Dr. Privett's Patient Education SiteDr. Privett's Patient Education Site
Thank you for your interest in refractive surgery and other ocular conditions. I created this site as a resource for my patients interested in learning more about exciting treatments available for decreasing their dependence on glasses.
We wear glasses and contacts in order to correct the refractive error of our eyes. Surgery with a focus on decreasing our dependence on glasses and contacts is called refractive surgery. Patients without cataracts may be good candidates for corneal refractive surgery. The most common type of corneal refractive surgery that I perform is iLASIK.
Patients with cataracts may be candidates for refractive cataract surgery. This surgery involves removing the natural lens inside the eye and replacing it with a clear plastic lens. We can correct many refractive errors with cataract surgery. We can also use specially designed lenses to increase the depth of focus, allowing you to have clear distance and near vision.
Brian Privett, MD
Director of Refractive Surgery
Iowa Eye Center
LASIK is an in-office procedure with the goal of decreasing or eliminating the need for glasses or contacts. It works by reshaping the cornea after lifting up a thin flap of tissue. iLASIK is the technology platform used by Iowa Eye Center. With the iLASIK platform, we can measure the custom shape of your cornea with a device called the iDesign. This platform also creates the LASIK flap using a femptosecond laser. The final step of the procedure involves a second laser known as an excimer laser.
We offer a free LASIK screening at our office in order to determine if you are a candidate and to answer questions you may have about the procedure. Call us a 319-362-3937 and ask to schedule your free LASIK screening.
Cataracts are a clouding of the natural lens in our eyes. In our 40s, the natural lens begins to loose its flexibility and ability to adjust the depth of focus. This loss of near focus is known as presbyopia. This is why many people in their 40s begin to require bifocals or reading glasses. In our 60s and 70s cataracts eventually lead to blurry vision and glare. Fortunately, a quick outpatient surgery can remove cataracts forever.
Cataract surgery involves removing your natural lens and replacing it with a new plastic lens called an intraocular lens, or IOL. As technology and surgical techniques improve, eye surgeons now have more options for reducing your dependence on glasses after cataract surgery. Refractive cataract surgery involves taking extra time and steps with the goal of reducing your need for glasses. Cataract surgery can reduce or eliminate nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Special intraocular lenses, such as the Symfony IOL, can even expand your depth of focus which can decrease the need for bifocals or reading glasses.