Blended vision Lasik is when an ophthalmologist uses Lasik eye surgery to correct presbyopia. PRK surgery can also be used to produce the same effect. This is very new in the armamentarium of LASIK surgery and not available at all LASIK centers. It can also be used as a top up for patients who had LASIK at a younger age, prior to developing presbyopia and who still prefer spectacle independence.
What is Presb'LASIK?
During PresbyLasik the cornea is then reshaped to achieve 3 goals:
Correction of Astigmatism
Correction of Myopia (nearsightedness) and Hypermetropia (farsightedness)
Lastly depth of field is enhanced to achieve a longer continuous focus point for each eye. The focus points of the two eyes differ slightly, overlapping in the middle. The difference between the two eyes is so small that most patients have no problem adjusting to it. Because of the similarity of performance of both eyes in the intermediate range the brain is able to fuse the images between the eyes resulting in binocular vision. This is a contradiction to traditional monovision where the difference of the two eyes is too high to be fused by the brain and the ‘out of focus’ image is suppressed to result in clear vision. In blended vision the eyes work together to allow for good near, intermediate and far vision without the use of glasses.
What are the advantages?
Laser blended vision has a range of benefits, especially when compared to traditional monovision options like bifocal glasses and contact lenses. The main advantage is the freedom from reading glasses. Laser blended vision does not require surgery that enters the eye, making it a safer option than clear lens exchange surgery. Between 95% and 98% of laser blended vision patients can read normal newsprint and 80% to 96% can read the very smallest print on medicine bottle inserts without reading glasses.
What to expect with PresbyLasik surgery
PresbyLasik is a revolutionary way to free you from reading glasses.
Your ophthalmologist will thoroughly examine your eyes and make sure you are a candidate for PresbyLasik. Although the calculations differ, the PresbyLASIK procedure is similar to Lasik
1. Measure and map the surface of your cornea
Your ophthalmologist will check the thickness of your cornea and take a detailed scan of the cornea’s surface. Your eye surgeon uses these measurements to program the computer-based laser used during surgery.During the procedure your eye will be numbed with eye drops. Your eye surgeon will place an eyelid holder on your eye to keep you from blinking.
2. Making the flap
Your eye surgeon will place a suction ring on your eye to keep it from moving. You will feel pressure like a finger pressing firmly on your eyelid. At this point, your vision will go dim or black. Blade-less Lasik involves a femto-second laser that creates millions of micron-sized bubbles at pre-determined positions inside the cornea that gently separate the layers of corneal tissue.
3. Lifting the flap
After the laser has fashioned the flap with the desired depth, size, orientation and position, the eye surgeon lifts and folds the flap back. Like opening a book.
4. Reshaping the cornea
You will be asked to stare at a light so that your eye does not move. Accurately targeted excimer laser pulses permanently reshape the exposed area. Complex mathematical algorithms guide the laser to remove microscopic amounts of corneal tissue at pre-determined positions on the cornea to correct its overall curvature, and in turn correct the refractive error.
5. Replace the flap
After reshaping the cornea, your ophthalmologist folds the flap back down into position and smoothens the edges. The flap attaches on its own in minutes, where it will heal in place. The ophthalmologist will place a see-through shield over your eye. You should plan to go home and take a nap or just relax after the surgery. For a few hours, your eyes may feel scratchy or feel like they are burning. You will be given special eye drops.
6. Vision after LASIK
Laser blended vision does not require surgery that enters the eye, making it a safer option than clear lens exchange surgery. Between 95% and 98% of laser blended vision patients can read normal newsprint and 80% to 96% can read the very smallest print on medicine bottle inserts without reading glasses.
PresbyQ is a revolutionary way to free you from reading glasses.