Vision Correction Options
Laser Vision Correction
With the passage of years some of us have experienced problems with our vision and want to consider the laser vision correction options available in Fort Myers. If you are frustrated with your need for glasses or contacts you may be a candidate for Laser Vision Correction. A Comprehensive Eye Exam will help you and your doctor make an informed decision about your eye care. 
Today there are many options for vision correction ranging from eyeglasses and contact lens to laser vision correction and lens implants. Dr. David C. Brown, Medical Director and Founder of Eye Centers of Florida has performed over 100,000 Vision Correction Procedures. Dr. Brown is a nationally recognized, premier laser eye surgeon.
Dr. Brown is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, F.A.C.S. “The letters FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) after a surgeon's name mean that the surgeon's education and training, professional qualifications, surgical competence, and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation, and have been found to be consistent with the high standards established and demanded by the College.”
Vision Correction Options generally fall into four broad categories:
A fifth category that significantly contributes to eye health and improved vision is nutrition and vitamin supplements. This fifth category is a long term commitment and it is harder to measure its effectiveness on a specific vision problem.
To determine the current state of your vision you need to visit your eye doctor for a Comprehensive Eye Exam. This will provide your physician with the information needed to recommend vision correction options.
Clear vision requires that light rays pass through the eye's cornea, pupil and lens, and focus directly on the retina. If the cornea's curvature is not perfect, light rays focus either in front of, or behind the retina, resulting in nearsighted, farsightedness or astigmatism.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a complete eye exam every one to two years for those ages 65 and older, and every two to four years for ages 40 to 65. More frequent exams may be indicated for those with a history of eye injury, diabetes, or a family history of eye problems, depending on your eye health and the advice of your physician.
Myopia or nearsightedness, Hyperopia or farsightedness, Astigmatism and Presbyopia or aging eye are collectively referred to as refractive errors, and the various surgical approaches for correcting these are collectively referred to as refractive surgery. Refractive errors usually occur in otherwise healthy eyes. The most common cause of refractive errors is an imperfectly shaped eyeball, cornea or lens. There are four basic types of errors:
Myopia (Nearsightedness)
Nearsightedness also called myopia, causes distant objects to focus in front of the retina. If you are nearsighted, some images are blurred because the focusing power of the eye is too strong.
You can see near objects well (because they require greater focusing power) but not distant objects.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Farsightedness also called hyperopia, means objects are focused beyond the retina. If you are farsighted, some images are blurred because the focusing power of the eye is too weak. The eye can see distant objects well (because they require less focusing power) but not near objects.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism results when the front surface of the eye (the cornea) is not perfectly round. In astigmatism, the cornea is shaped more like a football than a basketball. The result is that not all parts of an object are focused equally, and blurring occurs at all distances. Astigmatism can exist by itself or together with myopia or hyperopia.
Presbyopia or aging eye
The eye loses its ability to change focus due to the natural aging process. The aging of the eye results in less flexibility of the lens fibers and the muscles that control the lens. This usually occurs between the ages of 40 and 50. Because presbyopia involves the lens, it is different from refractive errors which involve the shape of the cornea.
Vision Correction Options and Procedures
The physicians at Eye Centers of Florida have years of experience in lens implants, laser vision correction and other corrective eye procedures, and will help you decide which of the following procedures is best suited to correcting your vision problems.
The first step to any of Eye Centers of Florida correct eye surgeries is a complimentary consultation*. This visit is free and takes approximately one to two hours. At the completion of this visit, you will know whether or not you are a candidate for corrective eye surgery, plus you will receive answers to your questions. Call our friendly laser vision correction coordinators to schedule your first visit, 1.866.393.2345 (toll free).
Lens Implants
Corrective artificial lens implants give people the option of living without glasses. This vision correction choice offers different options for the under 40 and the over 40 age groups.
Under 40 years of age: The Implantable Collamer Lens or ICL, sometimes called the Implantable Contact Lens, marketed by Staar Surgical in Monrovia, California, received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in late December 2005. While this lens is new to the U.S. market more than 40,000 Visian ICL’s have already been implanted worldwide.
