LASIK^® Laser Vision Correction - Spinak Medical Eye Center

Laser vision correction reshapes the cornea of the eye to allow light to focus more precisely on the retina. Laser vision correction is a remarkable, reliable technology that uses laser light in a safe, outpatient procedure. Laser vision correction can:

• Reduce or eliminate your need for glasses or contacts.
• Improve nearsightedness
• Lessen farsightedness
• Relieve astigmatism

Most people with healthy eyes, who have not had a major change in their eyeglass prescription in the last 12 months, are good candidates for laser vision correction.

A consultation with one of our board certified ophthalmologists will help you determine if laser vision correction is right for you.

I had my surgery in the spring, and this summer was the first time I have ever enjoyed being on the beach!  I can sit with sunglasses and not squint!  I had no idea how many details of evedryday life I was missing until I had Lasik by Dr. Spinak.  Thank you for changing my life for the better!
Roy K - West Nyack, NY

After laser vision correction, most people can pass a driver's license test without glasses. No procedure can guarantee 20/20 vision. A thorough eye exam is necessary to determine the degree of improvement that you can expect.

Laser vision correction is capable of reducing or eliminating the need for corrective lenses in many patients, including those with nearsightedness (myopia up to -14.00 diopters) and astigmatism (irregularities in the surface of the eye.)

Hundreds of thousands of people have reduced their dependence on glasses and contact lenses after having laser vision correction. Some individuals will see a significant improvement after their laser vision but will still require corrective lenses for some activities. If you are not a candidate for LASIK^®, the Visian implantable contact lens may be a great option.

I decided to get Lasik surgery 4 years ago and I am so happy I did! I went from being legally blind to seeing 20/20. I actually followed Dr. Spinak down the hall after the procedure without wearing my glasses! It is a new life being able to see so clear. I cannot thank Dr. Spinak enough and his courteous staff. I will be forever grateful!
Corinne V. - Nanuet, NY

Many people can return to their normal activities the day after the procedure. Some patients choose to have the procedure late in the workweek, so that they rest over the weekend before returning to work on Monday. However, complete healing and stabilization of the cornea may take up to three months.

To aid the healing, certain sports and activities, such as scuba diving or swimming, should be curtailed for the first month or so.

Laser vision correction is for people who are at least 18 years old. This is because the eye is still developing in younger children.

Laser vision correction has been done successfully on people who have previously had cataract surgery or corneal transplants. Only a thorough eye exam can determine if an individual patient is a good candidate for the procedure.

While Laser vision correction is considered very safe, it is a surgical procedure with certain associated risks. It is important for patients to be properly qualified for the procedure with a thorough eye exam.

It is also important for patients to carefully follow the pre and post-operative instructions they are given.

Some problems secondary to Laser vision correction include:

• Undercorrection
• Overcorrection
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Inflammatory conditions
• Glare sensitivity
• Halos
• Dry eye
• Healing abnormalities

Spinak Medical Eye Center offers many types of laser vision correction. A thorough eye exam will help to determine which option is right for you. All are outpatient procedures performed with eye drop anesthetic.

• LASIK^® - This procedure is used to improve focusing by the eye. During surgery, a thin flap is cut from the corneal tissue and the middle layer of the cornea is reshaped for the correction of vision focusing problems.
• LASIK^® with Custom Ablation
  This combination is used to improve both focusing and vision quality problems, such as contrast or night glare.
• PRK/LASIK^® (photorefractive keratectomy) is a procedure that removes a layer of epithelial cells and then shapes the surface of the cornea to improve the eye's natural focus. In a PRK procedure, the outer cells grow back in a few days. With LASIK, the layer of cells is saved in a sheet and replaced after the cornea is reshaped.
• RK (radial keratectomy) is a procedure that reshapes the cornea to improve myopia.
• AK (astigmatic keratectomy) is a procedure that reshapes the cornea to improve astigmatism.
• VISIAN ICL - a contact lens-like implant is placed inside the eye to resotre visual independence from glasses.

The Visian ICL is a contact lens-like implant that works inside the eye to correct vision. Unlike a traditional contact lens, the Visian ICL is surgically inserted into the eye and does not require regular cleaning or maintenance.

The Visian implant is a valuable option for vision correction, especially for patients who are not candidates for LASIK surgery. It is a lens with corrective power which is implanted inside the eye.  Sometimes the Visian implant is referred to as an implantable contact lens.