Although glasses and contact lenses have made great advancements over the years in terms of style and comfort, many people who sport glasses or place contacts in their eyes imagine what it would be like to wake up and see clearly without any hassle. Now with LASIK surgery, this dream can become a reality. If you would like to improve your vision through LASIK, Dr. Patel at the Witchita Vision Institute in Witchita, Kansas, can help you do just that.
What Is LASIK?
Despite familiarity with the term, many people are unaware that LASIK actually stands for laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis. It can be used to treat myopia, commonly referred to as nearsightedness, hyperopia, which is usually termed farsightedness, and astigmatism. Most patients notice an immediate improvement in vision following the surgery, often no longer needing glasses or contacts at all. LASIK has become so common, in fact, that nearly 30 million people around the world have benefited from this procedure.
Which Type of LASIK Is Best?
For many years, eye surgery was performed using the microkeratome blade, and for some patients, that is still the preferred option. Patients with mild to moderate prescriptions with regular corneas may choose this method, especially if finances are an issue.
Currently, however, many patients and their doctors opt for blade-free surgery. This bladeless approach to improving vision requires the use of an IntraLase femtosecond laser in order to create a flap in the corneal tissue. Because this procedure enables customization of the corneal flaps, all patients, but especially those with thin, flat, or steep corneas benefit from this type of treatment.
In fact, more patients who had undergone bladeless surgery achieved 20/20 vision and had better experiences with night and low-light vision. Those patients who had microkeratome surgery in one eye and IntraLase in the other reported by a three to one margin that they preferred the vision in the one that used IntraLase. Studies have shown that better flap adherence, reduced dryness, and better vision were all reported.
How to Determine if You Are a Candidate
In order to be eligible for this procedure, you must meet certain criteria. First, you must be at least 18 years of age or older, since it is critical that you have a stable prescription. Otherwise, the refractive error may change. You must also be free of any eye injury or infection, and you should not be suffering from glaucoma or cataracts.
In addition, your immune system cannot be compromised if you are intending to undergo this type of surgery. This means that you should not struggle with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or fibromyalgia. Women who are pregnant or nursing should wait to have surgery at least six weeks after giving birth and six weeks after concluding breastfeeding. Finally, certain medications may be problematic, so Dr. Patel will discuss your medical history with you prior to giving you the go-ahead for LASIK.
The Consultation
Once you have determined that you meet the requirements, scheduling a free consultation with Dr. Patel would be the next step on your path to better vision. In addition to getting your complete medical history, Dr. Patel will examine your eyes and take measurements. One of the most important things that she will be looking for is corneal thickness since a certain amount of thickness is necessary in order to retain the strength and shape of the cornea after surgery.
Dr. Patel will also discuss your vision goals at this time. Although most people desire similar vision in both eyes, others, for example, may consider monovision, in which one eye is corrected for nearsightedness and the other for farsightedness. This is a more common procedure for people in their 40s or 50s who want to achieve quality vision without having to wear reading glasses. Dr. Patel wants to ensure that you are getting the procedure that best meets your needs.
Finally, if you are a serviceman or woman in the United States military or employed by NASA and would like to see an improvement in your vision, you might like to discuss custom IntraLase with Dr. Patel. By using a computer that creates an individual blueprint of each eye, a plan is created for your custom laser treatment. All service personnel in NASA and the military all allowed to have this type of surgery.
Prior to the Procedure
If you are approved for surgery, there is little you need to do ahead of time. Because your vision will not be perfect immediately following the procedure, you will need to make arrangements for someone to drive you home. If you wear contacts, you will be asked to stop wearing them about a week or so prior to your treatment since contacts change the shape of your cornea, and clearly, this is an impediment to successful surgery.
LASIK Treatment Session
Pre-Surgery Preparation
When you arrive for your scheduled treatment session, Dr. Patel will aim to make you as comfortable as possible prior to surgery. It is recommended that you wear comfortable clothes for the procedure and arrive wearing no makeup or jewelry. You will be given medication to relieve any anxiety, and you will be able to relax and let the medication take effect before heading to the laser suite.
Initial Stages
As soon as you are brought in to the laser suite, you will lie down on the bed, and you will be administered a topical anesthetic which helps to numb your eyes. After that, your eyelids and the eye area will be cleaned. Dr. Patel will be sure to explain each step of the procedure along the way. In this way, you will be better informed and also more confident and reassured.
