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Eye care specialists and surgeons
providing quality eye care to residents in
Rockland County, Orange County, Putnam County, Westchester County and Bergen County.

845-735-5666
169 N. Middletown Road
Pearl River NY 10965

Fax: 845-735-5673
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Laser Vision Correction - Spinak Medical Center

What is Laser Vision Correction?
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
Is Laser Vision Correction right for me?
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.

How good will my vision be after Laser Vision Correction?
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.

Will I need glasses after Laser Vision Correction?
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.

How long will the healing process take?
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.

Is there a minimum age for Laser Vision Correction?
Laser vision correction is for people who are at least 18 years old. This is because the eye is still developing in younger children.

Can people who have had cataract surgery get Laser Vision Correction?
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.

What are the risks associated with Laser Vision Correction?
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

What are my laser vision correction options?
Spinak Medical 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. For more information see LASIK FAQs.
For more information, see LASIK FAQs

LASIK with Custom Ablation.
This combination is used to improve both focusing and vision quality problems, such as contrast or night glare. For more information, see the Custom Ablation FAQs and LASIK FAQs.

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.

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To learn more, visit
American Academy of Ophthalmology


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