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Your Visit
Over 35,000 refractive procedures
have been performed at the Shealy Eye Laser Center, since 1978. In
January 1996, with the purchase of our first Excimer, we introduced laser
refractive surgery to our patients mostly from Northeastern Indiana,
Southern Michigan, and Northwestern Ohio. Laser vision correction became
an important addition to our comprehensive refractive surgery program,
including 6,000 radial or incisional keratotomies, 3,000 automated
lamellar keratomileusis, and 6,000 intraocular lens replacements,
performed since 1978.
In 1998 we studied in Mexico under
Dr. Ron Schacher, the surgical reversal of presbyopia (sclera expansion
banding), and also in October 2003 we began performing Conductive
Keratoplasty (NearVison CK) under the Refractec Corporation. This was
found to correct low hyperopia and presbyopia in patients 45 years old,
with good vision their whole life but now only needing reading glasses.
In June 2004, we purchased our
fourth Excimer laser, Allegretto Wave Light for wave front optimized
ablations. The accuracy and range of this new laser has produced "wow,
wow, and wow", satisfactory vision completely surpassing all other
lasers to date in patient-personal satisfaction. Added to this laser in late
2004 was NearVision Conductive Keratoplasty for the reduction of presbyopia in
our laser vision patients and the adoption of the "light touch" technique in
early 2006.
Since 2006, we have data-linked our
outcomes with surprising results. By using the Allegretto Wavelight laser vision correction to advanced
surface treatment or Epi-LASIK, we have reduced our complications to less
than 0.1%. Our retreatment rate has been less than 0.25% due to the accuracy
and outcome of our technology. With all of this new exciting
technology nearly all patients are candidates to experience the dream of
a lifetime of seeing well unaided with freedom or reduced dependence on
eyeglasses and contacts. Our staff and patients are consistently thrilled with
the Allegretto laser's outcomes. It is almost disappointing when we only
have 20/20 on day one - especially when we've come to expect 20/15 in 14
days in most patients with surface Epi-Laser and 20/10 or 20/15 in our
All-Laser LASIK patients on the first post-operative day using the Ziemer
laser.
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History of Shealy
Eye Laser Center
The Shealy Eye Laser Center began it's
involvement in refractive surgery in the early 1990's, with the introduction
of radial keratotomy at our center which was developed by Soviet eye
surgeon, S.N. Fyodorov. Approximately 6,000 RK procedures were performed by
early 1994. At this time Dr. Shealy began performing lamellar procedures
developed by Dr. Luis Ruis and Jose Barraquer to correct higher ranges of
refractive error using automated lamellar microkeratomes. This was also used
successfully to treat all degrees and types of refractive error both
hyperopia and myopia, but in many instances was combined with incisional
keratotomy.
In January 1996, we acquired an Excimer
Laser developed by Theo Seiler, Ph.D., MD, in Erlangen Germany, and we have
used this laser along with the microkeratome as a further improvement in
correction of refractive error. This marked the birth of LASIK or Laser
Assisted Intrastromal Keratomileusis, which we referred to as laser vision
correction.
ALK (Automated Lamellar Keratomileusis) has allowed us to correct nearly
all prescriptions, regardless of the amount of refractive error up to 21.00
diopters of myopia, 7.00 diopters of hyperopia, and 8.00 diopters of
astigmatism. It has been used after radial keratotomy, keratomileusis, and
cataract surgery to further sharpen vision.
Since 1996, we have acquired and
experienced four excimer lasers including Summit Apex Plus, Summit Excimer,
Allegretto, and Nidek Excimers. Each has specific features that allow broad
beam expansion to scanning beams to flying spots with wavefront algorithms.
The Allegretto Wave Front flying spot with a 200-Hertz tracker has produced
a gain of best corrected vision 60% of the time in myopia and 44% of the
time in hyperopia, according to FDA studies. 98% of our patients state that
they see better than they ever saw with glasses or contacts.
Since 2004, we have been performing
additive procedures such as advanced surface ablation, no-cut Epi-LASIK, or
keratome assisted laser vision correction. These allow patients to have
surgery who considered laser vision corrections but were afraid to do such
because of larger prescriptions, dry eyes or thins corneas, and the
invasiveness of intralase or mechanical keratome systems.
Dr. Shealy is one of the first ten surgeons
in the United States to dedicate his practice entirely to laser vision
correction. He has 30 years of experience in ophthalmology and has performed
over 35,000 vision correction procedures.
Dr. Shealy and the Shealy Eye Laser
Center are excited to grow with the technology as it improves and changes,
because it means better care and services for our clients...
"At our center, your care and results are
what matter most!"
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About Our Practice
The Shealy Eye Laser Center is located in
Fort Wayne, Indiana and has performed nearly 35,000 eye surgeries
with 20,000 strictly related to laser vision correction since 1996. Dr.
