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LASIK Alternatives

Not a Candidate for LASIK?

Have you been told in the past that you are not a candidate for LASIK Laser Vision Correction? With the advancements in vision correction technology, you may now be a candidate! There are also many other vision correction options that are available at the Jacksonville Eye Center for those who cannot have LASIK or prefer another vision correction method. Click the links below to learn about your vision correction options.

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PRK LASER Eye Surgery

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PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) is a refractive eye surgery technique similar to LASIK surgery as both use the excimer laser to reshape the cornea (the front surface of the eye), in order to change its ability to focus light on the retina. The primary difference between PRK eye surgery and LASIK surgery is that with PRK, a flap is not made. Instead, the excimer laser carefully sculpts the outer layer of the cornea to create an optimal refractive surface.PRK eye surgery is used to correct:

Patients who have been told that their corneas are too thin or too dry for LASIK may be excellent candidates for the PRK procedure. Also, patients who are subject to extreme facial trauma such as football, basketball players, and boxers are better suited for PRK. Visual results are generally the same for PRK and LASIK, but the healing and recovery time is somewhat longer with PRK.

Post-operatively, recovery from PRK eye surgery generally brings slightly more discomfort that can last a day or two after surgery. A bandage soft contact lens is placed on the eye for several days and removed when the outer layer of epithelium has healed.

Refractive Lens Exchange

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Refractive Lens Exchange, or RLE, is identical to cataract surgery, the only difference being that the eyes natural lens is not cloudy yet. It is a surgical procedure that can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. Usually this procedure is performed in patients 50 yrs or older and can potentially correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and even presbyopia. Unlike other refractive procedures that change the shape of the cornea, RLE corrects vision by replacing the eye’s natural crystalline lens with an intraocular lens (IOL) that has been designed with the optical power to give clear vision, thus eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Monovision LASIK Eye surgery

Monovision LASIK is a technique that Dr. Schnipper uses to give his patients the ability to see clearly both for distance and for reading. Whether the patient is nearsighted or farsighted Dr. Schnipper corrects one eye for distance and the other eye for near vision. While the patient uses both eyes simultaneously, one eye is favored for distance vision and the other for near vision.Monovision LASIK is FDA approved and is a safe and effective procedure for people over 45 who are unhappy because they can no longer see up close.

To learn more about Monovision LASIK and to see if this is a good procedure for you, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Robert Schnipper at the Jacksonville Eye Center.

AK – Astigmatic Keratotomy

Astigmatism is a common occurrence in which the corneal is not completely spherical, like a basketball, but rather has more of an oval shape, like that of a football. This causes vision to be

distorted. Traditionally contact lenses and glasses have been used to correct astigmatism, but permanent solutions are now available that can reduce or even eliminate dependency on glasses and contact lenses. Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK) is a procedure that is effective in the treatment of astigmatism. In this vision correction procedure, Dr. Schnipper makes tiny incisions in the cornea to change its curvature. The incisions flatten the steep part of the cornea, making the eye more spherical.

People are best suited for Astigmatic Keratotomy if they have minimal or moderate degrees of astigmatism. Dr. Schnipper performs AK on patients who are having cataract and lens implant surgery.

We encourage you to schedule a consultation at Jacksonville Eye Center to determine if AK is right for you, especially if you are having cataract lens implant surgery and want freedom from glasses.

Premium Lenses

Our eyes are continuously focusing on objects at different distances. Whether it be watching television, sitting at a computer or driving, our eyes automatically focus on different things at different distances very quickly. As we get older, the ability of our eyes to change focus, or accommodate, weakens, which leads to the need for bifocals and reading glasses. By combining the strengths of various and refractive technologies, the Acrysof IQ ReStor IOL provides quality near, intermediate and distance vision and increased independence for reading glasses and bifocals.

Clinical Trial Data for the Acrysof IQ ReSTOR IOL:

The US clinical trials included a three-month follow-up exam of near, intermediate and distance visual acuities. The clinical studies also showed a high rate of patient satisfaction with over 95 percent of patients stating that they would have this lens implanted again.

Schedule a Consultation With Dr. Schnipper

For more information about your vision correction options, contact Jacksonville Eye Center at 904-355-5555 to schedule a consultation.