Over 40 years of age: The choice of lens implants for this age group is larger and more established, including Clear Lens Exchange (CLE): crystalens®, ReSTOR® and ReZoom™.
Laser and Corneal Surgery
LASIK
LASIK is a one of the most popular laser vision correction options. LASIK improves vision by changing the shape of the cornea with a laser and is a very effective treatment for a wide range of vision problems. LASIK can treat a broad range of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. ...more
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)
PRK is a laser vision correction option that combines state-of-the-art computer technology with the precision of the laser. The procedure, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), corrects nearsightedness (myopia) using the Excimer Laser System, made by VISX and Nidek (FDA approved).
The laser delivers bursts of ultraviolet light that vaporize precisely targeted corneal tissue (the clear part of the front of the eye). This alters the corneal curvature, permitting light to focus properly on the retina in the back of the eye. In a myopic eye, light focuses in front of the retina, causing blurred distance vision.
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Epi-LASIK/LASEK
The Epi-LASIK procedure can correct nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. The results after the Epi-LASIK procedure are very similar to LASIK and it is a great option for patients who would like to reduce or eliminate their need for eyeglasses or contact lenses.
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LASEK
Laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) is a modified form of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). The LASEK procedure allows the refractive surgeon to disturb less corneal tissue than its sound-alike counterpart. LASEK is used most frequently for people with corneas that are too thin or too flat for LASIK. It was developed to reduce the chance of complications that occur when the flap created during LASIK is not the ideal thickness or diameter.
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LTK (Laser Thermal Keratoplasty)
LTK is designed for those that are farsighted (hyperopia) or those that are experiencing diminished vision after the age of 40. LTK is considered a non-contact laser procedure, as there is no cutting of the cornea and no eye tissue is removed in the procedure. LTK treats mild farsightedness and can also provide a means of treating presbyopia (age-induced farsightedness). This treatment is considered a “temporary” reduction of the refractive error.
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LRI/AK
Limbal Relaxing Incisions (LRI)
Limbal Relaxing incisions (LRI) are a modification of astigmatic keratotomy (AK), a procedure to treat astigmatism. LRI’s can be effective in substantially reducing astigmatism even in high astigmatism cases.
Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK)
Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK)
is the procedure that treats astigmatism. Surgeons make microscopic incisions over the corneal surface.
Monovision
Monovision is an attractive option for many patients over the age of 40. You can elect a non-surgical monovision or a surgical option. With non-surgical monovision you wear a contact lens in one eye for distant vision and the use of a near vision contact in the other eye. Usually your dominant eye is fit for distance. It takes some training to get used to the "monovision" technique, but most people can adjust well to it and eventually cease to notice that each eye is responsible for a different part of their vision. If you find that this technique works well for you, this can sometimes be simulated using LASIK surgery.
Procedures & Treatments
Procedures and treatments for some of the more common eye conditions and diseases:
- Amblyopia
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Detached Retina
- Diseases of the Retina
- Eye Trauma
- Floaters and Flashes
- Glaucoma
- Low Vision
- Macular Degeneration
- Tear Duct Problems
There are many more conditions and diseases of the eye than can be included in the scope of this website. See our Resources page for more links to educational and informational websites. Eye Centers of Florida also participates in various Clinical Studies.
Eyeglasses, Contact Lens & Vision Aids
This category of vision correction encompasses the mechanical, non-invasive methods and devices which can be used to improve vision.
- Choosing the Right Eyeglasses
- Contact Lens
- Low Vision Aids
The First Step
The first step to any of Eye Centers of Florida corrective eye surgeries is a complimentary consultation*. This visit is free and takes approximately one to two hours. At the completion of this visit, you will know whether or not you are a candidate for corrective eye surgery, plus you will receive answers to your questions. Call our friendly vision correction coordinators to schedule your first visit, 1.866.393.2345 (toll free).
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* The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment, or be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination, or treatment which is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted fee, or reduced fee service, examination, or treatment.
LASIK
Services & Procedures
