About Cataract

Refractive Surgery Options - Indianapolis and San Diego

While LASIK eye surgery is currently the most commonly performed laser vision correction procedure, in some cases other refractive surgery techniques are better alternatives. Dr. Earl Lanter will gladly meet with you during a consultation at no charge and together you can determine which procedure is best for you. Dr Lanter performs a number of refractive surgery procedures for Indianapolis and San Diego residents, including:

• Epi-LASIK
• IntraLase®
• PRK
• Clear Lensectomy

 

Epi-LASIK

Epi-LASIK is a laser vision correction technique that combines the advantages of PRK and LASIK. The Epi-LASIK refractive surgery procedure involves using a unique microkeratome to mechanically separate the epithelium to make a flap, similar to a traditional LASIK flap. Epi-LASIK is ideal for treating patients with corneas that are too thin to allow for traditional LASIK.

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IntraLase®

LASIK has always involved two steps: making a flap and reshaping the inner layers of the cornea with the Excimer laser. IntraLase®, a femtosecond laser procedure, can be used to make the flap, thereby making LASIK an all-laser procedure. The IntraLase® laser delivers over a million tiny micron-sized bubbles that gently separate the layers of corneal tissue and create a customized flap of the desired thickness, size and location. To learn more about IntraLase® laser technology, contact one of our refractive surgery locations in Carlsbad, CA or Indianapolis, IN today.

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PRK (Photo-Refractive Keratectomy)

Photo-Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) became popular worldwide in the early 1990s and in the USA in 1995 when the FDA first approved the Excimer laser for laser vision correction. The Excimer laser brought tremendous advancements to refractive surgery.

With PRK, refractive surgeons use the same Excimer laser used for LASIK surgery to treat a wide range of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. PRK is performed near the outer surface of the cornea without creating a flap. First, eye drops are administered to numb the eye. Next, the clear protective surface layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, is loosened from the underlying layers of the cornea. The Excimer laser is then applied to the cornea, reshaping it to the correct focusing power. After the procedure, a protective contact lens is placed on the eye to improve comfort during the healing process. The contact is left in place for approximately five days.

Most PRK patients notice an improvement in their vision soon after surgery; however, vision is usually somewhat blurred for the first two weeks. For this reason, many PRK patients prefer to have one eye treated at a time, two to four weeks apart.

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Clear Lensectomy

Clear lensectomy corrects nearsightedness and farsightedness using an intraocular lens implant. For patients who are too nearsighted, too farsighted or have corneas that are too thin for laser vision correction, clear lensectomy may be the refractive surgery procedure of choice. It is also a viable alternative for those over the age of 40 and for those individuals who are in the early stages of developing cataracts. Millions of eyes have received intraocular lens implants when undergoing cataract surgery. The same highly successful surgical techniques are used in clear lensectomy. The primary difference between cataract surgery and clear lensectomy is that cataract surgery is performed to remove a patient’s cloudy lens and clear lensectomy is performed to reduce ones dependence on glasses or contacts.

Performed as an outpatient refractive surgery procedure, the natural lens is removed through a very small (less than 1/8") micro-incision using ultrasonic vibrations. An intraocular lens is then inserted through that same incision. Since the eye is completely anesthetized using drops, the patient remains comfortable. Most patients briefly fall asleep during the refractive surgery procedure itself, since they have received sedation. Everyone heals differently but many patients report almost immediate improvement in their vision. Most resume their normal activities within a day or two. Surgeries are performed separately on the eyes several weeks apart.

To learn if you are a candidate for any of these procedures, contact our refractive surgery centers in Indianapolis or San Diego today.

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Our Procedures

If you are interested in scheduling a refractive surgery consultation in Indianapolis or Carlsbad (San Diego County), please contact our practice today!

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