LASIK Eye Surgery, What does it mean?

Although LASIK is not the only form of vision correction surgery, it is the most commonly selected procedure. The term LASIK is an acronym for "laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis". The goal of a LASIK procedure is for a laser to re-shape your cornea, or the front "windshield" of the eye,  so that light entering the eye can be focused better on the back of the eye, allowing for clear vision.

In this procedure, done at our Pittsburgh Surgery Center, the Alcon® WAVELIGHT® FS 200 Femtosecond Laser is used to create a flap in the cornea in less than 6 seconds. Once the flap is lifted, a laser is used to reshape the cornea. It is extremely important to undergo a thorough evaluation of your eyes before surgery to make sure your corneas are thick enough for this procedure.

A good illustration of what occurs in LASIK is to think of it as a book. The flap made by the Femtosecond laser would be the front cover of the book, and the spine of the book would be comparable to how the flap stays attached to the eye. The laser removes layers of the cornea to reshape the eye, which is similar to tearing out pages from a book.

Using this analogy, you can visualize why it is important for your eyes to be thoroughly examined to determine corneal thickness. If you start with a book that is very thick, it is easier to remove pages without really noticing much difference in the shape of the book. However, if you have a book that is only a few pages long, it is very difficult to remove pages without having a noticeable alteration to the book. The thicker the cornea, the more stable it is when layers are removed.

What is the cost of LASIK?

The price you'll actually pay for your LASIK depends on a number of factors, including:

The type of laser technology you choose

The type of surgical instrument used to create the corneal flap

Whether or not your pre-op exam and follow-up visits are covered in the fee

Whether or not your post-op medications are covered in the fee

Whether or not retreatments (if necessary) are covered in the fee

The skill, reputation, and experience of your refractive surgeon

The community and area of the country you live in

Please call our office for a consultation 800-246-1000!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I see clearly without contacts or glasses?
What is refractive surgery ?
How do I know if I am a candidate?
What kind of testing do you provide?
Who will perform my eye examinations?
How long do my contacts need to be out before my exams and surgery?
Do you have financing options?
How can I find out more?

Patient Information

Associates in Ophthalmology is one of the most established eye surgical practices in the country. Our refractive surgeons, Dr. Donald Santora and Dr. Heather Skeens, are board certified and set the standard of excellence for the entire refractive team. Dr. Donald Santora is nationally recognized as a leader in the diagnosis and treatment of corneal disorders. He works with industry leaders to develop and evaluate innovative eye technologies and uses this research to make sure our patients are getting the very best the world has to offer.

Every patient undergoes a thorough examination and every situation is completely evaluated. We use only the most sophisticated diagnostic technologies available and we customize your treatment based on your specific eye condition and visual needs. Precise measurements are crucial to achieving outstanding vision correction outcomes and for this reason, each key measurement will be independently confirmed by our staff physicians. We've honed our skills through tens of thousands of procedures. What we offer each patient is meticulous attention to detail and an unparalleled surgical experience.

While no one can promise perfect vision, Associates in Ophthalmology is dedicated to doing everything we can to assure our patients' lifelong quality of vision.

To schedule an appointment for a complimentary consultation for laser vision correction (LASIK) or an intraocular lense implant (ICL), please call 1-800-246-1000 or 412-653-3080 extension 1027. Be one of the millions of patients this year that will choose to have their vision and their lifestyles enhanced thanks to these life-changing medical procedures.

Alternatives to LASIK

At Associates in Ophthalmology we also offer Intraocular Collamer Lenses. To learn more about this procedure and our specialists Dr. Donald Santora and Dr. Heather Skeens please visit us at: AIO

Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

aberration: An irregularity or departure from the norm. In this context, an imperfection in the eye affecting vision.

ablate: To remove; specifically, the removal of corneal tissue to reshape the cornea to correct vision problems using a laser.

ablation: Removal of corneal tissue to reshape the cornea to correct vision problems using a laser.

accommodate: Way by which the eye’s lens alters its focal point to bring near and far objects into focus.

