Why Do People Choose to Have Lasik?

WHAT IS LASIK SURGERY ?

LASIK is an advanced laser vision correction procedure which involves making a 

thin flap on the surface of the cornea with a Visumax Femtosecond laser, which 

is a precise flap-making instrument. In creating the flap, a hinge area is created at 

the twelve o’clock position, which allows the surgeon to lift the flap and to reshape

 the exposed cornea.

A state-of-the-art excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea, removing a precise

 amount of corneal tissue from the exposed corneal bed. The pre-operative 

examination determines the power of your eye, which enables us to calculate 

the amount of tissue to be removed. Recent prescriptions for your glasses or 

contact lenses are usually very close to these measurements.

During LASIK Surgery the flap is then laid back and within minutes natural 

forces hold it down on the cornea. The epithelium, or surface layer of the cornea, 

begins to grow over the cut edge within a few hours to seal the flap into position.

 Collagen bonds start to form within the cornea and around the edge of the flap 

within days, permanently sealing it.

Myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism can be

 treated using LASIK Eye Surgery. At this time, however, presbyopia cannot be

 corrected by laser treatments.

Myopic Laser Treatment

Hyperopic Laser Treatment

Astigmatism Laser Treatment

When having LASIK, you have different treatment options to enhance 
your outcome. Your optometrist and surgeon at LASIK PROVISION 
will recommend the procedure of choice for your eyes. 

Call Today 1 888 510 2020 For Your FREE Eye Examination to See
 If Lasik is Right For You.

Are You Experiencing Difficulty With Your Eyes to See Distance?

REFRACTIVE ERRORS

Nearsightedness (Myopia)

Myopia occurs when light entering the eye focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Myopia is caused by a cornea that is steeper, or an eye that is longer, than a normal eye. Nearsighted people typically see well up close, but have difficulty seeing far away.

Farsightedness (Hyperopia)

Hyperopia occurs when light entering the eye focuses behind the retina, instead of directly on it. Hyperopia is caused by a cornea that is flatter, or an eye that is shorter, than a normal eye. Farsighted people usually have trouble seeing up close, but may also have difficulty seeing far away as well.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is oval like a football instead of spherical like a basketball. Most astigmatic corneas have two curves – a steeper curve and a flatter curve. This causes light to focus on more than one point in the eye, resulting in blurred vision at distance or near. Astigmatism often occurs along with nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia occurs when the natural lens can no longer focus on near objects. Accommodation is the eye’s way of changing its focusing distance: the lens thickens, increasing its ability to focus close-up. At about the age of 40, the lens becomes less flexible and accommodation is gradually lost. It’s a normal process that everyone eventually experiences. Unfortunately, to date, a laser vision correction procedure that can completely manage this condition effectively does not exist.

Monovision

Monovision describes a situation where one of the eyes, typically the dominant eye, is corrected for distance and the other eye is left slightly nearsighted to help with reading. There is typically a period of adaptation required, with the most successful patients being those who have experienced monovision with their contact lenses. It is not recommended, however, for patients who require optimal distance or near correction, and/or astute depth perception, as these will be slightly compromised.

DR. ANDREW  W. TAYLOR

                                      

M.D. F.R.C.S.C, Dip. A.B.O. 

LASIK PROVISION  

1.888.510.2020

What is PRESBYOPIA? Laser Blended Vision Treatment

BLENDED VISION LASER SURGERY

Laser Blended Vision Treatment – A New Answer for Presbyopia

What is PRESBYOPIA?

As people get older, the lens inside their eye changes and is no longer able to focus the eye on images up close. This condition is called presbyopia. People with this condition may experience eye fatigue when reading in poor light or at the end of the day, have trouble changing their focus from distance to near, or need to constantly change the position of reading materials to find the right focus. This loss of elasticity in the lens becomes evident when near vision starts to get blurry somewhere between the ages of 40 to 50. Nobody is immune from this condition, and unchecked certainly means wearing reading glasses, bifocals or progressives.

What Are the Symptoms of Presbyopia?

Symptoms of presbyopia include:

• Blurred vision at a normal reading distance.
• The need to hold reading material at arm’s length.
• Headaches from doing close work.

Presbyopia can be corrected by wearing reading glasses. Some people have avoided reading glasses for many years, however, through a technique called monovision contact lenses and now blended vision.

What is Monovision?

