Procedures
Laser Vision Correction
Our center has been an innovator and leader in laser vision correction surgery, such as LASIK and PRK, for more than two decades.
Our center has been an innovator and leader in laser vision correction surgery, such as LASIK and PRK, for more than two decades.
Our center has been an innovator and leader in laser vision correction surgery, such as LASIK and PRK, for more than two decades.
We performed the first PRK laser surgery in the Pacific Northwest, in 1994. And we performed the first LASIK procedure in the Pacific Northwest. Our experience and skill give our patients the best possible care — and bring the best possible results.
Both of these procedures can help reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses, a benefit that has made both procedures widely popular. LASIK and PRK can treat the following vision problems:
LASIK and PRK are both laser eye surgeries that reshape the cornea to correct vision, but they differ in several ways.
LASIK requires the creation of a small flap on the cornea to grant access to the underlying tissue.
PRK requires the surgeon to remove the surface cells of the cornea.
LASIK is usually performed as an outpatient procedure using topical anesthesia with drops.
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The surgeon creates a flap in the cornea with a microkeratome. The flap is lifted to the side, and the cool beam of the excimer laser is used to remove a layer of corneal tissue. The flap is folded back to its normal position and sealed without sutures. The removal of corneal tissue permanently reshapes the cornea.
The vision should be clear by the next day. Healing after surgery is often less painful than with other methods of refractive surgery since the laser removes tissue from the inside of the cornea and not the surface. If needed, eyedrops can be taken for pain and usually are only required for up to one week.
The surgery may result in under correction or overcorrection, which can often be improved with a second surgery. More rare and severe complications include a dislocated flap, epithelial ingrowth, and inflammation underneath the flap. Most complications are managed without any loss of vision. Permanent vision loss is very rare.
The eye is anesthetized with topical drops, a lid retainer is placed to hold the eyelids back. Then the outer layer of cells on your cornea, called the epithelium, will be removed. This is done with a special brush, blade, laser or alcohol solution. You then will be asked to stare at a target light so that your eyes will not move and your cornea will be reshaped using a laser.
The intact epithelium is rolled off center then returned to its original position at the end of the procedure. There is usually no discomfort with the treatment itself, but there may be mild to moderate discomfort for 1 to 2 days following the PRK, because of the healing taking place on the outer layer of the cornea. This is usually controlled with topical or oral medications.
You should be 18 years or older (ideally, over 21 years old, when vision is more likely to have stopped changing) and you have not experienced a significant change in their prescription for several years.
Your doctor will help determine if you are a candidate.
There are distinct pros and cons to each corrective eye procedure, and in certain scenarios, one procedure may be more effective or have greater advantages than the other.
