If you have any questions about our vision procedures or to schedule a consultation, contact us using the form below or call today.
San Francisco
St. Mary’s Medical Center at Golden Gate Park
2250 Hayes Street, Suite 208
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 387-8887
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California Pacific Medical Center in Pacific Heights
2300 California Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, Ca 94115
(415) 921-7555
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Daly City
Seton Medical Center
1850 Sullivan Avenue, Suite 540
Daly City, CA 94015
(650) 755-6900
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Financing Options Available for those who qualify through Care Credit®, click here for more information.
Laser Vision Correction and Refractive Surgery
Surgeons at Pacific Eye Specialists offer several laser vision correction procedures and use only the most advanced techniques and technology.
» LASIK
» PRK
» Refractive Surgery using Wave-Front Technology
» Refractive Surgery using IntraLase® Technology
» Staar Visian ICL
» Intacs for Keratoconus and Corneal Ectasia
» Laser Vision Correction and Refractive Surgery Links
LASIK
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Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a surgical procedure intended to reduce dependency on eyeglasses and contact lenses. It is performed on nearly 1 million patients each year to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism by permanently altering the shape of the cornea. Corneal reshaping changes the eye's focusing power, so that vision is clear without glasses or contact lenses.
During LASIK surgery, a thin incision is made to form a flap in the surface of the cornea. The flap is folded back to reveal the cornea’s midsection, called the stroma. Next, an excimer laser, controlled by both the physician and a computer, is used to remove a thin layer of the stroma. Lastly, the flap is repositioned. In most cases, the procedure is performed quickly using only eye-drop anesthesia. For the typical patient, the procedure is virtually pain-free and only minimal discomfort is experienced during the first evening after surgery. Most patients drive themselves to their appointment the day following surgery.
LASIK is considered extremely safe and results are almost immediate. Because of its high success rate and minimal recovery time, LASIK is currently the most popular laser vision correction procedure. The overwhelming majority of patients enjoy significantly improved vision, and most patients return to their normal daily activities within one day of surgery.
It is important to understand that LASIK surgery does not guarantee that every patient’s vision will be improved to 20/20. It is intended to reduce each patient’s dependency on glasses or contact lenses. It is not realistic for candidates to assume that their vision will be “perfect” after surgery. A full recovery can take several months and some patients find that they still need glasses or contacts for some activities. LASIK does not eliminate the need for reading glasses as people age (presbyopia). There are LASIK techniques available that can provide some help with near vision for patients that are in this age group (monovision).
Potential candidates must be aware that, as with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved with LASIK. Potential complications include dry eyes, corneal scarring, corneal edema, persistent eye pain or discomfort, glares and halos, and a decreased ability to see well in dimly lit conditions. Some patients require additional laser surgery for residual nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism (enhancement surgery). In very rare and reportable situations, partial or total loss of vision may occur.
If you answer yes to the questions below, LASIK may be the right choice for you. However, it is essential that you receive a specialized comprehensive eye examination performed by a doctor experienced with this laser vision correction procedure before making your decision.
- Are you 21 years of age or older?
- Has your prescription been stable for one year or more?
- Is your prescription within –1.00 to 11.00 diopters of myopia, or up to +5.00 diopters of farsightedness, or do you have an astigmatism up to 5.00 diopters?
- Are your eyes healthy and free of disease or serious ailments?
- Are you informed about both the risks and benefits of LASIK?
- Do you know about the alternatives to LASIK?
- Do you have realistic expectation about how LASIK can improve your vision?
It is very important that you have as much information about LASIK as possible before making your decision. Because of this, we offer monthly complimentary seminars and free consultations so you can learn more about LASIK laser vision correction. We encourage you to contact us today for more information regarding LASIK and how we can help you reduce your dependency on glasses and contacts.
PRK
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Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) has been used in the United States since 1996 to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. The procedure is done using eye drop anesthesia. During PRK, the top layer of the cornea is removed to expose the cornea’s mid-section (stroma). Next, an excimer laser, controlled by both the physician and a computer, is used to remove a thin layer of the stroma and reshape the cornea. Patients typically experience mild discomfort for several days after the procedure while the cornea’s top-layer regenerates. Special contact lenses and eye drops are used to help speed healing and minimize discomfort.
It is important to note that every patient will not experience perfect vision after the procedure and that there are risks associated with the PRK surgery, including scarring and infection. As with LASIK surgery, some patients require additional laser surgery for residual nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism (enhancement surgery). Patients considering PRK should thoroughly discuss their options and expectations with their ophthalmologist.
