LASIK & PRK

Achieve Clear Vision with LASIK at Philadelphia Eye Associates

Tired of glasses and contacts? Laser Vision Correction can give you freedom to exercise and enjoy your daily activities without your lenses!

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What is LASIK?

LASIK is the most popular type of outpatient laser vision correction due to rapid recovery, reliable results, minimal discomfort and very high patient satisfaction. All laser vision correction procedures use a laser to reshape the cornea, thereby reducing or even eliminating the need for glasses or contacts by treating near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism. There are three forms of laser vision correction: laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), also called advanced surface ablation, and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). All three procedures have evolved with improved laser technology to become increasingly safe and effective.

Philadelphia Eye Associates Refractive Suite

At Philadelphia Eye Associates, we offer all-laser LASIK with the Contoura® Vision Topography-Guided system using the Alcon Wavelight® Refractive Suite. With this modern approach, nearly 100% of patients with nearsightedness and astigmatism can achieve 20/20 vision. In fact, 30% of patients treated with Contoura® Vision actually achieve better vision than what they could have achieved in glasses before the surgery.

In addition to Contoura® Vision LASIK and PRK, we perform EVO ICL and refractive lens exchange (RLE), two lens-based procedures, that improve vision without reshaping the cornea. EVO ICL is preferred for patients with very high degrees of near-sightedness or patients who have any risk factors for poor outcomes with laser vision correction. RLE is typically best suited for patients over 40 years old who may have both distance and near vision difficulty without glasses.

SMILE is another excellent laser vision correction procedure but is currently more limited in its ability to treat farsightedness and astigmatism. Recent studies have shown similar results between LASIK and SMILE, but a faster visual recovery with LASIK. SMILE is also more difficult to retreat if an enhancement is ever needed.

Benefits of Laser Vision Correction

Vision correction can really change your life. You can experience the freedom of seeing clearly when driving, playing sports, swimming, golfing, and doing everyday tasks like setting the alarm clock and brushing your teeth. Imagine:

No more hassling with smudged glasses or broken frames
No more fumbling around the bathroom and shower
No more fidgeting with contacts every morning and night
No more risk of contact lens related infections and complications

Before and After LASIK

Differences Between LASIK and PRK

LASIK starts with creating a corneal flap that is moved for the excimer laser treatment. The excimer laser reshapes the cornea to alter its curvature and ultimately correct vision problems. After reshaping the cornea, the flap is moved back into its original position.

PRK skips the corneal flap, but uses the same laser reshaping treatment. Each procedure has its own set of advantages and risks that your surgeon will discuss with you during your consultation.

Contoura® Vision LASIK

Contoura® Vision Topography-Guided treatments offer unmatched personalization by measuring 22,000 elevation points to create a custom treatment profile targeting only the parts of the cornea that need to be corrected. This technology allows for one of the most accurate and safest LASIK approaches around. Unlike traditional LASIK, Contoura® Vision has actually been shown to reduce visual disturbances, such as glare and halo, in patients who wore contacts or glasses prior to their Contoura® Vision procedure.

Another major advantage of Contoura® Vision is that it is the fastest total LASIK platform in the US, with the ability to create a LASIK flap in just 6 seconds and to treat a diopter of myopia in just 1.4 seconds. This leads to an improved patient surgical experience with decreased discomfort and a shorter surgery.

Read our Patient Testimonials

“I was nervous before coming in for my consultation because I didn’t know if I was going to follow through. After meeting Dr. Feldman, I felt more comfortable and confident to go ahead with the procedure. Now that I did it, I realized I should have done it sooner!”

Matthew M. (PEA LASIK Patient).

“My experience with Dr. Feldman and the staff at Philadelphia Eye Associates couldn’t have been better. Dr. Feldman clearly explained what was going to happen during the procedure, and gently reassured me at every step as we quickly went from start to finish. Most importantly, I am seeing better in that eye than I have in 20 years with no glasses or corrective lenses!”

Holden N. (PEA LASIK Patient)

Laser Vision Correction FAQs

LASIK and PRK are outpatient procedures that take roughly 5 – 7 minutes per eye. An oral sedative, if desired, is given about 20-30 minutes ahead of surgery to help reduce anxiety. You are awake and your eyes are numb with drops to minimize any potential discomfort.

Immediately ahead of entering the laser suite, the surgeon will give you a step-by-step preview of what sensations you will experience in the surgery so that there are no surprises. The surgeon will guide you through the procedure and encourage you throughout the process.

After the laser procedure is complete, you will be carefully examined at a microscope to ensure that everything went perfectly. Before leaving the office, you will be given post-operative instructions, protective sunglasses, and sleep goggles to wear to protect your eyes the first week after surgery.

Many patients are good candidates for LASIK or PRK. However, patients with very high refractive error (i.e. a very strong prescription) or certain ocular and medical conditions are not good candidates. Fortunately, other forms of refractive surgery, such as the EVO ICL, might be good options for some these patients.

You can schedule a phone consultation with our patient counselor to determine if you are eligible for laser vision correction. Please have your eyeglass or contact prescription available when you call. If you are a candidate, then we will schedule a free consultation with one of our surgeons so that you can further discuss your options.

Over 99% of near-sighted patients achieve 20/20 vision or better without glasses or contacts.¹ This will enable you to watch TV, play sports, and pass a driver’s license exam, as well as many other potential benefits that our counselor will be happy to review with you.

Yes, typically both eyes are treated at the same time.

The entire LASIK procedure typically lasts just 4-7 minutes per eye.

The laser treatment is not painful. However, after surgery many patients experience temporary discomfort for about 3 hours, although some experience little or no discomfort. Your eyes may feel scratchy, gritty, or watery for the first few days, but this resolves quickly.

Many patients notice improved vision immediately after the procedure. The next day, most patients have excellent vision and do not need glasses or contacts. The vision often continues to improve gradually over the following week.

Laser vision correction permanently treats the pre-operative prescription. Rarely, the post-operative prescription can change over time. This may be treated with a repeat treatment or enhancement, if needed. Laser vision correction cannot treat and does not prevent age-related conditions such as presbyopia (the need for reading glasses) or cataracts.

Most patients return to their normal activities the day after the procedure. However, it usually takes about 3-4 days before patients feel comfortable working full time on a computer screen again.

Most insurance companies consider laser vision correction an elective surgery, which usually is not covered. However, we encourage you to call your company to check. HSA and FSA/Flex spending funds can be used to pay for these procedures and they allow you to use pre-tax dollars, effectively reducing the price of the surgery.

We have various financing plans available and can also work with you to develop a flexible payment plan to meet your requirements. Financial arrangements must be completed before the day of your procedure. All major credit cards are accepted.

Laser vision correction is very safe, but it is a surgery and therefore carries some risk. Safety is our top priority, and we have one of the best safety records in the industry. At your free consultation, your surgeon will review the potential risks and the ways that we minimize them. You should be comfortable asking any question so that you are making a fully informed decision.

LASIK & PRK Doctors

Brad H. Feldman, MD

LASIK & PRK

Achieve Clear Vision with LASIK at Philadelphia Eye Associates

What is LASIK?

Philadelphia Eye Associates Refractive Suite

Benefits of Laser Vision Correction

Before and After LASIK

Differences Between LASIK and PRK

Contoura® Vision LASIK

Read our Patient Testimonials

Laser Vision Correction FAQs

LASIK & PRK Doctors

Four Convenient Locations

South Broad Street

Allegheny Ave

Wills eye Hospital

Wills Northeast Consultation Office

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