Laser Vision Correction brochure

LVC technology

Healthy vision is priceless

The most common laser vision correction procedures are done with an excimer laser. The excimer laser is a computer-guided cool laser that corrects vision by reshaping the cornea to improve the way light is focused or refracted. The excimer laser works in about 60 seconds, and the entire procedure lasts for about 15 minutes from start to finish.

Choosing laser vision correction is a big step, and deciding which provider to trust with your refractive procedure is just as important.

Wavefront is an advanced software technology that allows LVC to be more accurate and to moderate glare and halos typically noticeable at night after LVC with traditional software. This also allows you to maintain quality vision in dim lighting.

Femtosecond LASIK replaces the traditional microkeratome device with a computer-guided femtosecond laser, which for appropriate candidates can enhance the safety and accuracy of your procedure.

Cost and payment options

When you choose Kaiser Permanente for LASIK or other laser eye surgery, you can feel confident knowing that you’ll be treated by an experienced, board-certified refractive surgeon familiar with your medical history and your unique needs.

Your providers will be with you from the initial consultation and will remain involved with your care even after your procedure.

Ready to take the next step?

Start planning your clear future with Kaiser Permanente. Call the location nearest you to schedule a consultation or to talk to one of our patient care coordinators about your specific needs or concerns. You can also visit us online at kplaservisioncorrection.com.

Laser vision correction is a fee-for-service procedure.

It is not covered under Health Plan benefits. Our price includes:

Kaiser Permanente laser vision correction services are available at the following locations:

• Comprehensive clinical consultation including corneal topography, pachymetry, dilated and nondilated refractions, eye pressure measurement, and assessment of LVC candidacy

Fremont

510-248-3861

Milpitas

408-945-6977

Redwood City

650-299-3789

Sacramento/Roseville

916-614-4350

• Professional surgical fee

San Francisco

415-833-2763

• Laser center fee

Santa Clara

408-851-4030

• Twelve months of post-operative care

San Rafael

415-482-6827

Santa Rosa

707-566-5232

Walnut Creek/Park Shadelands

925-906-2550

You can pay for your procedure with your flexible spending account (FSA) or medical savings plan (MSP). You can also pay with cash, money order, or credit card.

see your life CLEARLY kplaservisioncorrection.com Services described here are provided on a fee-for-service basis. These services are not provided or covered by Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., and you are financially responsible to pay for them. Clinical services are provided by providers or contractors of The Permanente Medical Group, Inc. Results of services vary among patients and cannot be guaranteed. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals may receive compensation for providing facilities and/or other support in connection with these services. For specific information about your health plan benefits, please see your Evidence of Coverage. Photos of models shown, not actual patients.

LASER VISION CORRECTION

How laser vision correction works Also known as refractive surgery, laser vision correction (LVC) refers to eye operations that use a laser to reshape the cornea and change the way light is focused or “refracted” by the eye. The goal is simple: to reduce your dependence on glasses or contacts. If you are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism and feel that glasses or contacts limit your life, laser vision correction may be the right choice for you.

The most common laser vision correction procedures are done with a computer-guided excimer laser. Two major procedure types are available: • Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) • Surface ablation, including photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), epi-LASIK, or LASEK (the latter 2 are variations on PRK) In each of these procedures, the laser sculpts the cornea in about 30 to 60 seconds and the entire procedure takes approximately 15 minutes from start to finish. Healing is rapid and does not require stitches. Many people see a dramatic improvement in their vision within a day. For others, vision may fluctuate and continue to improve for several weeks.

Am I a good candidate for LVC? LVC can treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. To be a good candidate you should meet the following criteria: • Be at least 18 years of age • Have stable vision for at least one year before LVC • Have healthy eyes that are free of diseases, scars, cataracts, corneal and retinal problems • Be nearsighted or farsighted with or without astigmatism • Be well informed and have realistic expectations • Be in good general health

Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) After your provider numbs your eyes with anesthetic drops, a femtosecond laser is used to create a flap. The surgeon carefully lifts the flap, and in 30 to 60 seconds, high-energy ultraviolet pulses from the excimer laser reshape the internal corneal layers. By adjusting the pattern of the laser beam, the surgeon can treat high levels of nearsightedness, moderate amounts of farsightedness and/or astigmatism. After the cornea has been reshaped, the flap is gently replaced in its original position.

Surface ablation (PRK or LASEK) During surface ablation, the outermost protective layer of the eye, called the epithelium, is removed then the excimer laser is used to contour the front layers of the cornea. Surface ablation is typically associated with a lengthier healing process and more discomfort than LASIK. However, surface ablation requires less instrumentation and avoids the risks associated with creating a corneal flap.

Phakic IOL Phakic IOL procedures are most commonly performed on healthy patients who have high levels of myopia, but are not yet presbyopic, or who have thin corneas that are unsuitable for laser eye surgery. In the phakic IOL procedure, an intraocular lens (IOL) is placed inside the eye but the patient’s natural lens is not removed.

Unlike Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), the natural focusing ability of the eye remains because the natural lens is left unaltered, and the procedure is reversible.

Refractive Lens Exchange

Who performs the surgery?

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is a surgical procedure in which the natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. RLE, sometimes called “clear lens extraction,” is most commonly performed on patients older than 40 who have high levels of hyperopia (better distance vision than near vision).

RLE is also commonly performed on patients who are not good candidates for laser vision correction because of thin or flat corneas or high levels of hyperopia.

When you trust your eyes to Kaiser Permanente LVC services, an experienced team of professionals will care for you. Our refractive surgeons:

Monovision

In addition, some of our refractive surgeons have teaching or surgical privileges at some of the nation’s top academic institutions, including Stanford University and the University of California, San Francisco.

Monovision is a condition in which one eye is slightly nearsighted (myopic) and the other eye is corrected to provide good distance vision. The nearsighted eye focuses well on near objects and can be used for reading or similar activities. The distance-corrected eye can be used for driving, sports, or other activities requiring distance vision. This is a good compromise for people dealing with presbyopia.

• Have many years of ophthalmic/refractive surgery experience • Have additional expertise in specialities ranging from cataract surgery to corneal transplants • Perform thousands of eye and LVC surgeries every year, including on fellow physicians and employees