DR DHALIWAL IS EXCITED TO OFFER THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN LASER VISION CORRECTION
WHAT IS THE CONTOURA® VISION TREATMENT?
Contoura® Vision is a topography guided vision correction treatment. It is the only treatment to precisely map 22,000 elevation points of the cornea to create a customized treatment unique to your vision correction. Irregular elevation points on the eye can disrupt the light entering your eye and prevent you from achieving optimal vision. These maps allow Contoura® Vision to create a customized vision correction treatment unique to your eye.
HOW DOES CONTOURA® VISION COMPARE TO OTHER VISION CORRECTION TREATMENTS AVAILABLE?
Many vision correction treatments just treat your spectacle prescription. Contoura® Vision technology allows for the vision correction to be personalized, based on individualized mapping the contours (like a fingerprint) of your eye. The results of the FDA Clinical Trials have shown that this personalized treatment provides excellent visual outcomes, *with 93% of the patients achieving 20/20 vision or better.
Who Is Contoura For?
Contoura is for almost anyone who is thinking about getting LASIK treatment. More specifically, because of the precision mapping that topography-guided LASIK treatment offers, it is especially helpful to patients who have nearsightedness with or without astigmatism.
This is because no two astigmatism patterns are the same and the astounding data that Contoura provides allows the procedure to be handled with ease. The topography-guided maps that Contoura creates, enables Dr. Dhaliwal to offer a more effective LASIK experience. Contoura allows for accurate and personalized treatment to bring great vision to more people than ever before.
What Are The Benefits of Contoura?
The precision and personalization of topography-guided LASIK allow Contoura to be conducted with more accuracy and individuality. With the information gathered from the 22,000 elevation points, an individualized, custom profile is crafted to ensure the optimum vision for our patients. Other “guided” LASIK procedures also measure points around the cornea, but instead of measuring 22,000 points of elevation like Contoura does, others only measure around 200 points of curvature.
Because of the amount of accurate information and customization, our patients who opt for Contoura Vision experience a significantly reduced risk of encountering light sensitivity, halos, or glare in their exciting post-procedure lives. After Contoura, patients are able to get out and enjoy the world around them without glasses!
Ready to find out if you’re a good candidate for Contoura? Schedule your consultation with Jasmeet Dhaliwal M.D. today
FAQ Contoura
What is Contoura guided all laser LASIK?
Contoura® Vision, also known as topography-guided LASIK, is the latest FDA approved evolution in advanced custom LASIK technology. This laser vision correction technique is designed to enhance the results of LASIK. No other LASIK procedure available in the U.S. is this personalized and precise.
Is Contoura better than LASIK?
While the conventional LASIK surgery maps only 200 points on the cornea, the Contoura vision surgery maps 22000 points on cornea. Contoura vision surgery has fewer complications as compared to conventional LASIK surgery. The damage to the tissue is relatively less and has faster healing time.
Is Contoura vision the best?
Contoura Vision– It has been designed to correct almost all types of Refractive Errors – Myopia (Nearsightedness), Hyperopia (Farsightedness) & Astigmatism (Cylindrical Spectacle Prescription) A cylindrical spectacle power up to 3D can be corrected by Contoura Vision. Dr. Dhaliwal will determine the most advanced, personal way to use Contoura for your best visual outcome.
Who is eligible for Contoura vision?
The prerequisite criteria to undergo Contoura Vision Lasik Surgery are: You must be an adult (18+ years) You must have a stable eyewear prescription. No pre-existing corneal issues, other than astigmatism up to 3D (diopters) cylinder. You may also have Contoura if you do not have astigmatism. When in doubt schedule a free Lasik consult. Click Here
Are there any side effects of Contoura Vision?
Although Contoura is FDA approved and safe all procedures have risks and benefits. These side effects include, but are not limited to dry eyes, inflammation, infection, glare, halos, ghosting of images, over or under correction, corneal haze and blurred vision.
LASIK Surgery
LASIK Surgery in Chicago, IL
A correction in the Contoura Vision Lasik Surgery:
The prerequisite criteria to undergo Contoura Vision Lasik Surgery are: You must be an adult (18+ years) You must have a stable eyewear prescription. You must have NO MORE than 3 diopters of astigmatism.
Prior to LASIK surgery, your eye doctor will create a computer-generated map of the surface of your eye. This information is calibrated into the laser used for the surgery. After anesthetizing the eye with eye drops, the surgeon then uses a microsurgical instrument to create a corneal flap. An excimer laser directs a cool beam of light onto the surface under the flap in order to precisely and gently reshape the eye. The flap is put back in place, completing the brief surgery (usually five minutes or less per eye). Patients are usually back to their normal activity level within 24 hours.
Are You A Candidate For LASIK Surgery?
Good candidates for LASIK are at least 18 years of age, in generally good health, with no eye diseases (such as cataracts or glaucoma) or certain health problems (such as uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune disease). Candidates must also have a stable glasses prescription for at least one year. Because of hormonal shifts, pregnant or nursing women are not eligible for at least two menstrual cycles after nursing has been discontinued.