Monovision is an option for people with presbyopia where the two eyes are adjusted to have slightly different focusing points. One eye will see things close up, the other eye will see things farther away, and the brain will incorporate the visual information from both and filter out any blur. With monovision, the brain usually adjusts within 6-8 weeks to each eye focusing at a different distances. Refractive surgery patients can attain monovision with laser vision correction. The procedure uses a method called blended vision a type of monovision that most people have found easier to adjust to.

How Does Laser Blended Vision Work?

Blended Vision is a LASIK procedure where the excimer laser makes one eye (non-dominant eye) a little nearsighted. Your dominant eye then sees clearly in the distance and the non-dominant eye sees near.

Laser Blended Vision is not just making the non-dominant eye near sighted as monovision. The laser also creates a positive spherical aberration in the center of the eye. This correction makes the image disparity from the two eyes smaller and the brain blends the images together even better that you will not notice which eye you are looking through for distance or near.

Both eyes are usually treated to ensure the best possible balance of vision. The laser reshapes the surface of the cornea just as it is done in conventional laser eye surgery. During conventional laser eye surgery the laser reshapes the cornea so that the power is the same throughout the whole cornea. This is not the case for blended vision as the laser creates different power zones so that parts of the cornea are corrected for distance vision and the other parts for reading vision.

Now is an excellent time to consider blended vision since Lasik Provision has acquired the Zeiss MEL 80 Excimer Laser which is suited for blended vision treatments. Before proceeding with the procedure you will need to be tested to see whether you can see far and near by correcting the dominant eye for the distance and the non-dominant eye for reading. If you can tolerate this disparity in the correction then you will be considered for the procedure.

Laser Blended Vision can be performed on those who had LASIK done before and also on those using readers only to reduce the need to wear reading glasses.

How do we determine if you are suffering from Dry Eye?

DRY EYE TREATMENT

How do we determine if you are suffering from Dry Eye?

In our Dry Eye Clinic we will conduct a series of evaluations and determine the likely cause of your Dry Eye symptoms.
First, you will complete a Dry Eye lifestyle questionnaire- this brief assessment allows us to to understand how your eyes feel on a daily basis.
If the questionnaire indicates symptoms beyond mild, we will proceed with LipView®– this technology allows the physician to evaluate the lipid (oil) layer on your eye.

Here’s how it works: LipiView® takes extremely detailed images of your eye’s tear film.

 

Dry Eye Treatment – The procedure is non-invasive, can be performed in our office, and takes less than five minutes. If you’ve ever had a comprehensive eye exam, LipiView® will feel similar. The tear film can be clearly seen as an array of colors that are reflected when a light source is directed towards the front surface of the eye. Readings instantly calculated and displayed on the LipiView® monitor.

Typically, our physician will perform a Meibomian gland evaluation.
LipiView® is an imaging device that is intended for use by a physician in adult patients to capture images of tear film. The following conditions may affect assessment of patient’s tear film using LipiView®

• Use of ophthalmic drops such as artificial tear lubricants, ointments and medications. Patients should not use oil based ophthalmic drops (e.g.,soothe®, Restasis®) for at least 12 hours prior to Lipiview® assessment. Patients should not use ointments 24 hours prior to LipiView® use. Patients should wait at least 4 hours after the instillation of all other ophthalmic drops prior to Lipiview® use.
• Soft or rigid contacts contact lens wear. Patients should remove contact lenses at least 4 hours prior to device use.
• Use of oil based facial cosmetics around the eye.
• Eye rubbing.
• Recent swimming in chlorinated pool. Patients should not swim for at least 12 hours prior to LipiView® use.
• Any ocular surface condition disease, dystrophy, trauma, scarring, surgery or abnormality.

Following these evaluations, we will determine whether or not you have evaporative Dry Eye or Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and if you are a candidate for LipiFlow®

LipiFlow® the groundbreaking treatment, addresses the cause of Evaporative Dry Eye

 
The LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System by TearScience® is a significant technological shift managing evaporative dry eye, with a single procedure, applying a combination of directed heat and pulsatile pressure, many find a single treatment effective in relieving the blockage of their Meibomian glands. The LipiFlow® System is intended for the application of localized heat and pressure therapy in adult patients with evaporative dry eye. Opening the blocked gland may allow your body to resume its natural production of tear film oil.
LipiFlow® treatment is clinically proven with sustained results. In a clinical study about 79% of patients reported an improvement in overall dry eye symptoms after a single LipiFlow® treatment. Depending on the severity of your specific condition and your response to treatment, you may need to repeat the LipiFlow® treatment periodically as your symptoms return over time.
With LipFlow®- and regular checks and ongoing care to monitor your progress- let us help you experience Dry Eye relief like never before.