Shealy was the "Featured Ophthalmologist by the American Board of Eye
Surgery in 2004". The center is first in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan to
offer the Allegretto Wavelight Laser for Wavefront Optimized Ablations and
among the first in America to offer A-Cat or aberrometry-guided Wavelight
Ablations using the Wavelight Ocular Analyzer, the most recently approved
FDA laser upgrade in 2006. This analyzer is linked to the Allegretto Wave
Laser, for treating previous patients with higher order aberrations,
associated with nighttime glare and haloes, from laser treatments.
Our center is solely dedicated to laser
vision correction since 2004, and we use primarily non-invasive Advanced
Surface Ablation for safety-first considerations. This lessens the risk of
ectasia, reduces dry eye side effects, and has been found to be more
upgradeable in the future to presbyopic LASIK, multifocal implants, and
NearVision CK for presbyopia. Our patient demographics are 22% Indiana, 33%
Michigan, 30% Ohio and the balance within the United States and Canada. We
have performed laser vision correction for 50 to 60 service men and women in
the "World-wide war against terrorism."; mostly serving in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
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Mission Statement
of the Shealy Eye Laser Center
Our patients of the Shealy Eye
Laser Center
are the most important visitors on our premises.
As a patient, you are not dependant upon us,
we are dependant upon you.
You are not an interruption of our work;
you are the purpose of it.
You are not considered an outsider to our practice;
you are the most important part of it.
We are not doing you a favor by serving you;
you are doing us a favor by giving us the opportunity to do so.
Welcome to the family of the Shealy Eye Laser Center.
We are dedicated to you, our patient, your family, and your friends,
whom we serve and cherish.
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Our Staff
Our practice is known for its
friendly and knowledgeable staff. Our team consists of hardworking,
compassionate individuals who are committed to giving our patients
nothing less than the best.
Here are the people who make the Shealy Eye Laser Center a success!
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Our Technology
ALLEGRETTO WAVE’s laser employs a proprietary overlapping
method to ensure accurate laser placement, and is one of the ways that
ALLEGRETTO WAVE achieves a rounder, more natural corneal surface than many other
lasers used for vision correction and is capable of producing some of the
largest available optical zones.
The success of the ALLEGRETTO WAVE can be directly measured by our patients’ remarkable improvement in visual acuity and low occurrence of side effects.
Learn all about the
technology that makes it possible for us to offer quality, custom laser vision correction.
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Virtual Tour of Our Facility
We’d like to welcome you to take a Virtual Tour of our center.
In just a few minutes, you can take a look at what is involved
in getting your vision corrected. When you're ready to start the fully automated
tour, click the ad or one of the pictures above.
Where is LASIK or Epi-Laser done?
LASIK or Epi-Laser refractive surgery is performed as an out-patient
procedure at the Kelley-Fyodorov-Seiler Surgical Center, located in the
lower level of the Shealy Eye Laser Center. We have performed more than
35,000 procedures to eliminate eyewear.
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Preparing for the Procedure
The pre-surgical consultation provides a basic orientation to
vision correction surgery; its risks, benefits, alternatives and complications.
A complete examination and specialized testing to determine your candidacy for
surgery will be performed.
Hard contact lenses must be discontinued a minimum of three
weeks prior to this consultation. Soft lenses must be discontinued one
day and soft toric lenses should be discontinued one week prior to surgery. Induced corneal warpage may occur with the use of contact lenses
and postpone surgery until resolution occurs.
Many of our patients come from all across the United States
and travel for many hours. For that reason, we recommend that you consider
having consultation and surgery the same day for your convenience. You can
have your consent form filled out and test completed ahead of time.
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Pre-Op Instructions
Prior to the day of your surgery, you will need to make the
following arrangements:
Hard Contacts - Hard contact lenses must be discontinued a minimum of three weeks prior to the pre-surgical appointment. Soft Contacts - Soft lenses must be discontinued
one day prior surgery, however toric contact lenses must be discontinued one
week before surgery. Makeup - Please discontinue the use of eye makeup at
least three days prior to surgery; one week is best. Do not wear any makeup the
day of surgery. -
Dress - Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing on
the day of the surgery. Please do not wear earrings.
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Time - Plan to be at the Shealy Eye Laser Center for
1 to 3 hours on the day of your surgery.
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Driver - Arrange for a driver on the day of surgery.
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Sedative - Surgery is more patient friendly with the
judicious use of sedatives. Universally, patients will experience some
anxiety prior to their operation. These relaxing agents will be administered
based upon individual patient need.
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Before and After Surgery
Before Surgery
Please register at the front desk upon arrival, the day of
your surgery. Please have your consent form filled out and test completed to
present to our front assistant.
When your surgery time arrives, our surgical coordinator will escort you to the surgery suite and the area
around your eye will be cleaned. The procedure is performed under high magnification with an operating microscope. Topical anesthetic drops are
administered to anesthetize your eye. Patients remain awake and comfortable. The procedure takes approximately
10 minutes
per eye (15 minutes for both eyes), and consists
of making a corneal flap or flapless surgery, being the removal of epithelial
cells. The laser will then be applied to the exposed cornea. In Surface Epi-Laser
a soft contact lens will be placed over each eye and only sunglasses will be
needed for eye protection. With All Laser LASIK, shields will be necessary for
the first three nights to protect the cap or flap.
