1. LASIK

2. LASIK is an FDA- approved outpatient procedure that uses the excimer laser to reshape the cornea to correct your vision. LASIK typically takes about 10 minutes to perform on each eye and is one of the most frequently performed healthcare procedures in North America. What is LASIK?

3. Is LASIK Right for You? LASIK can treat people who: Are at least 18 years old Are not pregnant or nursing Are in good general health Have a stable prescription Have no eye diseases

4. Is LASIK Right for You? The best way to determine if you are a candidate for LASIK is with a personal consultation with your eye doctor.

5. LASIK can treat a very broad range of prescriptions for patients who are nearsighted, farsighted and with astigmatism. Your Goal: Normal Vision Your Goal: Normal Vision To see clearly, light rays are focused on the retina by both the cornea, or “window” of the eye, and the lens of the eye.

6. About one in four people in North America are nearsighted. Myopia is the medical term for nearsightedness. Nearsighted In a myopic eye, light rays from objects are focused in front of the retina, causing images – particularly at a distance – to be blurred.

7. Hyperopia is the medical term for farsightedness. This means you usually have trouble seeing up close. In a hyperopic eye, light rays from objects are focused in back of the eye (the retina), causing images – particularly close up – to be blurred. Farsighted

8. People with a high degree of astigmatism have blurred vision for both near and distant objects. With astigmatism, your cornea is oval or “football” shaped. Light rays from objects are focused on more than one point on the retina, causing images to be blurred. Astigmatism

9. Presbyopia Presbyopia is part of the normal process of aging. It develops as the eye loses some of its flexibility. Those who never needed glasses before for distance or near vision may require reading glasses. LASIK does not correct presbyopia, but there are options that may enable you to be less dependent on reading glasses. Ask your eye doctor for more information.

10. Did You Know? † Schallhorn SC and Tanzer DJ. “Comparison of visual outcomes with femtosecond and mechanical microkeratomes for wavefront guided LASIK.” Presented at the AAO annual meeting; November 13, 2006; Las Vegas, NV. Clinical trials have shown more patients achieve 20/20 or better vision with Custom and Bladeless LASIK procedures. † Custom Bladeless LASIK is the most advanced technology that TLC offers today.

11. Custom LASIK Your cornea is like your fingerprint, no two are alike. With Custom LASIK, wavefront technology creates a customized map for each eye. This data map allows for treatments of tiny imperfections in the eye that can have a big impact on your quality of vision. In clinical studies, Custom LASIK has been able to provide patients with: 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. A greater chance of having 20/20 vision.

12. The LASIK Procedure The LASIK procedure consists of two steps. During step one, your surgeon will create a corneal flap. This flap can be created in two ways; using a microkeratome, a mechanical device that utilizes a blade or bladelessly, using a computer controlled laser. With the Bladeless LASIK procedure, the laser accounts for the natural curvature of the cornea, creating a customized flap of uniform thickness.

13. Bladeless LASIK In Bladeless LASIK, your surgeon creates the cornea flap by applying tiny, rapid pulses of laser light. Each pulse of light passes through the top layers of your cornea and forms a microscopic bubble at a specific depth and position within your eye. As the laser moves back and forth across your eye, a layer of bubbles forms just below the corneal surface. Then, your surgeon gently separates the tissue where the bubbles have formed, folding back the flap so they can perform the second step of the LASIK procedure.

14. The LASIK Procedure During the second step, the surgeon uses the laser to reshape your cornea.

15. The LASIK Procedure The laser delivers a pre-programmed number of pulses of “cool” light onto the newly exposed part of the cornea, which is based on your custom testing results. The laser works to reshape microscopic layers of tissue one pulse at a time. Then the surgeon will return the layer of the cornea that they moved in the beginning, back to its original position. Since this thin layer is returned back, it creates a natural seal that makes healing easy.

16. PRK Photorefractive Keratectomy PRK has been performed since 1986. Prior to LASIK, PRK was the most commonly performed laser vision correction procedure. PRK differs from LASIK as it is performed on the surface of the eye and no flap is created during the procedure. Like LASIK, PRK utilizes the excimer laser to reshape the curvature of the eye and treats nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. PRK may be suitable for people with larger pupils, thin corneas, or those who have other corneal issues or dry eyes. Your doctor will recommend which procedure is best for you.

17. After the Procedure Some patients may feel irritation, or may tear or water for a few hours. Most are quite comfortable after a nap and rest while wearing the protective eye shields. The speed of recovery depends on personal healing patterns since patients with higher prescriptions may recover more slowly.

18. TLC Lifetime Commitment  TLC stands behind your vision results with the TLC Lifetime Commitment. The primary benefit of the program is TLC’s assurance that if an enhancement is needed to maintain vision results, patients will receive an enhancement procedure without charge at any TLC Laser Eye Centers location across North America.

19. Making LASIK Affordable Affordable Vision is Within Your Reach We are focused on setting the highest standards of care in the industry, while providing you LASIK at an affordable cost. TLC offers convenient financing options. Customize your loan by selecting the amount you need and your repayment terms. With low monthly payments- what are you waiting for? The best way to determine your cost of LASIK is to schedule a LASIK consultation with your eye doctor.

24. Thinking about Refractive Surgery? Are you ready to take the next step? Ask your Advanced Eyecare doctor for more information. Dr. Smothers-Champley Dr. Rabe Dr. Rubrich Dr. Hedrick Dr. Blackman Dr. Triplett-Janssen