AK: An acronym for Astigmatic Keratotomy, a refractive surgical procedure using a blade rather than a laser for the correction of astigmatism.

astigmatism: A vision problem that results in blurred distance and/or near vision. Light rays entering the eye are bent unequally, which prevents the formation of a sharp point of focus on the retina. This creates a blurring of parts of objects you see.

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bacterial conjunctivitis: An eye infection commonly known as pink eye; caused by bacteria.

BCVA: An acronym for Best Corrected Visual Acuity, a measure of the best vision you can attain from glasses or contact lenses.

blepharitis: Inflammation of the edge of the eyelid.

broad-beam: A laser with a relatively large (6-8mm) diameter beam that can be manipulated to reshape the cornea in a refractive surgery procedure.

broad-beam laser: A laser with a relatively large diameter beam (6mm - 8mm) that can be manipulated to reshape the cornea in refractive surgery procedures.

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cataract: Clouding of the lens inside the eye that can lead to a loss of vision.

CK: An acronym for Conductive Keratoplasty, a refractive surgical procedure which uses radio frequency (RF) energy to heat and shrink the corneal tissue. This “steepens” the cornea to create the desired refractive effect.

closed-loop: A constant connection between the eye tracking device and the laser system to influence the placement of the laser beam.

collagen: The principal protein of the skin, tendons, cartilage, bone and connective tissue.

coma: A higher order aberration which makes items appear to have a comet-shaped ”tail”, creating blurring in your vision.

Conductive Keratoplasty: Also known as CK, a refractive surgical procedure which uses radio frequency (RF) energy to heat and shrink the corneal tissue. This “steepens” the cornea to create the desired refractive effect.

cornea: The clear front surface of the eye. Refractive surgeries like PRK, LASIK, LASEK and RK reshape this surface to correct vision problems.

corneal flap: A thin slice of tissue on the surface of the cornea made with a microkeratome at the beginning of a LASIK procedure. This flap is folded back before the laser is applied to the inner layers of the cornea.

CUSTOMCORNEA^®: The branded name for the first FDA-approved customized laser vision correction procedure that addresses both higher- and lower-order aberrations to create truly customized vision correction.

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dilated: Widening of the pupils achieved by placing drops in the eyes. Your vision will normally be blurry for up to several hours after dilation.

dilating: When eyes are dilated, the pupils are wider than normal. This is accomplished by placing drops in your eyes. Your vision will normally be blurry for up to several hours after dilation.

diopters: A unit of measurement for myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism that usually falls within a scale of +14 to -14. A positive number indicates hyperopia and a negative number indicates myopia. Positive and negative numbers are also used to indicate astigmatism. Whether the number is positive or negative, the higher the number the greater the extent of the vision problem.

dry eye: Dryness of eye tissue usually due to deficient tear production that can cause burning, stinging and the feeling that something is in the eye. This occurs commonly in LASIK patients in the weeks following surgery.

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enhancements: A follow-up procedure. LASIK is sometimes performed a second time to improve upon initial results, or if your vision changes after surgery. Speak with your doctor to understand this process more fully.

epithelium: The protective layer of cells covering the cornea.

excimer laser: A type of laser used in laser vision correction that removes tissue from the cornea.

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farsightedness: A common term for hyperopia, a vision problem that most commonly results in blurred close vision. Moderate to severe hyperopia may also result in blurred distance vision. The cornea and lens focus light rays behind, rather than directly on, the retina.

FDA: An acronym for the Food and Drug Administration, a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services responsible for determining the validity and safety of any drug, cosmetic, or medical device.

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Gaussian beam: A type of small-spot laser beam, its unique rounded shape leaves the corneal surface smooth.

glaucoma: A condition usually associated with high eye pressure. This condition results in damage to the nerve at the back of the eye and possible loss of vision.

