In the early 1970's, incisional refractive surgery (radial and
astigmati keratotomy) was used to treat certain types of nearsightedness and astigmatism in patients worldwide, allowing them more independence from eye glasses and contact lenses. 1995 marked the dawning of a new era with FDA approval of laser vision correction with the excimer laser. Initial treatments were limited to PRK myopia treatment and subsequently myopic-astigmatism was added. Soon, LASIK treatment began here in the United States for treatment of myopia astigmatism as well. Thereafter treatment for hyperopia, followed by hyperopic astigmatism in refractive surgery were approved.
Meanwhile, other refractive procedures came and went, including intacs and LTK (laser thermal keratoplasty). Sabates Eye Centers refractive surgeons performed intacs procedures very successfully, however stopped doing them when the company experienced business losses along the way. Other newer procedures have come along including LASEK (which is a modified PRK type procedure), C-LAPIKS (contact lens induced corneal reshaping, which serves only as a temporary solution for refractive error problems). Sabates Eye Centers refractive surgeons do not find either of these options of additional benefit over current state of the art refractive procedures, and thus never incorporated them. Additionally, phakic iol’s have become approved, along with accommodative intraocular lenses.
Sabates Eye Centers Refractive Surgeons have certified and trained in both of these refractive procedures, and continue to monitor them both for necessary improvements before proceeding further. CK (conductive keratoplasty) procedures were started by our team of refractive surgeons here at Sabates Eye Centers in 2003. Excimer laser systems constantly change, evolve, and improve along the way. Sabates Eye Centers Refractive Surgeons always seek to certify, train, and intensely review all new refractive surgery procedures as they come about with FDA approval. While some of these procedures are felt to be good and appropriate, many that come along are not felt to be safe viable options to assist our patients in their best solutions to reducing their ocular refractive errors.
Some of our surgeons have taught our community ophthalmologists over the years in refractive surgery, and actively involve themselves in refractive surgery teaching of ophthalmology residents in the University of Missouri Department of Ophthalmology. Our Refractive Surgery Team of surgeons includes Jean R. Hausheer, MD, FACS, Tim Walline, MD and David Lyon, MD.
Learn more about
LASIK Procedures, click here.
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