Refractive Surgery Using Wave-Front Technology
The professionals at Pacific Eye Specialists are pleased to offer Wave-front technology to our eligible patients. This technology was used to fix distorted images from the Hubble Space Telescope and was FDA approved for use in 2003.
Wave-front technology is a sophisticated technique for measuring optical distortions (also called aberrations) in the eye. This method calculates how light is changed as it enters and exits the eye. This calculation is then used to produce a precise three-dimensional map of the visual system of the patient’s eye, including the cornea, called a Wave-front. The surgeon uses this Wave-front map to program the laser for the refractive surgery. Wave-front technology may be the only way to detect and correct aberrations, which may cause glare, haloes, distortion, and blurry images. Wave-front technology can be used to perform LASIK or PRK.
Refractive surgery using Wave-front technology is FDA approved for only a limited range of refractive errors. Therefore, not all patients eligible for LASIK or PRK are eligible for Wave-front technology. Also, some patients have minimal aberrations, and conventional laser vision correction is the best option. If you’re interested in finding out if you are a candidate that can take advantage of this new technology, it is important to consult with a doctor experienced in this new method.
Refractive Surgery using IntraLase® Technology
The IntraLase method is a blade-free approach to creating the corneal flap-the first step of the LASIK procedure. The IntraLase® method creates the corneal flap by applying tiny, rapid pulses of laser light. Each pulse of light passes through the top layers of the cornea and forms a microscopic bubble at a specific depth and position within your cornea that is determined by your doctor. As the IntraLase® laser moves back and forth across your eye, a uniform layer of bubbles forms just below the corneal surface. Your doctor creates your corneal flap by gently separating the tissues where these bubbles have formed. Over 1 million procedures have been performed safely and effectively using the IntraLase® method.
Click here to view a video on Refractive Surgery using IntraLase® Technology
Staar Visian ICL™
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The Staar Visian ICL™ is the latest advance in implantable lenses. It is designed for people who are near-sighted and want an alternative to glasses, contact lenses, or laser vision correction. It is especially beneficial for people whose level of near-sightedness is too high for laser vision correction.
The Visian ICL™ offers two unique advantages. The first is that it is foldable, so that it can be inserted through a microscopic incision. The Visian ICL™ provides a completely natural appearance, since it can’t be seen.
The other advantage is that the Visian ICL is made from a proprietary compound called collamer, which combines polymer plastic with collagen, a natural substance found in the human body. The collamer lens implant is safe and effective, and is approved by the FDA.
If you’d like to eliminate glasses and contact lenses from your life, contact Pacific Eye Specialists about the Staar Visian ICL today.
Intacs for Keratoconus and Corneal Ectasia
Intacs are thin transparent acrylic crescents that are surgically inserted into the periphery of the cornea. Intacs flatten the cornea, and reduce nearsightedness. Intacs are intended to be permanent but can be removed.
Intacs can be used to help patients with keratoconus and corneal ectasia. Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory progressive eye disease that affects the cornea. Patients with keratoconus experience near-sightedness and stigmatism.
Corneal ectasia is a progressive thinning and steepening of the cornea. Corneal esctasia has many causes. Rarely, corneal ectasia can occur following laser vision correction.
At PES, we offer advanced specialty contact lens treatment for our patients. This includes patients with Keratoconus, corneal transplants, and corneal dystrophies, as well as patients who are in need of the latest in bifocal and multi-focal contact lenses. Dr. Swift is one of the few doctors in the Bay Area certified for fitting the new Synergeyes bifocal contact lens, an exciting new option to improve the vision and comfort of bifocal wearers. For KERATOCONUS patients, new Synergeyes keratoconus designs offer patients a level of comfort never before available. See the website at Synergeyes.com.
Patients with keratoconus and corneal ectasia may not be able to achieve good vision with glasses or contact lenses. For these patients, Intacs may be a good surgical option to improve vision with glasses or contacts.
All patients with keratoconus or corneal ectasia should discuss their treatment options with our experienced ophthalmologists so that treatment results in improved visual acuity and an enhanced quality of life.
Laser Vision Correction and Refractive Surgery Links
For information about laser vision correction, we encourage you to visit these excellent sites on the web:
- www.eyesurgeryeducation.com can help you evaluate if laser vision correction is a good choice for you.
- www.personalbestvision.com/patients provides information about Wave-front technology and the VISX laser, one of the lasers used by the surgeons of Pacific Eye Specialists.
- www.isrs.org has a very informative section called understanding refractive surgery in the patients/public section.