Eyes of York - Laser Vision Correction

Eyes of York
1880 Kenneth Rd.
York, PA 17408
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Monday & Wednesday
» 8:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday & Thursday
» 7:30am - 5:00pm
Friday
» 7:30am - 12:30pm

Contact our York, PA office to schedule an appointment. Please fill out the contact form below.

AST (Advanced Surface Treatment)

Are you tired of depending on glasses or contacts to see? AST is a type of laser vision correction which may give you the visual freedom you desire. AST is an excellent alternative to iLASIK for those who have been told they are not suitable candidates for iLASIK or whose lifestyle may preclude them from having iLASIK.

Dr. Visco and Dr. Benz were the first practice in York to perform AST and have performed thousands of procedures successfully for patients over the past decade.

How AST works:

There have been various terms for surface treatments since laser vision correction has been employed. LASEK (Laser assisted sub-epithelial keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) are two such procedures commonly interchangeable with AST. These two technologies are very similar. They involve removing the outermost layer of the cornea (epithelium) and then using precise laser technology to reshape the exposed corneal bed. The deeper layers of the cornea are uninvolved in contrast to LASIK.

With LASEK, a form of alchohol is applied to the cornea for several seconds which allows the surface epithelium to loosen. The epithelium is then lifted and moved to the side to expose the central corneal bed. This bed is then treated with the excimer laser to achieve the appropriate level of correction required. The epithelium is then returned to its original position and a bandage contact lens is placed for about 5 days to allow the epithelium to heal and minimize discomfort.

The only difference with AST is that the epithelium is removed instead of being set aside as in LASEK. This layer will completely regenerate itself in approximately 72 hours. Patients will notice variable discomfort and a slow gradual improvement in their vision as the epithelium heals. AST is a highly effective, safe, and quick outpatient procedure. Eyes of York combines the skill, care, and technology of Dr. Visco, Dr. Benz, and our staff, allowing patients to anticipate highly satisfying results. The decision to take advantage of AST and to entrust your eyes to a professional is an important one, therefore you should be as informed as possible.

Benefits of AST:

Since the treatment is performed on the surface of the cornea, there is no corneal flap. Thus, the structural integrity of the cornea is maintained. This is considered to be an increased safety factor over iLASIK.
Some patients may have corneas considered too thin to make an iLASIK flap. AST will preserve more corneal tissue since it works on the corneal surface.
Patients with active lifestyles such as law enforcement, military personnel and athletes are at increased risk of sustaining trauma to their eyes. The iLASIK flap could pose an unreasonalbe risk to become dislodged however there are no flaps with AST.
There are nerves in the deeper tissues of the cornea that help regulate tear production. AST spares these nerves and reduces the risk of dry eyes after surgery when compared with iLASIK

You may be an AST candidate if you:

Are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism within the range of approved treatment*
Are over 18 years of age
Have had a stable glasses prescription for 2 years
Have no health issues affecting your eyes
Are not pregnant or nursing
Do not have any autoimmune disorders

What to expect:

A preliminary screening will determine if you are a candidate for the AST procedure based on your prescription and general health history. You can schedule a free personal evaluation to discuss your possible candidacy and learn more about laser vision correction.

The next step is a thorough and comprehensive eye examination with the doctor where all the preoperative testing, your overall medical condition and the health of your eyes are evaluated to determine your candidacy for the procedure. If you wear soft contact lenses, they need to be out for 7-10 days prior to this preoperative exam. Soft toric lenses need to be removed 14-21 days prior, gas permeable lenses 3-4 weeks prior, and hard contact lenses 4-6 weeks prior this exam.

The day of your procedure, you should not wear eye makeup. You will need to arrange for transportation to and from the doctor’s office. The procedure itself is fast and simple, and will take just about 10 minutes to perform. You will have a bandage contact lens placed in each eye after surgery.

After the procedure, and as with other vision correction procedures, you may experience some eye discomfort and light sensitivity for a few days. Your vision will deteriorate for the first two days before improving. The bandage contact lenses are removed around post-op day #4 at which point most patients see well enough to drive a car. Many patients experience some dry eyes and glare in the early months of recovery.

It is important not to rub or bump your eyes and wear eye shields when you sleep for the first week. You should avoid getting substances like soap, shampoo, and hair spray in your eyes and refrain from wearing makeup for one week. Stay away from swimming pools, hot tubs, and saunas for a minimum of one week. Remember to wear proper eye protection when participating in active sports and working with machinery, tools, or hazardous material. Longer waiting periods may be recommended for certain activities, as these are only guidelines. Most importantly, be sure to take your medication exactly as prescribed to ensure a successful recovery.

As a normal part of the aging process, people need to rely on reading glasses or bifocal lenses after the age of 40 due to a condition called presbyopia. Presbyopia is the loss of elasticity in the tiny muscles that focus the lens of the eye for reading at close range. AST does not correct for this unless monovision is done. If you are over 40 years old and considering AST, ask your doctor about monovision with AST.

The recovery time associated with AST is generally longer than iLASIK and for some patients there may be more post-operative discomfort. However, the trade offs are temporary and may be worth considering if the long term safety of AST makes it a better procedure choice for you.

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