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halo: A circular flare or hazy ring that may appear around a headlight or other lighted object.

halos: A visual effect, in which a circular flare or hazy ring of light may appear around a headlight or other lighted object.

hazy cornea: Corneal haze is a cloudiness of the normally clear cornea. Most types of haze disappear with time or after treatment with eye drops. Severe corneal haze may lead to reduced visual clarity.

higher order aberrations: A collective term for a series of imperfections in the eye’s optical system that may result in vision problems experts believe to be responsible for low-light vision difficulties.

hyperopia: A vision problem, commonly called farsightedness, that results in blurred close vision although moderate to severe hyperopia may also result in blurred distance vision. The cornea and lens focus light rays behind, rather than directly onto, the retina.

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Intraocular Lens Replacement: Procedure whereby artificial lenses made of plastic, silicone or acrylic are implanted in the eye to improve its focus and correct vision problems associated with cataracts.

Intraocular Lenses (IOLs): Artificial lenses made of plastic, silicone, or acrylic which are implanted in the eye to improve its focus and correct vision problems.

Intraocular Pressure (IOP): The pressure inside the eye produced by the fluids contained within the eye.

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Keratoconus: A disease of the cornea that causes a cone-shaped protrusion of the center of the cornea.

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LASEK: An acronym for Laser Assisted sub-Epithelial Keratectomy, a refractive surgical procedure similar to PRK, where the surface cells (epithelium) of the cornea are removed prior to laser treatment. Then the laser reshapes the cornea to improve vision. Once the laser ablation is completed, the surface cells are replaced over the reshaped area. OptiLASIK^™ Laser Vision Correction is not designed to perform LASEK procedures.

LASIK: An acronym for Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis. LASIK is a type of laser surgery in which the cornea is reshaped to improve vision. A device called a microkeratome is used to surgically create a thin, hinged flap of corneal tissue. The flap is folded back, the laser is directed to the corneal surface exposed beneath the flap and the flap is brought back into place.

lens: A structure inside the eye that helps to focus light on to the back of the eye.

lower order aberrations: A collective term for a series of common vision problems including myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

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microkeratome: A surgical instrument used to cut a flap of corneal tissue as the first step in the LASIK procedure.

misaligned flap: A rare condition in which the flap created with the microkeratome is displaced following the procedure. When this occurs the flap is usually repositioned.

mixed astigmatism: A type of astigmatism that results in blurred distance and near vision. Light rays entering the eye are bent at different points, with one point focused in front of the retina and the other point focused behind the retina. Clear vision requires that all focus points be directly on the retina.

monovision: An approach to vision correction that intentionally corrects one eye for distance vision and the other for close vision. This can be done with glasses, contact lenses, or various surgical procedures.

myopia: Another term for nearsightedness. A condition of the eye that results in blurred distance vision. The cornea and lens focus light rays from distant objects in front of the retina. This incorrect focusing of light results in blurred images of objects at a distance.

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nearsightedness: A common term for myopia. A condition of the eye that results in blurred distance vision. The cornea and lens focus light rays from distant objects in front of the retina. This incorrect focusing of light results in blurred images of objects at a distance.

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ocular: Having to do with the eye.

open-loop: The opposite of closed-loop, referring to the absence of a constant connection between the eye tracking device and the laser system to influence the operation of the laser beam.

ophthalmic: Pertaining to the eye.

ophthalmologist: A medical doctor who specializes in the eye and is licensed to perform surgery on the eye. All LASIK surgeons are ophthalmologists.

ophthalmology: Pertaining to the eye, its function, and diseases.

optometrist: An eye care specialist who specializes in the examination, diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention of diseases and disorders of the eye and associated structures.

over-corrected: An uncommon outcome of laser vision correction where the amount of correction is more than desired.

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Photorefractive Keratectomy: Commonly referred to as PRK, it is a common laser vision correction procedure. PRK uses an excimer laser to remove tissue from the surface of the cornea.

presbyopia: An eye condition commonly due to aging and a stiffening of the lens, which results in an eye that can no longer accommodate for near or "reading" vision. The individual is no longer able to read clearly and typically requires reading glasses.