You will be given a prescription for
oral pain medication for discomfort, if needed. In addition to this
medication, you will be given prescriptions for eye drops that will aid
in the healing of your eye. Instructions for their use and for post
surgical care will be provided. You may return home shortly after
surgery providing a friend or family member drives you home. YOU MUST
NOT DRIVE YOURSELF.
It is recommended that you resume a
normal diet immediately to help avoid stomach upset from the oral
medications.
Most patients are very sleepy after surgery, and for optimum comfort, rest or sleep the remainder of the day.
Your vision will decrease slightly over the next two days as epithelial healing
takes place. Nearly all of our patients drive back to our clinic 2 to 3 days
after surgery
for their post-op exam.
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Restrictions
Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, and getting chlorinated
water in the eyes for one week, avoid lakes or other natural bodies of water
for two weeks. Take extra care when bathing and washing your hair to avoid getting soap and water in the eye for two weeks. Do not use any eye drops or eye wash except as directed by your doctor. Avoid getting shaving lotion, hair spray, etc., in the eyes during the early healing period. There are no restrictions on activities but avoid being hit in the eye.
Safety/sports goggles are recommended for hazardous work or recreational
activities.
On the first day after surgery, you will notice an
improvement in your vision, but it will not be what you expect right away.
Most patients notice a return in their vision 2 to 7 days post operatively.
The soft contact lenses that protect your eyes will be removed between day 2
and day 3 after surgery.
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Possible Side Effects
As with any type of surgery, complications due to refractive surgery are possible. However, since
1974 more than 400,000,000 cases have been performed in the world and serious or long-term complications are rare. The most common side
effects following laser vision correction surgery include:
Light Sensitivity (Vision Fluctuation) - your
eyes may be very light sensitive and change during the stabilization period
(3 weeks). Allegretto Wavefront Optimized ablation has resulted in a 50%
decrease in light sensitivity, halos, and night vision glare in comparison
to the non-operated eyes before surgery subjectively. Glare - has been virtually eliminated with the Allegretto Wavefront Optimized laser
or Allegretto Wavefront Guided laser. Blurred (Cloudy) Vision - occurs during
healing; this is caused by swelling of the
cornea and epithelium. Visual improvement occurs rapidly over the first
few weeks to yield 20/40 or better unaided vision. Regression- almost non existent with the current laser
vision technology. Overcorrection (Under Correction) - patients are
frequently slightly overcorrected initially which may make reading slightly more
difficult for a day or so in the case of nearsightedness, or in the case of
farsightedness distant vision may be slightly more difficult. Overcorrection
occurs rarely and can be corrected with further surgery after three months of
healing to further refine vision; this is commonly known as a re-treatment. The Allegretto Wavefront
Optimized laser has reduced re-treatment rates to 0.25% to 1%. -
Scratchiness
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Irritation (Dryness) - this occurs during the first
few days after surgery, especially the first morning of the day after
surgery. Artificial tears, restasis, punctal occlusion may be necessary.
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Part-Time Glasses - the overwhelming majority of our patients are freed from glasses, both for driving and reading. Low myopes may feel more of a need for reading glasses. If glasses are required, they may be prescribed depending on individual patient preference and need.
We recommend Maui Jim or Polaroid sunglasses after the procedure. The
development of presbyopic procedures, in addition to vision correction
surgery, such as conductive keratoplasty (NearVision CK), and accommodative
intraocular lenses, is growing rapidly and has nearly eliminated the need
for glasses and reading glasses for most of our patients. A recent survey of
our patient population agrees that most of our patients are independent of
glasses about 90% of the time, especially if they tolerate monovision.
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After the Procedure
Patients with All Laser LASIK have their vision quite sharp
the first one to two days after surgery. Patients who have received Epi-Laser
require two to three days to achieve the All Laser LASIK sharpness of
vision. Surface Epi-Laser patients tend to have a better visual outcome two
to three months after surgery as compared to All Laser LASIK patients.
Read more.
We recommend that you take Tylenol or aspirin after surgery
for mild discomfort. In addition to this medication, you will be given
prescriptions for eye drops that will aid in the healing of your eye.
Instructions for their use and for post surgical care will be provided. You
may return home shortly after surgery providing a friend or family member
drives you home. YOU MUST NOT DRIVE YOURSELF.
It is recommended that you resume a normal diet immediately
after surgery. You will be asked to rest for 4 to 5 hours after surgery,
and, for optimum comfort, rest the remainder of the day. Your vision will be
much improved or even normal the next day, for most patients.
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Call for a
FREE consultation!
260-486-0065 or toll free 1-800-644-6393!
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