Other Vision Correction Options
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.
PRK LASER Eye Surgery
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:
- Nearsightedness
- Farsightedness
- Astigmatism.
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.
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.
Clear Lens Exchange (Refractive Lens Exchange)
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.
Refractive Lens Exchange is for those who:
- Are over 50
- Want to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses or contact lenses
- Are both very nearsighted or farsighted with early cataract formation
- Very nearsighted or farsighted
- Want to treat presbyopia with a multifocal implant
- Are looking for an alternative to LASIK
What to Expect on RLE Surgery Day
Refractive Lens Exchange is performed at the Riverside Park Surgicenter, which is located on the second floor of our building. This marvelous procedure is done on an outpatient basis, meaningthe patient goes home on the same day. Upon arrival for your surgery, you will meet the anesthesiologist and be given IV relaxing medication and a local anesthetic to numb your eye during the procedure. You should not feel any pain or discomfort during this surgery. Similar to cataract surgery, your surgeon will replace your natural crystalline lens with a premium intraocular lens. This new lens will give you clear vision at both far and near. Also, after the RLE procedure, patients never develop cataracts and will never need cataract surgery.
My experience with the Jacksonville eye center just can not be beat. I’ve lived with terrible eyesight my entire life. Dr schnipper evaluated me for the best corrective eye surgery possible. The Dr and his staff are top notch, courteous professional and friendly. I would strongly recommend them to friends and family with eye care needs. Thank you Dr, and thank you to your team for helping me.
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
Symfony IOL®
The Tecnis Symfony® IOL was FDA-approved in 2016, and has been making waves in the ophthalmology world since. What makes this IOL so special? It’s the first IOL designed specifically with presbyopia in mind.
If you are interested in this life-changing IOL, contact Dr. Schnipper today!
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.
Acrysof IQ ReSTOR
Are you ready to throw away your reading glasses or bifocals? Until recently, this was not an option, but now with the introduction of the Acrysof IQ ReSTOR IOL (Intraocular Lens), the possibility of being free of reading glasses has arrived! This new lens is FDA approved and is giving patients clear vision at all distances…near, intermediate and far!The Acrysof IQ ReSTOR IOL is implanted during RLE or cataract surgery to replace the natural lens, which has become clouded by cataracts. This new lens can provide enhanced vision quality and full range of vision, giving patients and increased independence from reading glasses and bifocals.
Crystalens
Would you like to be able to be able to read, see at a distance and see everything in between? With the new technologically advanced Crystalens AO, seeing clearly at all distances without the need of reading glasses or bi-focals is now a possibility. The Crystalens AO IOL (Intraocular lens) is the first of its kind to mimic the contraction of eye muscles to accommodate and focus at near, immediate and far distances. The main difference between the Crystalens AO and other multifocal lenses is that the Crystalens uses technology to accommodate and allow clear vision at all distances, instead of just multiple distances with multifocal lenses, which are divided into zones of vision. It also significantly lowers glare and halos around lights at night compared to multifocal technology.The Crystalens AO is the first aberration free accommodating IOL; this lens has an elongated shape to help improve contract sensitivity and reduce higher order aberrations that can distort vision.
The Crystalens AO is implanted during cataract surgery and gives patients the ability to see at all distances without the need of reading glasses or bi-focals.
Clinical Trial Data for the Crystalens AO
FDA one-year clinical study
- 92% of the people enrolled in the study (implanted bilaterally) could see 20/25 or better at distance, 96% could see 20/20 at arm’s length and 73% could see 20/25 at near without glasses or contact lenses.
- 98% of these people could pass their drivers test, 100% could see their computer or put on their makeup, and 98% could read a magazine, all without glasses or contact lenses.
Tecnis Multifocal
If you have been diagnosed with cataracts, you now have the option to up-grade your cataract surgery by choosing a premium multifocal lens that provides clear vision at all distances and all light levels! According to clinical trials, nearly 9 out of 10 patients who receive the Tecnis Multifocal IOL (Intraocular lens) during cataract surgery do not require glasses!Imagine not needing reading glasses and being able to see clearly at night! This is now a possibility with the Tecnis Multifocal IOL!
The Tecnis Multifocal IOL is implanted during RLE or cataract surgery, and is the only IOL proven to provide clear vision at all distances and all light levels. Ask Dr. Schnipper for more information about which premium lens option is best for your individual needs.
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.