PRK: An acronym for Photorefractive Keratectomy, a refractive surgery procedure that uses an excimer laser to remove tissue directly from the surface of the cornea.OptiLASIK^™ Laser Vision Correction is not designed to perform PRK procedures.

punctal plugs: A device that may be inserted into your tear ducts to preserve tears and keep corneas moist.

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Radial Keratotomy: Commonly referred to as RK, this refractive surgical procedure flattens the central cornea with a series of spoke-like incisions.

refractive errors: Vision problems caused by an imperfect optical system, most commonly myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

refractive surgeon: An ophthalmologist who specializes in performing refractive procedures such as LASIK.

refractive surgery: Any surgical procedure performed to change the eye`s refractive error.

retina: The light sensitive nerve layer in the back of the eye that receives visual stimuli that are transmitted to the brain.

RK: An acronym for Radial Keratotomy, a refractive surgery procedure where radial cuts are made in the outer portions of the cornea, like spokes of a wheel, to flatten the central cornea.

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saccadic: Involuntary eye movements. These rapid eye movements occur all the time, including during laser refractive surgery and may affect accurate placement of the laser beam.

saccadic movements: Involuntary eye movements. These rapid eye movements occur all the time, including during laser refractive surgery and may affect accurate placement of the laser beam.

small-spot laser beam: At less than 1 mm in width, this type of beam allows a LASIK specialist to perform corneal shaping in fine, gradual, precise increments, creating a smooth corneal surface.

spherical aberration: A visual disorder reflecting a change in curvature between the center and edge of the pupil. This creates multiple focal points and can cause halos in your vision.

starbursts: Flares of light seen around a lighted object that may appear like a star. This symptom is similar to halos and may occur after surgery.

sterile interface inflammation: An inflammatory reaction underneath the corneal flap after LASIK surgery that is not due to bacteria. In rare cases, this condition may result in vision loss.

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tracking device: A component of some (but not all) laser vision correction systems designed to ensure accurate placement of laser treatment to the eye during the procedure.

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under-corrected: An uncommon outcome of laser vision correction where the amount of correction is less than desired. Some surgeons may intentionally undercorrect a particular patient based on his or her individual situation and preference.

Uveitis/iritis: Inflammation of the iris and other internal structures of the eye.

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vaporization: The process by which the laser breaks the bonds of chemicals between individual molecules with little or no damage to surrounding cells. This process is also called photoablation.

visual acuity: Another phrase for visual clarity, a measure of the eye`s ability to distinguish the shape of objects. Visual acuity is measured with a traditional eye chart, with the goal traditionally being 20/20.

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wavefront device: A sophisticated measurement device, which passes a narrow ray of eye-safe light through the optical system and measures the optical distortions as the light exits the eye. With OptiLASIK^™, the resulting wavefront maps are used to provide fully customized vision correction, to address both lower- and higher-order aberrations.

wavefront mapping: A sophisticated way to represent visual disorders, these maps are created by passing a narrow ray of eye-safe light through the optical system and measuring the optical distortions as the light exits the eye. With OptiLASIK^™, the resulting wavefront maps are used to provide fully customized vision correction, to address both lower- and higher-order aberrations.

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Need Reading Glasses?

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a disorder or condition that causes a decrease in focusing power as a result of the natural aging process. This is the reason why many people need reading glasses as they age.

The first signs of presbyopia usually appear around age 40. You may start having difficulty reading very fine print, such as the phone book, a newspaper, or a medicine bottle. Print may seem to have less contrast and your eyes may become easily tired when reading a book or viewing a computer screen.

Keep in mind that while some symptoms may be similar, farsightedness is not the same condition as presbyopia. Farsightedness is a result of a cornea that is too flat or an eye that is too short. Presbyopia, on the other hand, is the result of the eye's diminishing ability to change the shape of its natural lens as it ages.

A Normal Process

When you have presbyopia, your natural lens can no longer accommodate. Accommodation is a term used to describe the eye's way of changing its focusing distance. To focus on an object, the eye changes the shape of its lens. At about age 40, the muscle fibers around the lens lose their elasticity, decreasing the eye's ability to change the lens's shape, or accommodate. At this time, the lens becomes less flexible and less able to focus on a close object. It's a normal process that everyone eventually experiences.

