Before 1990, refractive errors could only be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or a surgical technique known as radial keratotomy or the "Russian Operation". During this procedure, the cornea is reshaped, allowing light to focus correctly on the retina. Radial keratotomy has been performed successfully for the past two decades in many countries including Australia.
Since those early days there have been many new advances in corrective eyesight surgery. Excimer laser (LASIK) is now the preferred method for correcting errors in long vision, short vision and astigmatism. Corrective eye surgical procedures have been found to be proven and effective.
NewVision Clinics' results using LASIK technology show that over 90% of patients treated can drive a car legally without glasses. The remaining 10% may wear glasses occasionally or could require further laser eye treatment to optimise the result. Less than 5% of patients with laser eye corrections up to 10 dioptres will undergo extra treatment. This further vision correction is performed at no extra cost, if performed within a year of the initial treatment.
Once the eye has healed and is stable, the change in the cornea is permanent. Most people will still need to wear reading glasses in later years due to the lens inside the eye hardening with age.
The ultraviolet argon fluoride laser carries a large amount of energy called photons, which break the intermolecular bonds contact with the tissue. A thin layer of molecules is removed with each pulse of laser in a very precise way under computer control.
The laser carries a large amount of energy called photons, which are directed at the tissue within the cornea.
Each computer controlled pulse of the laser removes a thin layer of molecules, reshaping the curvature of the cornea until a clearer focus is achieved. The removal of 10 microns of corneal tissue corrects one dioptre of refractive error.
At NewVision Clinics we use all available laser eye correction surgery techniques including PRK (PhotoRefractive Keratectomy) and LASIK (Laser Assisted In-situ Keratomileusis).
PRK corrective laser eye surgery involves removing the surface layer of the cornea (the epithelium) with a brush and then applying the laser to the exposed corneal area. The epithelium then regenerates. After surface treatment using PRK your vision will clear within the first two or three days.
As the cornea heals, its new shape becomes smoother, allowing vision to improve over time. Within days after the corrective eye surgery, you will notice that your distance vision without glasses has greatly improved and will continue to do so over subsequent weeks. PRK is now used only for lower, long-sighted corrections.
LASIK corrective laser eye surgery requires an additional surgical step to that described for PRK. The surface layer of cells on the cornea are not removed. Instead, an instrument called a microkeratome is used to create a hinged flap that will be replaced once the laser correction has been made. There is little or no discomfort with LASIK and most people find they have clear vision by the next day.
LASIK is now the most common laser eye correction treatment. LASIK is recommended for long sightedness, astigmatism and most short sighted corrections.
Under normal circumstances you can have both eyes treated on the same day and quickly return to normal activities. In some circumstances an interval between treatments may be recommended.
This information is deliberately non-technical. Please speak to one of our staff before making any decisions.