Vision After RK Surgery
Specialty Contact Lenses Provide Clear Vision Following RK Surgery
Improving Vision After RK Surgery
Where Advanced Technology Meets Compassionate Care
RK (radial keratotomy) was the first popularized corneal refractive surgery for the correction of myopia. During a RK procedure, incisions are cut into the cornea in a radial pattern, which re-shapes and flattens the cornea.
Patients who have had RK surgery frequently experience farsightedness and/or fluctuating vision during the day. Additionally, RK surgery results in irregularly shaped corneas. Consequently, soft contact lenses and glasses are typically not effective in optimally correcting vision for corneas that have been altered by RK surgery.
Since scleral contact lenses will vault over the irregularities caused by RK surgery, any vision changes experienced throughout the day are masked. This results in clear vision, all day long.
At Charlotte Contact Lens Institute, we have advanced technology that is specifically designed to help patients who have undergone radial keratotomy in the past. We have specific and unique pieces of equipment that are designed to collect 240,000 data points on the shape of the cornea. If a specialty contact lens is determined as the best treatment option, it is this cutting-edge technology which allows us to design a truly customized specialty contact lens specific for an eye that has undergone RK.
Optimizing Vision After
RK Surgery
At Charlotte Contact Lens Institute, our doctors have the experience and technology required, in order to consider a wide variety of treatment options. In many cases scleral lenses and/or other types of specialty contact lenses are the preferred treatment option for individuals looking to optimize their vision following a RK surgery.
At its peak in the 1980s and 1990s, approximately 250,000 RK procedures were performed annually in the United States. RK procedures are no longer popular today, but there are millions of individuals in the US who already have had this surgery performed.
As mentioned above, scleral lenses are not always the preferred treatment option, but if/when they are, listed below are the benefits to scleral lenses in post-RK patients.
- Adaptability – Scleral lenses are versatile and can be tailored to address various vision issues, including astigmatism and higher-order aberrations that may persist after RK.
- Reduced Glare and Halos – RK patients may sometimes experience glare or halos, especially in low-light conditions. Scleral lenses can help minimize these visual disturbances, enhancing overall visual comfort.
- Optimal Comfort – Scleral lenses vault over the cornea, creating a reservoir of hydrating saline solution that keeps the eye moisturized throughout the day. This feature is particularly beneficial for individuals with dry eyes, a common concern post-RK.
- Stable Vision – Scleral contact lenses offer a stable vision solution for patients with post-RK surgery, as they vault over the cornea. This unique design ensures that the vision remains consistent throughout the day, countering the typical bending and fluctuating experienced with RK-altered corneas.
Curious if scleral lenses and/or another type of treatment option are the right fit to optimize your vision after a RK surgery? We are available for a free phone consultation to discuss your specific situation, and can be reached at (704) 800-5230 or hello@charlottecontactlens.com.
Why Choose Charlotte Contact Lens Institute
for Optimizing Vision Following RK Surgery?
The Team
The team at Charlotte Contact Lens Institute are experts in correcting vision in eyes which have undergone RK surgery, even if there were complications, or the surgery was decades ago.
Advanced Technology
Our office is one of a few practices in the country that is equipped with the Pentacam AXL Wave and Optovue Solix OCT, which greatly aid in the design of solutions following a RK surgical procedure.
Unlimited Answers
We allow for enough time for thorough comprehensive exams, and plenty of time for answering questions. No rushing in and out here.
We Focus on Unique Eyes
Our office is equipped to offer advanced specialty contact lenses to individuals who require tailored and custom-designed solutions.
Access to the Doctor
Our doctors are available to answer questions you have after your exam, and will make sure you have the information needed in order to ensure the best possible outcome.
Affordability
We keep our overhead costs low and offer very competitive prices as a result. We have monthly payment options available and also accept CareCredit™, HSA, & FSA.
Summary
Our doctors are nationally recognized for their expertise in utilizing specialty contact lenses, and one use of these lenses is to optimize vision following RK surgery. Our doctors have focused their career on the latest applications and options for fitting specialty contact lenses and they regularly present to other doctors at both local and national meetings.
During an initial comprehensive exam, the doctor will discuss all available options, including the use of scleral contact lenses for improving vision after RK surgery. One of the benefits of visiting Charlotte Contact Lens Institute is the amount of one-on-one time with the doctor, which allows for plenty of time to ask questions and evaluate all options.