Refractive Surgery
Various scans will need to be performed in order to determine what technique of corrective surgery the patient will be suitable for. Refractive surgery techniques include: iLASIK, Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL).
iLASIK
iLASIK surgery at Sandhurst Eye Centre is performed using the latest technology. The iTrace surgical design software suite is a customized wave scan providing a blueprint of each eye to identify numerous reference points in the eye resulting in a customized treatment plan for more accurate results.
During this procedure the eyes are anaesthetized and a thin corneal flap is created by the IntraLase. The second pulsar solid state laser then corrects the exposed cornea bed to obtain the desired visual correction. The corneal flap is then re positioned to heal naturally.
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
PRK is suggested for patients who have thin corneas and are not suitable candidates for iLASIK. Patients requiring this technique will also need to be captured on the iTrace surgical design software suite.
When the cornea is thin a corneal flap cannot be created and thus in the case of PRK the corneal epithelium is removed with a special brush. Patients who undergo PRK have a slower healing time.
Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL)
The ICL can be thought of as a permanent contact lens. The ICL is biocompatible and implanted within the eye between the iris and crystalline lens. This lens is not visible to patients and observers. The ICL can be removed or replaced at the surgeons discretion without injury to the eye.
Myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism can be treated with an ICL. Patients with dry eyes, thin corneas and who are not suitable for laser correction are possible candidates for ICL’S.