LASIK can at times provide a result whose accuracy is less than desired. Usually, an enhancement procedure can be performed afterwards to achieve a satisfactory result. Is the procedure accompanied by pain? Anesthetic drops usually allow the operation to be performed without pain. Afterwards, the eye is may feel slightly irritated and scratchy, but most patients do not require pain medications and are able to return to work the following day. Should I consider laser vision correction? You may consider laser vision correction if you desire to reduce your dependence upon glasses or contact lenses; for example, for cosmetic reasons, comfort, freedom, sports, or to gain access to certain employment with visual requirements. You should be at least 18 years of age (preferably 21), be free from eye disease, and have had a stable optical prescription for the past 2 years. You should not be pregnant or nursing and you should be free from certain diseases such as autoimmune diseases that can affect healing. Also, you must meet accepted criteria regarding your prescription. Refractive surgery offers an exciting alternative to glasses or contact lenses. But you must accept the possibility of risk, even though small, and the fact that you may need an enhancement if the result of the first procedure was less than ideal. After refractive surgery, some people may still use glasses or contact lenses in some situations. All methods of vision correction have their benefits and drawbacks. The best method for correcting your vision should be decided after a thorough examination and discussion with Dr. Swinger. How do I obtain more information? Finding out more about the health of your eye and your vision correction needs is your first step toward better eyesight. Contact the Swinger Vision Center at 212-459-0707 and schedule an appointment for a complimentary consultation. This will help you determine your best options for vision correction. .

Swinger Vision MEETH Laser Center 210 East 64th Street, NYC Tel: 212-579-5500 Fax: 212-288-6434 E-mail: laser@swingervision.com