The WaveLight Refractive Suite, combining two advanced lasers into one state-of-the-art system making for a quick, precise, and comfortable LASIK treatment, leading to better outcomes and vision.
Dr. Connor Davenport
Are you tired of struggling with glasses or contact lenses?
Refractive procedures are a group of treatments that improve vision by correcting refractive error such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia, reducing or eliminating your need for glasses or contacts. There are two main treatment approaches: one is by using a laser to reshape the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) and the other is by implanting a lens inside the eye.
Good vision depends on how well your cornea and lens focus light on the retina. Refractive errors arise from a cornea that is not shaped perfectly or an eye being shorter or longer than normal. This causes light to not be focused on the retina, creating blurry vision. By reshaping the cornea or implanting a lens inside the eye, light can be properly focused on the retina, leading to good vision without glasses. These procedures are safe and effective and can improve quality of life.
What are some of the common types of refractive procedures? (Also see YT video comparison.)
- LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) is the most well-known and commonly performed refractive procedure. During LASIK, a flap is made in the cornea with a femtosecond laser, the flap is lifted, the underlying cornea is reshaped with an excimer laser, and the flap is laid back down. The procedure is typically painless and takes 15-20 minutes for both eyes. Most patients experience significantly improved vision within 24 hours and it continues to sharpen as the eyes heal over the coming months. While many people are good LASIK candidates, some patients do not meet certain requirements and would be better served by a different type of refractive treatment.
- PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is an alternative to LASIK for patients with thin or slightly irregular shaped corneas. During PRK, the outer layer of the cornea called the epithelium is removed and then the underlying corneal tissue is reshaped with the excimer laser. The procedure is typically painless and takes 15-20 minutes for both eyes. The outer layer of the cornea then grows back and smooths out naturally. Waiting for this outer layer to heal leads to a longer recovery time and more discomfort post-operatively than LASIK, but the long-term vision results are equivalent. PRK patients can expect improved but somewhat blurry vision the first week (as the epithelium grows back), good vision within a month, and excellent vision at 3-6 months (once the epithelium is completely smoothed out).
- EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is for patients with thin corneas, irregular corneas, or a large nearsighted prescription. During EVO ICL, a small, thin, biocompatible lens is implanted inside the eye behind the iris and in front of the natural crystalline lens. These EVO lenses come in different sizes and strengths, which allows the surgeon to customize the lens to your prescription and pre-operative measurements. The procedure is painless, typically takes less than 1 hour, and is performed in an outpatient surgery center. It provides excellent vision and recovery is quick. EVO ICL has been a breakthrough in refractive treatment and allows us to help patients who were often times not candidates for refractive surgery before.
- Clear lens exchange (CLE) or Refractive lens exchange (RLE) is an option for patients over the age of 40 with farsightedness and presbyopia (the need for reading glasses). In our 40s and 50s, patients start to lose the ability to accommodate, which is the ability of the natural crystalline lens to change shape and allow for focusing at different distances. During CLE, the patient’s natural crystalline lens is removed through small corneal incisions and a new artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is placed inside the eye within the same support structure that once held the crystalline lens in place. The IOL is customized to the patient based on pre-operative measurements to provide the best vision. Many patients who undergo CLE opt for a multifocal IOL, which splits light and provides both distance and near vision without glasses. The procedure is quick and painless and takes place in our outpatient surgery center.
Am I a candidate? Which surgery is right for me?
The best way to know if you are a candidate is to come into our office for a free evaluation. We will measure your prescription, do a full eye exam, and perform scans of your eyes. With all of our technology, more patients are candidates than ever before. If you are deemed a candidate, we can then discuss which procedure would be most effective and safe to meet your vision goals. You can join these ESA patients who love their new vision:
“Waking up seeing the alarm clock. After getting LASIK, I can see better than I did with glasses.”
Justin, East Moline, IL
“Birthday gift from my husband – Best gift I’ve ever received in my life. This is going to change my life and I wish I would have done this sooner. Dr. Davenport and his staff are amazing!”
Heather, Davenport, IA
“You might not believe in miracles, but LASIK may make you into a believer.”
Wes, Bettendorf, IA
“I really wish I would have done this sooner, I have worn glasses for 40 years of my 49 years, and the freedom is liberating! Dr. Davenport and his team are amazing!”
Staci, Silvis, IL
Bio: Dr. Davenport is a fellowship trained Ophthalmologist with Eye Surgeons Associates. His specialties include all-laser (bladeless) LASIK, standard as well as laser-assisted cataract surgery, clear lens exchange, PRK, and ICL. For more information, please see our website: https://www.eyesurgeonspc.com/lasik-quad-cities/.
A patient information booklet is available with a complete listing of the indications, contraindications, complications, precautions and side effects. Not everyone is a candidate. Individual results may vary. The material contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider.
