Lasik

Are You a Candidate?

The best way for you  to determine this is with an in-depth examination of your eyes, your expectations and your lifestyle by an experienced, licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist.  LASIK can treat a very broad range of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism in people who are at least 18 years old, in good general health with a stable prescription and have no eye diseases.

What is CustomLASIK?

While conventional LASIK has been a complete revolution in vision correction, TLC also offers the latest in laser vision correction technology - CustomLASIK.   Corneas are like fingerprints - detailed, unique and no two are alike.  This uniqueness created distortions that Conventional LASIK is not designed to treat.

CustomLASIK provides an additional level of data about your vision requirements using wavefront technology.

• Using wavefront technology, an analyzer projects waves of light into the eye.
• A customized map is created for each individual eye.
• Digital technology identifies and measures imperfections 25 time more precise than Conventional LASIK to offer higher levels of precision and treatment accuracy.

In clinical studies, CustomLASIK has been able to provide patients with:

• A greater chance of having 20/20 vision,
• The potential for better vision than is possible with contacts or glasses,
• Less incidence of glare and halos,
• Potentially better overall vision, even at night.

CustomLASIK or Conventional LASIK

The actual LASIK procedure process is performed the same way in both conventional LASIK and CustomLASIK.  Conventional LASIK is still an excellent choice for many patients.  Your doctor will help you determine if you could benefit from the higher level of customization that CustomLASIK may provide.

Considering LASIK eye surgery? 

You’ll be happy to know that we are the #1 Optometric practice that co-manages LASIK surgery in Western PA since 1998.  Dr. Hilliard has been on clinical staff for TLC Laser Eye Centers, Pittsburgh since 2000. He provides pre and post-operative care, consults with potential LASIK candidates and also consults with over 250 affiliate eye doctors in Western PA, Eastern Ohio and West Virginia.  This unique position has allowed Dr. Hilliard to work with thousands of LASIK patients, which is why many patients come to Indiana from a few hours away for their LASIK care.

In the near future, we want to have our very own LASIK Center right here in Indiana!  We plan on building a brand-new, state-of-the-art eye care facility that will house our new LASIK Center.    

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is a procedure that utilizes the excimer laser by gently reshaping the outer surface of the cornea ( the clear "watch glass" on the front of the eye ).  PRK is beneficial for mild to moderate amounts of myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism.

LASIK (Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis) is a procedure that involves creating a hinged flap of corneal tissue then utilizing the precision of the excimer laser by gently reshaping the inner layers of the cornea.  This is a highly effective procedure for moderate to high amounts of myopia, hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.  More patients are choosing LASIK because of the fast recovery time- usually within 24 hours- and less follow up care.  As a matter of fact, over 95% of our patients have chosen LASIK over PRK, including our own staff's family members!

Dr. Hilliard is a part time clinical director for TLC Laser Eye Centers in Pittsburgh, PA.  He is a consultant for laser vision correction candidates and also is in charge of pre and post operative care at the laser center.  Dr. Hilliard also answers any questions that other affiliate doctors might have about their laser vision correction patients' candidacy or follow up care. 

Our office periodically offers free, no obligation seminars on laser vision correction.  They typically last one hour and we even have some of our patients talk about their experiences and answer any questions you might have.  Please contact the office for our next seminar.

If you are interested in learning more about laser vision correction, please ask for Nadine, our laser vision coordinator and she will be happy to assist you.