Once Dr. Patel has positioned you under the laser, an eyelid holder known as a speculum will be placed between your eyelids. This is to ensure that your eyelids remain open and that they do not blink; this is one of the most common anxieties that patients have about the surgery, but it is really not a concern at all due to the speculum.
Next, a suction ring is placed on the eye. This device lifts and flattens the cornea. It also helps to prevent the eye from moving. Patients typically find that the combination of the eyelid holder and the suction ring causes pressure but no pain. At this point, you will be ready for the procedure itself.
Surgical Procedure
Depending on the type of surgery that you are having, Dr. Patel will take either a microkeratome or an IntraLase femtosecond laser (for bladeless surgery) to create a small, hinged flap of very thin corneal tissue. She will then lift and fold the flap back. An excimer laser that is programmed with your eyes’ specific measurements is then placed above your eye.
As you look at a fixation light, or target light, Dr. Patel will use the laser to sculpt and reshape the cornea to its desired curvature. During this time, you may hear a clicking noise or notice a slight order; both of these are completely normal and expected. Finally, Dr. Patel will then reposition the flap that was previously folded back. The entire length of the procedure is about 10 minutes for each eye from start to finish.
Immediately After Your Procedure
Immediately after your procedure, you will notice that your vision is already improved, although it may still be a bit foggy. You will be led to the recovery room to relax until your driver is ready to escort you home. Once home, you will be instructed to sleep as much as possible since that will enhance the healing process.
Because rubbing your eyes may damage the healing cornea, you will need to refrain from doing so. Goggles that are specially designed to stay in place while lying down can help protect your eyes from being rubbed inadvertently while you sleep.
Follow-Up Care
Over time, the eye will heal itself. In order to prevent infection, inflammation, and dryness, Dr. Patel will prescribe eye drops for you that will treat those potential conditions. You will already have been instructed to obtain those prior to your procedure, and you will be administering these to yourself several times per day. In order to prevent infection, you will have to wait about a week before wearing eye makeup. Purchasing brand-new cosmetics for the eyes is also recommended.
You should be able to drive yourself to your follow-up appointment with Dr. Patel the next day. She will examine your eyes and discuss with you when you can resume strenuous physical activity. You should be able to return to work in a day or two. It is also recommended that you avoid bright sunlight for several days following treatment, and special sunglasses can be provided for this purpose.
New Vision
Although results may vary somewhat, most patients find that their vision is much improved following surgery. Most people achieve 20/20 vision, and nearly all acquire 20/40 vision. Patients typically find that their vision stabilizes within a period of three to six months.
Dr. Patel will be able to easily track your progress since you will have regular follow-up appointments for several months after your procedure. For those patients who are in their 40s or 50s, reading glasses will still be required unless they have had the procedure for monovision.
An Improved Outlook
Because so many people desire an active lifestyle that is free from the encumbrances of glasses or contacts, LASIK surgery has become an increasingly popular option over the past years. Furthermore, as technology has continued to advance, new developments have made this treatment easier and more accessible along with constantly improving results. Once you have decided to explore the possibility of improved vision, you can take that next step to determine your eligibility.
By calling to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Patel, you can review your options for the surgical procedure. If it is decided that you meet the candidacy criteria, you can then determine which sort of treatment is best for you–microkeratome or bladeless. Remember that the procedure itself is quite short, taking only about 10 minutes per eye, leaving you with improved sight by the time your friend or family member drives you home that same day!
With a follow-up regimen that consists mainly of eye drops and avoiding rubbing your eyes, you will soon be able to lead a more active lifestyle. As your eyesight stabilizes over three to six months, you will begin to fully appreciate the freedom of excellent vision. If you are ready to ditch your glasses or contacts, call Dr. Patel at the Witchita Vision Institute in Witchita, Kansas and get ready to see the world in a whole new light.
I Can See Clearly Now
by Don Burrows
Category: cataract surgeryDr. Patel saved my wife’s vision and mine too. I now live 770 miles from her office and would still make the trip, even if it required a cross-country trip.
