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NEW ACCOMODATIVE PREMIUM LENS IMPLANTS
You can NOW enjoy the benefits of improving both near vision and far vision after cataract surgery! We offer options for accomodative lens implants after cataract surgery to reduce dependence on glasses. Dr. Fichman is the most experienced crystalens surgeon in Connecticut.
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Many people experience difficulty reading after the age of 40. If you vision has deteriorated and you are tired of the hassles of reading glasses Dr. Fichman might have a solution for you!;
Terms and Definitions
The normal eye
In the normal eye, light enters and is bent or refracted by the clear, strong tissue at the front of the eye called the cornea. The cornea, along with the crystalline lens, focuses incoming light onto the retina at the back of the eye.
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Myopia is the most common refractive condition affecting one in four people in North America. Myopic patients are nearsighted: they see near objects more clearly, but distant objects are blurry or even indistinguishable. Myopia occurs when light rays entering the eye are focused in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Traditionally, your eye care professional prescribes glasses or contact lenses to correct the condition.
Hyperopia is caused when light rays are not converged or focused by the time they reach the retina. The eyeball is actually too short in relation to its focusing elements, and the cornea may be flatter than normal. Hyperopic patients are farsighted: they can focus on more distant objects, but not images that are close at hand. Younger people may be farsighted, but unaware of it because they have enough flexibility in their focusing power to compensate.
Astigmatism may coexist with either myopia or hyperopia. In the astigmatic eye, the front of the cornea is not equally curved; it is slightly oval (somewhat like a football) in shape. Light rays that enter the eye are unequally bent and what results is a distortion of the image. In an eye with astigmatism, the refractive elements do not focus light to a point. Astigmatism is relatively common.Presbyopia occurs when the eye’s focusing system weakens and is no longer strong enough to allow one to see comfortably at close distances; vision correction is then required with the aid of reading glasses or bifocals. Presbyopia is not currently an available laser vision correction treatment.
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) involves the removal of less than ten percent of the corneal tissue. The laser is so precise, it can remove a single layer of cells without affecting neighboring cells. The Summit Technology excimer laser system emits a rapid succession of laser pulses. With each pulse, the beam spot widens, removing microscopic layers from the surface of the cornea. The end result is a re-sculpting of the cornea, which allows light to properly focus on the retina.
While radial keratotomy (RK) sounds similar to photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), the two procedures are different and should not be confused. In RK, a surgeon reshapes the cornea by using a hand-held blade to make a pattern of incisions in the cornea that look like the spokes of a wheel.
Those incisions cut through more than 90% of the thickness of the cornea and weaken the structure of the eye. This weakening permits the cornea to flatten, thus shortening the length of the eye and correcting the refractive error.
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Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), combines traditional surgery with laser treatment. In LASIK, a skilled surgeon uses a device to create a thin "flap" of tissue about a third of the thickness of the cornea. This process is done with a special instrument called a keratome. Next, the laser is applied to resculpt the internal corneal tissue. The flap is then repositioned over the cornea.The Laser Vision Correction Experience
Prior to treatment, the physician administers anesthetic eye drops to the patient to numb the eye. After the eye drops have had a chance to take effect, the patient is led to a treatment room and positioned in a comfortable chair underneath the laser system. Once the patient is centered he/she is asked to focus on a small, bright light visible from the bottom of the microscope. This allows the eye to be suitably aligned, and the actual treatment can then begin.
The results of the patient’s pre-op eye exam will determine the treatment parameters that are entered into the laser’s computer. The patient remains awake and pain-free during the treatment. After the treatment, drops are placed in the eye to facilitate the healing process. During the 24-48 hours after the treatment, most patients will experience a sensation in the eye and/or some mild discomfort. Typically, the patient will notice improved vision in 3-5 days or sooner following the treatment. Treatment follow-up generally involves a visit to the doctor the next day, in a month, three months and six months after surgery. Vision may fluctuate over the next few weeks, but usually stabilizes within three months.
