Different surgeries open options for Austin vision correction

We're proud to offer Austin vision correction surgery tailored for each individual. Your Eye Physicians of Austin eye surgeon can recommend the best choice among several surgeries, including the advanced surface ablation procedure or several intraocular lens implants. LASIK and cataract surgery also are very common choices to correct vision.

The choice depends partially on your problem. A lot also hinges on the unique characteristics of your eyes. At Eye Physicians of Austin, an eye doctor can examine you and help pick the best vision correction for you. If you're considering vision correction surgery, call Eye Physicians of Austin for a free LASIK screening. The cost of cataract evaluations is usually covered by Medicare, depending on your problem and your age.

We give the eyes of Austin intraocular lens options

Does a cataract dim your vision? An intraocular lens (IOL) often helps this problem.

Two types of IOLs replace a flawed lens of the eye with an IOL that focuses much better. The monofocal and the multi-focal IOL can work well for cataract patients.

A third IOL option is called Verisyse®. It is like a permanently implanted, maintenance-free contact lens to improve distance vision. The eye's natural lens stays unaltered (Verisyse doesn't work with a lens clouded with a cataract).

The monofocal IOL

The monofocal IOL has one focus, usually for distance. Nationwide, not just in Austin, cataract surgery patients have been getting monofocal IOLs for many years. Monofocal IOLs can correct other vision problems, too. Sometimes the patient has one eye with an IOL that gives close-up vision; the other eye has an IOL that gives distance vision. Or you may have both eyes set for distance vision and then wear reading glasses.

The multi-focal IOL (ReSTOR® or ReZoom®)

A single multi-focal IOL works at far, intermediate and close distances. It's popular in Austin for cataract and other vision-improvement patients to choose a multi-focal IOL because they can see at a distance and won't need reading glasses after surgery. Nearly 94% of patients with this lens report greater ease in their daily routine including reading, working on the computer, playing golf or tennis, driving the car day or night, and even sewing.

Verisyse, monofocal IOLs and multi-focal IOLS

These have other pros and cons, mostly depending on what your eye is like. At Eye Physicians of Austin, the eye doctor can give you individualized information.

Implanting any IOL

This is outpatient surgery. The patient usually goes home after a few hours. In the specialized surgery suite, the staff and your Eye Physicians of Austin eye doctor make sure you're comfortable in a reclining chair. Then a few drops of topical anesthetic numb the eye. Your Eye Physicians of Austin eye surgeon uses a microscope and miniature instruments to make a tiny, self-sealing opening to remove the lens of the eye. Then your Austin eye surgeon replaces the lens with a monofocal or multi-focal IOL. (Only the Verisyse IOL leaves the eye's lens intact.)

After intraocular lens surgery

For a short while, your vision may be a little blurry, and you may have that "I have a hair in my eye feeling" or mild pain. Take special eyedrops and perhaps a non-prescription pain reliever as your ophthalmologist directs. Patients commonly are able to drive the day after surgery. At follow-up visits, your own Eye Physicians of Austin eye surgeon will make sure your eye is healing properly. This will be the same Austin eye doctor who did your preoperative consultation and your surgery

Like any surgery, complications can occur. But they seldom do. To find out about realistic risks for your unique eyes, talk to your Eye Physicians of Austin eye surgeon.

Before you make a final decision about vision correction surgery, ask if your employer has any regulations about different types of this surgery. Also, check on affordability. Eye Physicians of Austin will be happy to explore several ways to make your improved eyesight affordable.

ASA works well for some people. But it's not as popular as LASIK. The vision correction possibilities with ASA hinge on the characteristics of your unique eyes. For a free screening to help decide, contact Eye Physicians of Austin.

LASIK and ASA have some similarities. In both, an excimer laser reshapes the middle layer of the cornea for better vision. But with ASA, the Eye Physicians of Austin eye surgeon first removes an extremely thin protective layer of cells (epithelium) on the top of the cornea.

With LASIK at Eye Physicians of Austin, the eye doctor opens the top of the cornea by making a thin, fold-back flap. Another laser, the blade-free Intralase laser, often makes the flap, which seals itself within minutes after folding back into place.

With ASA, the thin layer of cells needs to heal. So the surgeon puts a clear, bandage contact lens on the eye until it heals, often within two or three days. (LASIK patients often are able to drive the day after surgery.) Complete healing from ASA can take days to weeks longer. That's why a patient receiving ASA usually waits awhile before having the second eye improved, while LASIK patients often have both eyes done the same day.

Both operations produce similar vision correction (though LASIK can treat more problems). Both also have similarly low numbers of complications and may cause short-term, minor discomfort. For a general idea about what to expect with ASA, read this information that generally applies to both:

• wavefront Custom LASIK
• Before LASIK
• After LASIK

If ASA might work for you, your Eye Physicians of Austin eye surgeon will give you more specific details.