I highly recommend Dr. Patel
by Jim Guhl
Category: cataract surgeryDr. Patel is a physician whose sincere goal is to improve the quality of life for her patients. When I first became a patient under Dr. Patel’s care, I was diagnosed with cataracts in both of my eyes; dry eye syndrome; and astigmatism. Previous records from my Lasik surgery, which occurred 17 years ago, were no longer available. The Lasik surgery documentation was important in determining the exact corrections that now needed to be made to properly correct my astigmatism. Dr. Patel wisely recommended I postpone the cataract removal and astigmatism correction procedure, until she received newly developed diagnostic equipment. This newly developed technology would provide her with the most accurate metrics possible. New specialized lens implants were also becoming available, which would correct my astigmatism. Dr. Patel explained my chances for a successful outcome would be significantly increased if I would be patient and wait a little longer. Dr. Patel is truly a physician with high integrity and would never perform surgery until she knew it was the right time. She truly cares about providing her patients with the best care she can. Dr. Patel successfully treated my dry eye symptoms with a regiment of eye drops, cleansing techniques and vitamins, which prevented me from requiring more extensive - and more expensive treatment. Prior to the surgery on my right eye, she provided me with sample eye drops from her office and coupons for the eye drops I would need to purchase after my surgery. She did all she could to reduce my expenses. During preparations for right eye surgery, Dr. Patel spent quality time with me explaining the results of my pre-surgery testing and asking questions to determine my vision goals. One of my desires was to once again see the front sight on a pistol. I thoroughly enjoyed going to the firing range, but due to the cataract in my right eye I could no longer see the sights, on my pistol. Although the cataract in my left eye was not as bad yet – I was also experiencing difficulty seeing and firing left handed. Using a blue gun (authentic plastic replica of a Sig P229 pistol), Dr. Patel took additional measurements which she used in determining the correct lens to implant, during my surgery. My right eye surgery took place on November 1, 2017. Two days after the surgery, I happened to glance at my mobile phone and for the first time in 10 years or more, I could read the information on the screen without glasses. I pulled the Sig out of its case and – wow! – The sight picture was there clear as a bell. So the right eye cataract is gone along with the rainbow halos around cars at night and the astigmatism has been corrected better than I dreamed possible. Quality of life restored! The process included the latest diagnostic equipment; the newest technology in an intraocular lens implant; and the use of a laser surgery technique performed by Dr. Patel. Sadly, insurance does not cover much of the cost for the process that produces the optimal results. When it comes to the long term correction of your vision and significant increase in the quality of life it is well worth the investment. Dr. Patel is a very accomplished and highly competent physician and surgeon. I will be forever grateful to her for restoring my vision. I highly recommend Dr. Patel. Jim Guhl Wichita, KS November 13, 2017
In Good Hands
by Luke F.
Category: lasik surgeryTalk about a life changing surgery!!! From the consultation to the surgery I knew I was in good hands. I would recommend WVI to anyone who is considering LASIK. Thanks WVI!
Life Changing!
by Ashley J.
Category: lasik surgeryI love Dr. Patel! After having my dreams crushed at another place when they told me I wasn't a candidate, I went to Dr Patel for a lasik consultation. She is very thorough and gave me information about my eyes that no doctor in almost 20 years has told me. A week ago I had Lasik and it has been life changing! I couldn't be happier and I'm so glad I chose Dr Patel. She truly cares about her patients and her passion shows. The wait time can be very long, but if you are prepared for that ahead of time, you won't be disappointed once you see the doctor. I'm recommending WVI to everyone I know. She is now the only doctor I trust for my eyes.
Impressed with Dr. Patel and Staff
by William D.
Category: cataract surgeryI first saw Dr. Patel about 6 years ago when my left eye wandered to the left side and stayed there. She sent me to the Dean McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma City for further evaluation. No reason was ever found as to why it did that but it corrected itself after about two months. Since then I have been seeing Dr. Patel regularly. I damaged the left eye in an accident and had to have a vitrectomy performed. She referred me to another specialist Dr. Paul Weishaar and that outcome was also great. The eye did develop a cataract and she performed that surgery a few months ago and suggested a plan for treating dry eyes. It was outstanding and since wearing glasses for over 50 years, I now just wear sunglasses. Simply amazing. Dr. Patel and her staff are the greatest and they know other great professionals if the need arises. They also do charity work and they are all a total blessing to me. I would not even consider going anywhere else. Just gotta love them.
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