Simpson Eye Associates
Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve—the part of the eye that
carries the images we see to the brain. The optic nerve is made up
of many nerve fibers, like an electric
cable containing numerous wires. When damage to the optic nerve
fibers occurs, blind spots develop. These blind spots usually go
undetected until the optic nerve is
significantly damaged. If the entire nerve is destroyed, then
blindness results. Early detection and treatment by your
ophthalmologist are the keys to preventing optic nerve damage and
blindness from glaucoma. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in
the United States, especially for older people. Loss of sight from
glaucoma can often be prevented with early treatment. Your
ophthalmologist considers many kinds of information to determine
your risk for developing the disease.
Refractive surgery and laser vision correction are among the most
exciting medical developments of the past several decades. Laser
vision correction can now be used to
treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Using the
most advanced technology available today, we are able to reduce or
even eliminate the need for eye
glasses or contacts.
We believe in a conservative approach to refractive surgery and take
time with our patients "one-on-one" to discuss all questions and
concerns. The decision to have laser vision correction is an
important one and we believe in helping our patients to make an
informed decision. At Simpson Eye Associates, patients receive
expert care in an environment, with the individual in mind.
www.simpsoneye.com
730 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Suite 2B
Crystal Lake, Illinois
815.455.0212 Tel
815.455.4903 Fax
North Chicago LASIK
LASIK is an FDA approved procedure to correct nearsightedness
(myopia), astigmatism and farsightedness. With LASIK, it is
necessary to make a protective flap of the cornea with a special
instrument called a microkeratome. This portion of the procedure
lasts only a few seconds. The laser then reshapes the cornea in a
matter of seconds. The corneal flap is then replaced on the eye and
adheres within about 30 seconds with no need for stitches.
Prior to the procedure, numbing and dilating drops are applied to
the eye. There is little to no discomfort during and after the
procedure, with some patients experiencing a temporary scratchy
sensation the first day afterwards. The patient is sent home with
eye drops and protective goggles to prevent dryness, discomfort and
possible rubbing of the eye.
During LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis), an instrument called a
microkeratome is used to gently lift and fold back a thin flap of
tissue across the outer layer of the eye, to expose the cornea. The
Bausch & Lomb Technolas laser is then used to reshape the cornea.
This laser is extremely accurate and can remove a quarter of a
micron (only 1/200 the width of a human hair) of tissue at a time.
(A human hair is approximately 50 microns thick). After the laser is
used, the flap is folded back into position and reseals itself; no
sutures are needed. The procedure itself takes about 5 to 10 minutes
per eye.
www.mjlasikdoc.com
847.356.0700
300 N. Milwaukee Ave
Lake Villa, IL 60046
Future Vision Laser Center
LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis) has become one of the most
successful procedures to correct refractive errors, replacing
glasses and contact lenses. There are no precedents for the number
of procedures that are being performed Worldwide. Over one million
eyes are being treated this year alone. The rapid return of
functional vision, lack of discomfort, and the overall stability and
accuracy of the treatment have led to this astounding success. The
risk/benefit ratio for most patients exceeds that of contact lenses.
Although the FDA has determined the excimer laser vision correction
procedure as "safe and effective", there are still many critical
factors that must be considered in order for each patient to achieve
the best possible result. In LASIK, a thin flap of corneal tissue is
created and folded back to allow access to the underlying stromal
tissue (bed). With the stroma exposed, multiple 2mm pulses of cool
ultraviolet light are applied in a computer-controlled pattern
causing a photochemical reaction that evaporates a precise amount of
the tissue. This results in the front surface of the cornea being
reshaped similar to having a contact lens inside the cornea. With
the correction now in your cornea, the light rays entering your eye
are bent to focus correctly on the retina, improving vision.
Upon arrival at our facility, you will be asked to thoroughly read
and sign the surgical consent form. After completion of the
necessary paperwork, you will be taken to our
Pre-operative waiting room where you can relax and be "prepped" for
surgery. You'll be given drops and a Valium if you wish to calm you
and to help you sleep after the
procedure. From here you will be directed to the laser suite.
Anesthetic eye drops are used immediately prior to surgery to numb
the eye. Using a special instrument, the
eyelid is held open so you cannot blink during the laser procedure.
The first step of the procedure involves creating the corneal flap.
A ring is positioned around the colored part of your eye and a
vacuum is applied to secure this ring. This
pressure will dim the vision temporarily as blood flow is slowed to
the retina for the few seconds it takes to make your flap. This
brief dimming means you will not see the
device come over your eye. The ring is removed and the flap is
folded back to expose the stroma. The flap is then measured by the
DGH Ultrasound machine to confirm its
thickness. Based on these measurements, being within the safe and
expected limits, we can now proceed to treat your eye with
confidence that we will not be over-thinning
your cornea. This step is left out of most center's care and is in
our estimate critical in many cases. Read Dr. Foulkes article
regarding this topic on the Ocular Surgary
News site (article is from May 1, 2002). Once the bed has been shown
to be smooth and the flap out of the way, a pupil tracking system is
turned on to follow any
movement of your eye during the brief time you are being lasered.
You will be asked to look up at a red light. It is important to note
that the Bausch and Lomb laser with it's large treatment zones
achieved better results than other lasers without the tracker system
and is simply reassuring to know it is working on our current
version of this
wonderful laser.
www.glassesfree.com
40 South Clay
Suite 9 West
Hinsdale, IL 60521
Toll Free: 877-EYES-2CU or 877-393-7228
Phone: (630) 920-5880
Fax: (630) 920-8533
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