Refractive Error and Surgery in Chicago Ridge, IL, Tinley Park, IL, and Munster, IN

Refractive eye surgery reduces the need for glasses or contacts, either by reshaping the cornea or replacing the lens inside the eye. Via detailed preoperative corneal mapping, the refractive specialists at Ticho Eye Associates create an individualized plan for your unique visual needs. Refractive surgery can be an incredibly rewarding decision; however, not everyone is an appropriate surgical candidate. At Ticho Eye Associates, we are very protective of your vision, so we begin with a thorough consultation to help determine if LASIK / PRK surgery is the best choice for you.

Ticho Eye Associates offers the following treatments for common refractive errors:

• Glasses, including “digital” and high-index lenses

• Contact lenses, including toric, gas-permeable, and specialty lenses

• Eye surgery: LASIK, PRK, and refractive lens exchange

For most people, corrective eyewear — glasses and contact lenses — is all that is needed to provide sharp, healthy vision. Depending on your unique refractive error, age, and overall eye health, minimally invasive surgery, such as LASIK or PRK, may reduce or eliminate the dependency on corrective lenses. Some patients may be appropriate candidates for refractive lens exchange (RLE).

A refractive eye surgery conducted at Ticho Eye Associates is a safe and valuable choice that likely eliminates the need for contacts or glasses and offers a long-term solution to existing vision issues. Benefits of LASIK, PRK, or a refractive lens exchange include:

• Treating and correcting myriad vision problems, including astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness
• Excellent success rates
• Improves overall ocular health
• Convenient and quick procedures with minimal pain
• Cost-effectiveness when compared to rounds of new glasses and contacts prescriptions and replacements
• Long-lasting, if not permanent, results that are noticeable immediately

Different techniques have evolved over the years to surgically treat refractive errors, the most common being LASIK and PRK. LASIK stands for laser-assisted in-situation keratomileusis and is perhaps the best-known of these techniques. High energy, short-pulse laser light bursts precisely cut a flap in the cornea (the transparent part of the eye on which contact lenses are placed) and then reshape the corneal “bed”. By altering the overall corneal shape, the focusing power of the cornea is modified to enhance vision. LASIK surgery is virtually painless, taking only about 15 minutes per eye to reduce or eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses.

The surgeons at Ticho Eye Associates offer PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), a refractive operation similar but often preferable to LASIK. PRK reshapes the corneal surface without creating a separate flap. PRK has been around longer than LASIK and may provide more stable results than LASIK. Many patients do not qualify for LASIK, due to thin corneas, very high myopia, and military or other occupational limitations. For these patients, PRK offers a safe and effective method of correcting myopia and astigmatism. PRK eliminates the risk of flap-related complications and reduces side effects such as glare and halos.

LASIK

Owing to the newest advancements in LASIK procedures, more and more people with refractive errors might now be great candidates for the treatment. This means that, even if you were told a long time ago that LASIK wasn’t an effective solution for you, it could be worthwhile to ask again. Only a trained ophthalmologist will be able to properly determine whether a patient is a good candidate for laser vision correction, but there are some general guidelines that apply to most patients: For one thing, patients should be a minimum of 18 years of age. In addition, it is necessary that the patient has sufficient corneal thickness. Plus, a few specific eye conditions or other medical concerns may affect a patient's suitability for LASIK, but other refractive surgeries, such as PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), may still be a potential option.

PRK

Typically, PRK is reserved for patients who want to have laser vision surgery but aren't ideal candidates for LASIK or LASEK. PRK might also be a better treatment for individuals with certain ocular diseases. It can also be a safer technique for women and men who are more likely to incur damage to the eye due to hazardous working environments or participating in certain recreational activities. Laser eye surgery patients have to be at least 18 years of age to make sure their eyes are completely matured, and they must have had a consistent glasses prescription for at least a year. To be able to find out whether PRK is a good treatment for every unique patient, we have to perform a complete eye evaluation and discuss any previous or current medical conditions.

How do I know which refractive error treatment I need?

During your consultation, we will conduct a thorough eye exam to determine which options are best to correct your vision. Dr. Ticho and his team will go over each treatment's pros and cons to help create the most effective treatment option for your needs. Some patients may benefit from a new pair of glasses. Other patients may opt for LASIK surgery or refractive lens exchange.

What are the most common refractive errors?

The most common refractive errors are myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and presbyopia (age-related vision loss).

How successful is LASIK surgery?

LASIK surgery has an impressive success rate of more than 95%. Some patients will have improved vision almost immediately; however, some may experience blurriness for about 24 hours after their procedure. Over one to two weeks, as the eyes heal, vision typically improves very noticeably.

How long does LASIK last?

The effect of LASIK surgery is permanent, but as the eyes age, the results can degrade over time. A majority of patients will have lifetime benefits, with about 10 – 20% of LASIK patients needing maintenance treatment.

Have you been experiencing blurry vision? It may be time to see an eye doctor to determine the underlying cause of your vision concerns. If a refractive error is detected, we can review all your options for treatment. We offer both surgical and nonsurgical therapies. Call Ticho Eye Associates in Chicago Ridge, IL, Tinley Park, IL, or Munster, IN today.