PRK Eye Surgery Perth

A lot of adults in their early to mid-40s will start to experience difficulties with their near vision. Even those with perfect vision their entire lives will notice a change in their reading vision. This is due to the natural aging of the lens called presbyopia.

Until recently, the only way to correct presbyopia was with glasses or contacts: reading glasses, bifocal glasses or “Monovision” contact lenses (lenses that correct one eye for distance vision, and one eye for near vision). Optilase offers Monovision laser surgery.

Monovision laser surgery corrects one eye for distance vision and one eye for near vision. In Monovision, the distance eye will do most of the work when looking at objects in the distance such as when driving or watching TV, and the near-vision eye will do most of the work when looking at close objects like a computer screen or a book. Yet, your brain selects the correct eye automatically and seamlessly switches between the two.

Monovision correction is very similar to stereo surround sound. Audio is transmitted in right and left channels and heard through respective ears yet you do not notice the separation. You hear one unified audio stream without thinking about which ear to use.

To determine if you will be comfortable with monovision correction, Dr. Ward will simulate the procedure in-office with a contact lens. Most patients will know immediately if they can adapt to the procedure. Patients can simulate the monovision for a few days with these lenses until they are confident in their decision.

Patients who do not adapt well to the Monovision trial can still consider laser vision correction to correct distance vision in both eyes. If you are under the age of 45, reading glasses usually are not necessary after the procedure.

Based on your lifestyle, activities and interests, Dr. Ward can help determine what form of vision correction will best reach your vision goals. At Optilase, we offer surgical solutions to presbyopia that can free you completely from the need for glasses or contacts. Monovision laser eye surgery is one of these solutions. Please note not everyone is suitable and careful pre-op evaluation is needed.

At Optilase, the entire procedure is performed using a state-of-the-art Wavelight ® EX500 excimer laser, so there is no need for scalpels, stitches or needles! The actual surgical time is usually around 30 seconds per eye. Optilase’s procedure steps are:

STEP ONE: CUSTOMIZED MEASUREMENTS

For your PRK eye surgery, Dr Ward begins by using digital Wavefront technology to thoroughly scan and map the surface of your eye.

STEP TWO: PREPARING THE EYE FOR SURGERY

The outmost layer of cells on the surface of the eye is carefully removed, preparing the entire cornea for PRK laser eye surgery. The thin layer of epithelial cells, which are removed during your procedure, will grow back as part of your healing process. Contact lenses will be used to protect your eyes while they are healing.

STEP THREE: WAVEFRONT-GUIDED VISION CORRECTION

Using the Wavelight EX500 laser, the surgery is performed usually in a short period, 20 to 30 seconds. With PRK, the surface layer heals over two to three days, following which vision will rapidly improve, and will continue to improve over the following thirty days.

Myopia (Short-sighted): the laser is used to flatten the cornea to allow the light to focus on the retina rather than in front of it.

Hyperopia
(long-sighted): the cornea is made steeper to allow the light to focus on the retina rather than in front of it.

Astigmatism: the light focuses at varying points as the cornea is not spherical. The laser is used to correct the asymmetry of the cornea.

For many people with glasses or contact lenses, laser eye surgery is fast becoming an appealing treatment for improved vision. That is until they see the price.

Optilase believes that laser eye surgery should be made accessible to those who need it. As such, we aim to be one of the most competitively priced laser vision correction centres in Australia, quoting an all-inclusive price for laser vision correction.

The cost of PRK laser vision correction at Optilase is $1,750 per eye. We accept all private health funds. A very limited number of health funds will offer cover for PRK laser surgery. For patients living within the Peel Health Campus catchment area (Mandurah and surrounding areas), medicare funded surgery is available for cataract or squint surgery only.

Optilase offers all prospective laser eye surgery patients a free consultation appointment. Following your consultation, the team will discuss with you the best treatment options.

Please contact Optilase today if you have any questions.