| *Intended for a Canadian audience only |
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| *Intended for a Canadian audience only |
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Laser Eye Surgery involves permanent reshaping of the outer surface of the eye, known as the cornea. Critical factors to be measured before recommending surgery include corneal thickness and steepness of the curvature relative to the amount of correction you require. The amount of correction must be balanced with these factors, ensuring that sufficient corneal thickness and curvature remain to maintain good quality vision and corneal integrity. Because this is surgery of the cornea, we believe it is best performed by a corneal specialist with a subspecialty in refractive surgery. Dr. Demong is a fellowship trained corneal specialist with over 15 years of experience in Laser Eye Surgery and has personally performed well over 12,000 laser procedures, in all ranges of correction.
Laser Eye Surgery is a two-step process involving the removal of the outermost surface of the cornea followed by laser treatment that reshapes a deeper level of the cornea. Dr. Demong will recommend the treatment that is best for your eyes considering the health of your eyes, the amount and type of correction required, and the procedure that will best match your expectations.
Both eyes are typically treated the same day. All laser surgery is performed after anesthetic drops have been instilled to numb sensation in the eyes, preventing discomfort at the time of surgery.
The two most commonly performed procedures at Demong Associate Eyecentre are IntraLASIK combined with Custom Cornea Wavefront treatment, or PRK combined with Custom Cornea Wavefront treatment.
The difference between these procedures lies in the technique to manage the outermost layer of the cornea. This layer is known as the epithelium, or skin, of the cornea and is the only part of the cornea that regenerates when it has been altered. If Laser Eye Surgery reshaped this layer, it would regenerate and the treatment would be only temporary. This is why the epithelium must be removed or lifted aside in some manner before permanent reshaping occurs in the deeper layers.
Your laser surgery will be performed at our private Surgical Suite, located adjacent to our office. A mild sedative and series of eye drops will be administered to prepare you for surgery. At the same time, our nurses will describe the anticipated process and answer your questions.
Anesthetic drops will be used to numb your eyes throughout treatment. Surface treatment and reshaping treatment will be performed in the same room where you will remain supported by Dr. Demong and his nurses. Following the first phase, your eyelids will be gently parted with a spring-like brace. You will not feel this, nor will you experience any discomfort throughout your treatment.
Dr. Demong will ask you to look at a bright light in the laser microscope so the tracking system can lock into place. You will not be able to blink during treatment and the tracking system will follow every minute movement of your eye throughout the few seconds of the procedure. When you arise after surgery, you will notice an immediate improvement compared to when you entered the laser room, but your best vision will not be enjoyed until much later in the evening or early the next morning when dilating drops have worn off.
You'll remain at our Centre for a brief period of recovery during which our nurses will review instructions for you to follow the first evening. They will also provide you with a brochure outlining those details. Then Dr. Demong will examine you once again before you leave. Our registered nurse on call will contact you after you've returned home to check on your condition, review instructions for medications and answer any questions at that time.