| What Is Nearsightedness? Nearsightedness occurs when the curve at the front portion of the eye, known as the cornea, is too steep. In a normal eye, the cornea and lens of the eye focus light to form an image on the back inside surface of the eye, known as the retina. With nearsightedness, the eye focuses or refracts light too much, causing images of distant objects to form in front of the retina and appear blurry. What Is Laser Correction of Nearsightedness? Excimer laser correction is a treatment
that uses the excimer laser beam to correct nearsightedness.
During the treatment, the laser's cool ultraviolet light removes
a small amount of tissue-typically less than the thickness
of a human hair. Short pulses of laser light flatten the curvature
of the cornea, allowing images to be more sharply focused
on the retina. If you are considering laser correction
of nearsightedness, you must be at least 18 years old, with
healthy eyes and stable vision. Your eye care professional
will provide additional information and determine whether
laser correction for nearsightedness is right for you. Laser correction of nearsightedness
may reduce the condition overall, while also reducing or eliminating
your dependence upon contact lenses and glasses. During US clinical studies, 94
percent of patients achieved results of 20/40 or better (sufficient
vision to obtain a driver's license without restrictions in
most states). Hundreds of thousands of patients
with nearsightedness have had this treatment performed on
them successfully; the FDA has approved laser correction of
moderate nearsightedness and found the treatment safe and
effective for eligible patients. Based on patient data obtained
for FDA approval, all patients experienced a significant improvement
in uncorrected vision (vision without glasses or contact lenses)
after laser correction with the VISX Excimer Laser System,
as approved by the US FDA. The treatment itself is painless. However, your eye may hurt for one to three days following the treatment. Many patients compare this to a sensation of sand in the eye. Your doctor can prescribe pain medication to alleviate any discomfort during recovery. Your vision will become stable
within the first several weeks after surgery. Some patients
may experience some small vision changes. Prior to the treatment, your eye care professional will conduct a thorough examination to determine whether your eye is healthy and suitable for laser correction. In addition, computerized mapping of your cornea will be performed to assess the shape and smoothness of your cornea. What Can I Expect the Day of Treatment? Once you become accustomed to the sound of the laser, anesthetic drops will be placed in your eye to numb it. In the laser room, you will be seated in a reclining chair, your eye doctor will position your head under the laser, and a retainer will be placed between your eyelids to gently and comfortably hold them open during the treatment. The treatment begins with the removal of the outermost layer of the cornea. Once completed, you w be asked to focus on a blinking red light. Microscopic amounts of tissue will then be removed from your cornea using the VISX Excimer Laser. Your eye will be exposed to the laser for less than one minute and the entire procedure takes about 15 minutes. After your excimer laser treatment is complete, some drops or ointment will be placed in your eye for your protection and comfort. How Much Will It Cost ? Fees for laser correction for nearsightedness
are set by individual eye care practitioners. As this is a
new treatment and viewed as elective, it is not covered under
most medical plans. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE HAVING LASER CORRECTION OF NEARSIGHTEDNESS
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