Lasik And Refractive Surgery Specialist

What is Refractive Eye Surgery?

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Laser eye surgery corrects vision problems that result from refractive error that is often corrected with glasses and contacts.  The surgeons at Rocky Mountain Eye Center may recommend LASIK if you have one of the following common vision problems:

• Nearsightedness (myopia): You can see objects near to you clearly, but objects that are far away seem blurry
• Farsightedness (hyperopia): You can see objects that are far away better than near, but both are often blurry
• Astigmatism:  A condition in the cornea or the lens that often causes blurred vision.  Astigmatism usually results from a steep cornea in one plane and flatter cornea in the opposite plane. This causes light to be bent differently as it enters the eye. It’s like having a cornea that’s shaped more like a football than a round basketball. 

Laser vision correction is an excellent alternative to wearing glasses or contacts for most patients.  Dr. Chad Nedrud at Rocky Mountain Eye Center performs a comprehensive eye exam to determine if you’re a good candidate for laser eye surgery. 

LASIK or Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis is the most recognized and most frequently performed elective refractive surgery in the United States.  Dr. Nedrud at Rocky Mountain Eye Center uses the latest laser technology to create the LASIK flap and to reshape the cornea. The laser portions of the procedure take only seconds to complete with the whole procedure taking approximately 15-20 minutes.

What are the Benefits of Refractive Eye Surgery?

For many, just the thought of seeing clearly without wearing glasses or contact lenses provides all the benefits they desire. No need to search for your glasses in the morning or use valuable time to clean and insert contacts. Just open your eyes and see.

Most patients who have LASIK don’t need corrective lenses as they go about their day. That’s because the procedure, when done skillfully by experts like the team at Rocky Mountain Eye Center, will give patients 20/20 or better vision a vast majority of the time.

Further, these benefits come with very few risks.  Patients sometimes have symptoms of dry eye, glare, and halos.  These symptoms are often more prominent at night. They are common early on after surgery but typically resolve quickly as the cornea heals from surgery.  

Why Would I Need Laser Eye Surgery?

If you’re relying on corrective lenses for clear vision, you’re undoubtedly well aware of the disadvantages you face. Eyeglasses are a hindrance outdoors from rain or fogging up -- or even braking. You’re also dealing with a lack of peripheral vision because the frames of your glasses often get in the way.

With contact lenses, you get back the peripheral vision you would forfeit with glasses, but you live with the time and expense of cleaning and caring for the contacts. Also, contact lenses bring a greater risk of infections and other eye health issues.

Is it any wonder, then, that first responders, pilots, athletes, construction workers, and others in the workforce benefit from the sharper vision that comes with LASIK surgery?

What Should I Expect from a LASIK Procedure?

Before your procedure, your doctor at Rocky Mountain Eye Center provides you with information on how to prepare for surgery. You should arrange to have an adult over age 18 wait for you during the procedure so they can sign your release and drive you home.

Your surgeon puts numbing drops in your eyes and gives you medication to promote relaxation. They use a cutting laser to make a small flap in your cornea on the surface of your eye.  The doctor then folds it back before reshaping your cornea with the treating laser.

The treating laser does a custom treatment that’s made just for your eye. The flap is then replaced and allowed to adhere without the need for stitches. 

On the day of surgery, you can see after LASIK better than when you walked in the door. Patients are able to read the clock on the wall and see the smiling faces of our staff, but it will often take up to 12-24 hours for vision to significantly improve.

What Types of Refractive Surgery are Available?

As medical technology has advanced over the years, new refractive surgery options have emerged. Some types, for instance, replace or support your natural lens rather than reshaping the cornea to improve your vision.

Along with LASIK, types of refractive surgery you might consider include:

• Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK): Predecessor to LASIK, it corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.  The procedure is done by removing the epithelium or skin on the surface of the eye before performing the laser correction
• Implantable contact lens (ICL) surgery: Lens implanted between your iris and natural lens to improve your vision
• Refractive lens exchange (RLE): Your eye's natural lens is replaced by an artificial intraocular lens to correct your refractive error, sharpen your focus, and reduce the need for bifocals

At Rocky Mountain Eye Center, refractive eye surgery is an outpatient procedure that’s performed in our state-of-the-art surgical center in Missoula.

Dr. Chad Nedrud performs refractive surgery at Rocky Mountain Eye Center. He is board certified in ophthalmology and fellowship trained in cornea and refractive surgery. Dr. Nedrud is highly skilled and has extensive experience having performed thousands of corrective procedures. He prides himself in taking time to help you make an informed decision about which refractive surgery best suits your circumstances and expectations

Schedule a consultation today at Rocky Mountain Eye Center to find out more about refractive eye surgery and what it can mean for your vision. Call the office or book your appointment online.