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Laser Vision Correction is a term that includes several laser surgical procedures designed to eliminate or reduce the need for glasses. It includes LASIK, which is presently the most popular procedure, as well as PRK and Epi-Lasik. These laser procedures are actually part of a larger surgical category known as “Refractive Surgery”. In addition to the laser procedures, there is AK (Astigmatic Keratectomy), CK, corneal rings and refractive lensectomy. The number of procedures increases each year, and it is part of our job to advise you on which procedure will best fit your visual needs. This individual patient education is part of the service we provide during our pre-operative evaluation. What We Do For You Your pre-operative evaluation is more than just a thorough eye exam. Your individual eye characteristics, such as thinner-than-normal corneas or irregularly-shaped corneas, may mean we refer you for a particular procedure that works well with that characteristic. Because the new procedures evolve so rapidly, the patient qualifications also change rapidly. A poor candidate last year may be able to have a new procedure this year. We will discuss the issue and recommend a procedure, and maybe a specific surgeon, that will maximize your surgical results. We also provide on-going post-operative care, since it is important to continue to monitor your retinal and corneal health even after surgery. Our Refractive Surgeons Our office works with a number of refractive surgeons. This is important because some surgeons have far more experience in certain procedures than others. Our office always strives to utilize highly experienced surgeons who tend to specialize in certain procedures. As of July 2006, Dr. Stanley Teplick of Teplick Custom Vision is performing Laser Vision Correction at Riverbend Eyecare on a monthly basis. Dr. Teplick is widely regarded as one of the leading refractive surgeons in the Pacific Northwest, and the integration of Teplick Custom Vision into the Riverbend Eyecare Team allows our patients to have the procedure performed in a comfortable and familiar setting. Links: Discount Surgery We are very aware of the presence of “discount”
surgery centers that offer “bargain” surgery. Dr. Guiley visited
one of the Canadian centers several years ago in an effort to determine
if they provided quality care. While the facility was impressive
the results were not. Discount surgery centers absolutely have to
stay busy to make their payroll. This means they are more likely
to do a procedure on a marginal or poor surgical candidate than
a conventional surgery center. The problem is not in the facility,
but in the decision-making process. Very few patients would elect
to have “discount” brain surgery, and we advise the same cautions
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