Can Both Eyes Be Done With LASIK at Once?
Yes, in fact we suggest that you have both eyes done at once if you are having LASIK because the healing is fairly rapid, and it avoids the visual imbalance.
When is LASIK Appropriate?
If a patient has a history of vision impairment that has been treated with corrective lenses, and they are looking for a more permanent solution, LASIK is likely an appropriate treatment option. LASIK has been traditionally used to treat mild to moderate cases of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The latest LASIK technology now makes it possible to treat high degrees of nearsightedness and farsightedness as well.
What Can Lasik NOT do?
LASIK is not effective in treating presbyopia, the loss of ability to focus on close-up tasks such as reading, which affects most people in their 40s or 50s. LASIK is also not an appropriate treatment for vision loss resulting from eye disease or injury. In these cases, Dr. Dhaliwal can assess the situation and may recommend alternative treatments.
What Makes You a LASIK Candidate?
At Chicagoland Eye Consultants ™, we always perform an in-depth examination to make absolutely certain that LASIK is an appropriate solution.
Generally speaking, LASIK candidates should:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have the appropriate refractive error and sufficient corneal thickness
- Have an eye prescription that has remained stable for at least two years
- Be free of any diseases that may increase the risks of LASIK or impede the healing process
- Be aware of the potential risks and benefits of LASIK
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) Laser Surgery
PRK is another commonly used form of laser correction surgery. No scalpels are used nor are any incisions made in this procedure. PRK is often used when the patient does not have enough corneal thickness for LASIK. Once again, your eye doctor prepares a detailed map of your eyes' surface which is calibrated to the excimer laser. After anesthetizing the eye with eye drops, the surgeon gently removes the eye's protective first layer of cells (epithelium) with the excimer laser and carefully reshapes the area with computer-controlled pulses of cool laser light. Deeper cell layers remain virtually untouched and the epithelial layer regenerates itself in days. Post-operatively, PRK patients are placed on antibiotic drops and anti-inflammatory agents to reduce swelling and promote comfort. Patients are also fitted with a bandage contact lens for the first two or three days until the epithelium is healed. To complete the healing process, PRK patients use steroid anti-inflammatory drops for about two months after the procedure.
The decision to undergo LASIK surgery is one that will impact your life forever. At Chicagoland Eye Consultants, we know how important it is to wake up each morning to clear vision. Because improved eyesight means more than seeing your best, it means being your best.
What’s the Difference Between PRK and LASIK?
PRK vs. LASIK
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) are both laser surgery techniques used to help improve eyesight. PRK has been around longer, but both are still widely used today.
PRK and LASIK are both used to modify the cornea of your eye. The cornea is made up of five thin, transparent layers of tissue over the front of your eye that bend (or refract) and focus light to help you see.
PRK and LASIK each use different methods to help correct your vision by reshaping cornea tissue.
With PRK, your eye surgeon takes away the top layer of the cornea, known as the epithelium. Your surgeon then uses lasers to reshape the other layers of the cornea and fix any irregular curvature in your eye.
With LASIK, your eye surgeon uses lasers or a tiny blade to create a small flap in your cornea. This flap is raised up, and your surgeon then uses lasers to reshape the cornea. The flap is lowered back down after the surgery is complete, and the cornea repairs itself over the next few months.
Either technique can be used to help resolve eye issues related to:
- nearsightedness (myopia): inability to see distant objects clearly
- farsightedness (hyperopia): inability to see close objects clearly
- astigmatism: an irregular eye shape that causes blurry vision
Read on to learn more about the similarities and differences of these procedures, and which one may be right for you.
The two procedures are similar in that they both reshape irregular cornea tissue using lasers or tiny blades.
But they differ in some crucial ways:
- In PRK, part of the top layer of cornea tissue is removed.
- In LASIK, a flap is created to allow an opening to the tissues below, and the flap is closed again once the procedure’s done.
What happens during PRK?
- You’re given numbing drops so that you don’t feel any pain during the surgery. You may also receive medication to help you relax.
- The top layer of cornea tissue, the epithelium, is fully removed. This takes about 30 seconds.
- An extremely precise surgical tool, called an excimer laser, is used to fix any irregularities in the deeper corneal tissue layers. This also takes about 30-60 seconds.
- A special bandage that’s similar to a contact lens is put on top of the cornea to help the tissues beneath heal.
PRK recovery
Following PRK, you’ll have a small, contact-like bandage over your eye that may cause some irritation and sensitivity to light for a few days as your epithelium heals. Your vision will be a little blurry until the bandage is removed after about a week.
Your doctor will prescribe lubricating or medicated eye drops to help keep your eye moist as it heals. You may also get some medications to help relieve pain and discomfort.
Your vision will be noticeably better right after surgery, but it may worsen a bit until your eye fully heals. Your doctor may instruct you not to drive until your vision has normalized.