Early on, holding reading material further away from you may help you read. This is why presbyopia is sometimes informally referred to as "long arm disease." Eventually, you may need reading glasses, bifocals, or contact lenses for close work.

Correcting Presbyopia

Unlike other common vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, presbyopia is caused by a stiffening or hardening of the eye's natural lens. This results in an inability of the natural lens to focus on near objects. However, there are a few treatments available that you can discuss with your doctor.

Monovision treats presbyopia by correcting one eye for distance vision and the other eye for near vision. The brain chooses which eye to rely on when you look at an object. The corrections are made using eyeglasses or contact lenses, or one of various surgical procedures. Exactly which method your doctor chooses for these corrections is based on your particular visual need.

Remember, your eyes and your vision are unique to you. As always, it is recommended that you discuss available treatment options with your doctor.

Testing your Vision

What 20/20 Vision Means

That familiar chart topped by the large letter "E" is an important measure of your visual acuity, or sharpness of vision. If your doctor says your visual acuity is 20/20, you see at 20 feet what a person without vision problems sees at 20 feet. This measurement is traditionally considered the baseline, and any differential from it is used by your doctor to evaluate your vision. Accordingly, if you have 20/40 vision, you see at 20 feet what a person with 20/20 vision would see at 40 feet. And if you're one of the lucky few (someone with 20/15 vision, for example), you can see at 20 feet what others would have to be at 15 feet to see.

Beyond 20/20 Vision: Interpreting Your Prescription

When doctors use the phrase “20/20 vision,” they’re measuring visual acuity. But doctors use a different notation when measuring the actual prescription of the eye. To determine your prescription, doctors measure the degree to which your eye is out of focus – the number reflects the power required from your glasses or contact lenses to get your eyes into focus (measured in diopters). If you don't need glasses, your eyes are not out of focus, and your prescription to get in focus is, naturally, zero (0). The more out of focus your eye is, the higher your prescription.

Your prescription consists of three numbers, specific for each eye. Let's use a typical prescription as an example:

-5.00 -1.50 x 180

• The first number indicates the power of the lens required to correct your near- or farsightedness. If this number is negative, you are nearsighted, or short sighted. A positive number indicates that you are farsighted, or long sighted. The larger the number, the more severe your nearsightedness or farsightedness.
• The second number is a measure of the astigmatism in your eye. This may be measured in a positive or negative form, so the number may have a plus or minus sign in front of it.
• Astigmatism also has a direction to it. The third number in the prescription, ranging from 0 to 180, represents the axis or direction of your astigmatism, in degrees.

So, in the example above, you do not have 20/20 vision. Instead, you are nearsighted, with a moderate degree of astigmatism.

Making the Decision

Electing to have surgery on your eyes is daunting, and there are key questions you need to ask before making your decision. The more you learn about laser eye surgery, the more quickly you can put your fears to rest and make your decision.

• How important is laser technology? There are different laser systems used in laser vision correction procedures, and you should educate yourself to make the best choice for you. The vision correction system used can make some important differences in the results you can achieve from laser eye surgery.
• Am I a good candidate for laser eye surgery? Laser eye surgery has helped millions of people around the world. But it's not for everyone. You'll also need to know which vision problems can be corrected by the different laser procedures to help determine if laser vision correction can help you.
• How much does LASIK surgery cost? The popularity of laser eye surgery has brought costs down to more affordable levels. Learn more about costs and financing options for laser eye surgery from your doctor.
• What risks are there with LASIK? Before you make your decision, you should clearly understand the complications that could occur during different laser vision correction procedures. You may want to consult other good sources of information about laser vision correction, such as the FDA's site on LASIK surgery.

Once you've decided to proceed with the surgery, the next step is to choose a LASIK doctor. To help, we give you information about what to look for in a doctor who will perform your laser eye surgery, as well as the names and contact information of doctors in your area.

Financing Options: