Dr. Kevin Merkley, with the Eye Institute of Utah explained the latest technology and how to determine if you could be a candidate.
The Eye Institute’s LASIK team, led by eye surgeon Dr. Kevin Merkley, is one of the most experienced in the Intermountain West. Dr Merkley’s expertise is refractive and corneal surgery, and has been a guest lecturer at national meetings. That kind of experience should help you feel confident. When you consider the caliber of the surgeons and the technology at The Eye Institute of Utah, well, what more do you need? You’ll love the freedom that LASIK brings to your life!
What is LASIK?
LASIK, or Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis, has been a vision correction option for about 10 years now in the US and is not only the most commonly performed type of laser vision correction, but also perhaps the most effective. It’s an ingenious process using a cool laser beam to reshape the cornea, correcting vision flaws. As a result, a high percentage of our patients have had their vision restored to 20/20 or better.
Is LASIK for you?
If you’re nearsighted (myopic), farsighted (hyperopic), astigmatic, or have a combination of conditions, LASIK might be a vision correction option for you. You won’t know if you’re a candidate for LASIK unless you come in for a complimentary pre surgical evaluation.
What happens during the procedure?
During LASIK, the eye is anesthetized with eye drops. Then our surgeon uses a laser (IntraLase) to create a blade-free flap of corneal tissue. He then folds the flap back and applies the excimer laser’s cool beam to gently reshape the cornea. The doctor returns the corneal flap to its original position where it immediately holds fast. The procedure takes just five to ten minutes and the total visit lasts approximately two hours.
What about recovery?
Recovery is different for everyone, but generally there is little or no discomfort and you should be fully recovered in one to two days. Both eyes can be treated the same day, so you’ll have very little down time.
How successful is LASIK in restoring vision?
The Eye Institute of Utah has an excellent track record of success. Like all surgeries there are limitations and risks. There is a possibility that full vision correction won’t be achieved for everyone. In some cases, an enhancement procedure may be performed several months later. A small percentage of patients experience other side effects, including sensitivity to bright lights and glare, vision fluctuation from day to night, dryness, and halo patterns around lights at night. These conditions are usually only temporary and diminish over several weeks. Infection is rare and prevented by antibiotics. IntraLase technology and the new wavefront-guided, wavefront-optimized treatment options have made LASIK even safer, with an even higher chance for 20/20 vision than ever before.
If you would like more information on LASIK or other services provided by the Eye Institute of Utah, you can contact them for a complimentary pre-surgical evaluation at 801-263-5700 or you can visit their website at www.theeyeinstitute.com.
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