LASIK Eye Surgery, Cataract Treatment, Presbyopia Correction – Canada

Canadian Eye Surgeons for LASIK and Cataract Surgery

In Canada, laser eye surgery is used to correct vision for patients who want to eliminate their dependence on glasses or contact lenses. LASIK is the most popular type of laser eye surgery. During this procedure a corneal flap is created, exposing the inner layers of the cornea. The corneal flap is folded back and excimer laser energy is applied to these layers of the cornea to change the corneal shape and correct vision. The flap is returned and serves as a bandage while the eye heals. Most LASIK patients can see clearly the next day after surgery. The most popular method for creating the corneal flap in Canada is the use of a laser to gently separate the flap tissue from the inner layers of the cornea. This procedure is called All-Laser LASIK or Blade-Free LASIK.

Other Types of Laser Eye Surgery in Canada

PRK, LASEK and Epi LASIK are other types of laser eye surgery. During these procedures, either the corneal flap is not created, such as in PRK, or the flap is created in a different way than LASIK, such as in LASEK or Epi LASIK. The same type of excimer laser is used to change the shape of the cornea, no matter which method is used to create the corneal flap. Wavefront technology can be used with all types of laser eye surgery. This technology creates a highly accurate map of the corneal shape and then uses this map to provide a unique laser profile for each patient. Individualized correction can be accomplished with wavefront technology and Canadian patients often obtain better than 20/20 vision.

Canada Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is a procedure used to remove the cloudy (cataractous) lens in the eye and replace this lens with an IOL (intraocular lens). During the procedure, the Canadian eye surgeon makes a self-sealing incision in the side of the cornea, then uses a special suction device to remove the cloudy lens and then insert the artificial lens through the same incision. The incision is created at such an angle that the pressure in the eye forces the incision closed after surgery and no stitches are required.

Cataract Surgery and Presbyopia Correction

Since most cataract patients in Canada are beyond the age of 60, they have presbyopia condition, or age-related farsightedness, and have lost the ability to see up close to read.  Recently, new types of IOLs have been developed that allow eye surgeons to treat the cataract and to correct for distance vision and presbyopia at the same time. These new lenses are inserted during the standard cataract surgery procedure.

Other Types of Presbyopia Correction

For Canadian patients who do not have cataracts, but would like presbyopia correction, they can have an IOL inserted the same way that would occur during cataract surgery. For this surgery, the natural lens is removed, even though it is still clear. For those patients who do not want their natural lens removed, special new implants have been created to work in conjunction with the natural lens. And, laser eye surgery techniques, such a presbyLASIK, have been developed which use the excimer laser to reshape the eye and correct presbyopia. Visit a refractive surgeon in Canada to learn about which of these vision correction procedures is best for you.  These surgeons may also offer other types of eye care procedures, such as cosmetic eye treatments. Ask your eye surgeon about Latisse treatment, Botox vs Dysport for wrinkle reduction or the cost of laser hair removal (to remove unsightly hair from the facial area.)