What actually happens during a LipiFlow® Dry Eye treatment?

The LipiFlow® Activator (a disposable eyepiece) is inserted under your lower eye lid and is shaped to prevent contact with your cornea. Once in place, you simply recline in the treatment chair and experience the 12 minute procedure.

Why is LipiFlow® superior to other Dry Eye Treatment therapies?

If you are moderate or severe Evaporative Dry Eye sufferer, life can seem like a constant battle to alleviate symptoms.  Those drops and warm compresses become a regular ritual. You’ve tried blinking exercises and lid scrubs. And you avoid wearing contact lenses and extended sessions in front of the computer.

• The first and only treatment that addresses the cause of Evaporative Dry Eye at the source, allowing your eyelid glands to produce the oils required for a healthy tear film. Other treatments-warm compresses and drops- just give you temporary symptomatic relief.
• The only treatment that can give you sustained relief through improved gland function. Other treatments require daily, and sometimes even hourly, attention to keep Evaporative Dry Eye under control.
• A powerful step in managing Dry Eye disease, providing symptom relief and helping the stop cycle of Dry Eye deterioration and symptoms.

What You Need to Know About PRK Lasik

PRK LASIK (PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY)

PRK LASIK is generally recommended for patients whose corneas 
are too thin to allow for the creation of the LASIK flap safely. 
PRK LASIK is a refractive surgery in which the central epithelium,
 or surface layer of the cornea, is removed by the surgeon, 
and then the corneal bed is directly reshaped with the laser.
The surgeon may choose to use an anti-inflammatory compound 
Mitomycin C on some patients. Mitomycin C is a powerful 
pharmaceutical agent which inhibits haze in patients 
post PRK Surgery.

 It is highly recommended to use Mitomycin C on all patients with 
greater than -4.00 D prescriptions who are having PRK since these 
patients are at greater risk of the complication of haze formation
 post operatively.

To promote healing and comfort, a bandage 
contact lens is placed on the cornea.
 The corneal epithelium will heal within
 5-6 days in the average patient. 
During this period, it is recommended that 
you are monitored daily by our 
optometrists or your eye care professional 
until the contact lens is removed.
After the contact lens is removed, the follow-ups are
 usually more spaced out. Because there is no flap created,
 restrictions with physical activities are less 
than what is imposed upon LASIK patients.
Myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and 
astigmatism can be treated using PRK. Again, presbyopia 
cannot be corrected by excimer laser treatments.
If you are having PRK, it probably means your corneas are
 thinner than average, your prescription is higher or both.

Dr. Andrew W. Taylor, MD, FRCSC, Dip ABO 
is a cum laude graduate of the University
 of Toronto. He received his medical degree
from the University of Toronto in 1991,
completed an internship in comprehensive
internal medicine at The Toronto Hospital at
 the University of Toronto in 1992, then went
on to complete his residency training in 
ophthalmology at the University of Toronto.
He received his Fellowship from the Royal
 College of Surgeons of Canada in 1995, 
became a Diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology in 1997, and was the recipient
 of numerous academic awards including the Dr. Louis Kagal Memorial 
Award for excellence in ophthalmology from the University of Toronto,
 Faculty of Medicine.

Dr. Taylor has been in private practice since 1995, specializing in 
anterior segment and refractive surgery. He is associated with Peninsula
 Eye Associates in Niagara Falls and is the former Chief of Ophthalmology
at the Greater Niagara General Hospital.

Performing laser refractive surgery since 1995, with extensive 
experience in LASIK, PRK and intraocular surgery, he has also
participated as an investigator on previous FDA trials of new technologies in refractive surgery. Performing over 80,000 refractive  procedures,
including over 10,000 custom wavefront ablations since 2001,
Dr. Taylor founded LASIK PROVISION and is acting Medical Director
of the clinic.

Active member of the Ontario Medical Association, the Canadian Medical Association, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, the
Royal College of Physicians of Canada, the American Board of
Ophthalmology, the American Academy of Ophthalmology,
the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons and the 
International Society of Refractive Surgery.

Live Lasik Surgery With Dr Andrew Taylor of Lasik Provision

Live Lasik Laser Eye Surgery with Dr Andrew Taylor of Lasik Provision