The complete healing process lasts about a month. Your vision will slowly get better each day, and you’ll see your doctor regularly for checkups until your eye is fully healed.
LASIK recovery
You’ll probably see much more clearly right after LASIK than you could before, even without glasses or contacts. You may even have close to perfect vision the day after your surgery.
You won’t experience much pain or discomfort as your eye heals. In some cases, you may feel some burning in your eyes for a few hours after the surgery, but it shouldn’t last long.
Your doctor will give you some lubricating or medicated eye drops to take care of any irritation, which may last for a few days.
You should be fully recovered within a few days following your procedure.
Is one procedure more effective than the other?
Both techniques are equally effective in permanently correcting your vision. The main difference is the recovery time.
LASIK takes a few days or less to see clearly while PRK takes about a month. The final results won’t differ between the two if the procedure is done properly by a licensed, experienced surgeon.
Overall, PRK is considered to be safer and more effective in the long term because it doesn’t leave a flap in your cornea. The flap left behind by LASIK can be subject to greater damage or complications if your eye is injured.
What are the risks?
Both procedures have some risks.
LASIK may be considered a little riskier because of the additional step needed to create a flap in the cornea.
Possible risks of these procedures include:
- Eye dryness. LASIK, especially, can make you produce fewer tears for about six months after surgery. This ⦁ dryness can sometimes be permanent.
- Visual changes or disturbances, including glares from bright lights or reflections off objects, halos around lights, or seeing double. You might also not be able to see well at night. This often goes away after a few weeks, but can become permanent. Talk to your doctor if these symptoms don’t fade after about a month.
- Undercorrection. Your vision may not seem that much clearer if your surgeon didn’t remove enough corneal tissue, especially if the surgery was done to correct nearsightedness. If you’re not satisfied with your results, your doctor may recommend a follow-up surgery to get you the results you want.
- Visual distortion. Your surgeon may remove more corneal tissue than necessary, which can cause distortions to your vision known as ectasia. This can make your cornea too weak and make your eye bulge from pressure inside the eye. Ectasia needs to be resolved to prevent possible vision loss.
- Astigmatism. Your eye curvature can change if corneal tissue isn’t removed evenly. If this happens, you may need a follow-up surgery, or need to wear glasses or contacts for full correction of your vision.
- LASIK flap complications. Issues with the corneal flap made during LASIK can lead to infections or producing too many tears. Your epithelium can also heal irregularly beneath the flap, leading to visual distortion or discomfort.
- Permanent vision loss. As with any eye surgery, there’s a tiny risk of damage or complications that lead to partial or total loss of your vision. Your vision may seem a little more cloudy or blurry than before, even if you can see better.
CAN LASIK BE SUCCESSFUL AFTER 40?
As more people learn about the benefits and overwhelming success of LASIK surgery, more are interested in learning if they are candidates for the procedure. While LASIK can improve common vision refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and oval curvature (astigmatism), it cannot address all forms of vision impairment and may not be right for all patients. Many patients have concerns whether age will affect their candidacy for LASIK surgery. Patients who are aged 40 or older are likely to question whether LASIK will still work for them. While there are additional considerations that must be taken into account regarding LASIK and patients over 40, for many of our Chicago patients, LASIK after 40 can still be a success.
Special Considerations for LASIK after 40
LASIK surgery achieves improved vison for patients by changing the shape of the cornea in order to address imperfections that lead to blurry vision. The best results of LASIK surgery will be achieved when patients’ eyes are stable and when their eye prescription has not changed within at least the past two years. Special considerations must be taken in patients over 40 because this is a time in which the eyes are likely to begin to change once again. A vision problem that is commonly experienced by patients aged 40 and older is presbyopia, commonly referred to as reading vision and age-related farsightedness. For patients who develop this condition, the close-up vision that is used for reading, viewing photos, or working on the computer, becomes blurred. This is caused by a gradual loss of flexibility of the lens of the eye. Although patients may still address other vision problems through LASIK surgery, they will likely still require low-strength prescription reading glasses due to presbyopia. Patients should be very realistic regarding what the results of LASIK surgery may be when the procedure is performed after 40.
Monovision
One technique that is likely to be considered for patients over 40 who are contemplating LASIK surgery is monovision. This procedure allows our laser eye surgeons to correct each eye separately, with one eye being treated to improve distance vision (usually the dominant eye) and the other eye being treated to improve up-close vision. While this slightly compromises both the distance and near vision, it does allow patients to improve both types of vision with less of a dependency on prescription lenses. For instance, a patient over 40 who corrects only distance vision through LASIK surgery would likely have to wear reading glasses for any type of near vision (reading, putting on make-up, watching TV, etc.), while those who opt for the monovision technique would likely only require reading glasses for long periods of reading or computer work (which would likely tire out the eyes). Monovision can be an excellent option for patients over 40 who are looking to improve vision and reduce prescriptive eyewear dependency through LASIK surgery.
For more information on LASIK Surgery in the Chicago area call Chicagoland Eye Consultants at (773) 775-9755 today!