I wish you could see clearly the smile of your beloved person.
I wish you could see each leaf on a tree far away from you.
And feeling along a bedside cabinet in the morning has become henceforth as obsolete as flipping through a directory.
How can the procedure of laser vision correction give me a better field of vision?
You’ll say: OK. I wish to have a considerably better vision acuity without wearing glasses! But how to attain it?
How is such a procedure of vision defect correction performed? Does it hurt? What are the risks? yYou will actually ask those questions
Watch the story of Sylvia below. Sylwia came to us to have her vision defect corrected.
- What is the procedure of laser vision correction at our center like? – from the eligibility visit, through the procedure until a check-up.
- Does the procedure hurt? (our surgeon will give an answer)
- How much time does it take to recover after a procedure of vision defect correction?
And below please find an extended article with much information on laser vision correction with the contents to which you can go back.
Table of contents
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1. What is the laser vision correction procedure? What vision defects do we remove?
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2. Stages that separate you from seeing clearly:
- Step I – Qualifying tests
- Step II – Treatment
- Step III – Convalescence
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5. Why don’t ophthalmologists correct their own eyesight? Here’s how we “take” our own medicine.
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6. Frequently asked questions:
- Does laser vision correction ache?
- Are the effects of the procedure permanent?
- Healing – how long will it take?
- Procedural methods – how do they differ among one another?
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8. Who invented laser vision correction and why? History of vision defect correction
What is the vision defect treatment?
A laser vision correction consists in a very accurate modelling of your eye surface with a beam of cold laser, and in consequence we get such a shape which will allow you to see sharp pictures.
If you suffer from myopia, the cornea surface has to be slightly flattened, and in case of hyperopia – to be made convex. If you should also have astigmatism, the eye surface has to be smoothened. Laser is used to correct such imperfections so that the surface of your eye should be shaped into a smooth ball, free of roughness. In such a way we eliminate vision defects.
Thanks to this, you will see everything clearly after the procedure without glasses or contact lenses.
At Blikpol, we correct:
Nearsightedness up to approximately -13 diopters,
Farsightedness up to approximately +6 diopters,
Astigmatism up to approximately 6 cylinders.
What is important, vision defects in both the eyes may differ from each other and be complex e.g., myopia with astigmatism. Each procedure we perform is a very individual action.
Irrespective of the extent and complexity of your vision defect, our goal is to set you free from using glasses or contact lenses – forever.
And what is extremely important, the procedure of correction is painless, performed under local anesthesia (drops – yes! That’s absolutely enough😉).
Qualification
Eye Surgery
Recovery
Laser vision correction – first and foremost: do no harm!
We would not perform such procedures if we were not absolutely convinced about your safety, Dear Patients.
Procedures aimed at removing vision defects have been carried out worldwide for 30 years; they have been already subject to a few generations of improvements and rationalization. Evolution has covered both the methods and equipment. In total, taking all methods of laser vision corrections worldwide, there have been executed approx. 100 million procedures. Among others, Pitt, Nicole Kidman, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lebron James, Tiger Woods have had their vision defects corrected.
This is a consequence of a minimum risk of complications, incomparably lower than in the case of classic in-hospital interventions. For example, the risk of infection itself after a laser vision correction procedure is incomparably lower than in the case of wearing contact lenses.
But first things first. The most frequent fear is a risk of losing one’s sight. ‘Might I become blind’? -obviously this is the most common question asked. We would like to put your mind at ease – NO.
With a procedure of laser vision correction corrected is the eye surface, the so-called cornea. A laser will not penetrate at all the deeper eye structures or nearby the optic nerve. We also take great care of aseptic techniques and antiseptics (sterility, hygienic procedures) for the entire time of removing a vision defect.
‘Can I damage something during the procedure?’ And if I move my eye?
Both our lasers are ‘packed’ with automatic safety control devices. For example, during the procedure, your eyes are being monitored by the so-called eye trackers and before each impulse they check whether some characteristic points in the iris are located where they should be ‘found’. Otherwise, the laser will be stopped and remain on standby.
We would like to stress it with majuscules. Your safety is our absolute priority. ’Primum non nocere’ is a value we go by every day.
That is why a relatively large number of people, viz. approx. 1/3 of them, are not eligible for our procedures, for instance, because of corneal parameters or various counterindications.
The technologies we have chosen for correction are those selected by the NASA or US army for vision correction among their staff, crews or airmen. We ourselves are exacting, and for us such a recommendation is an additional sign of quality.
We will remove your vision defect. Forever.
Our patients tell us that they enjoy various little things after the procedure:
- They no longer have to grope for their glasses in the morning.
- They can see their spouse next to them in bed. And they can really see them. And they say they look great in the morning too.
- They can do perfect makeup in front of a mirror half a meter away.
- They no longer suffer from dry, red, and tired eyes from wearing contact lenses.
- They can swim like a human in a pool without the fear of losing a contact lens.
- They no longer have intrusive thoughts during travels: “Do I have spare lenses, solution, glasses?”
- They forget about the daily hassle of putting on and taking off contact lenses.
- They marvel at the beauty of every detail every day! Just like that! – a tiny bud on a tree, a ladybug, a wrinkle on the face of a loved one, a smile from a dog or a cat…
Or a child… or THEIR OWN… without glasses!
Don’t worry.Coming to us for qualification DOES NOT MEAN that you have to schedule a procedure.
We want you to make the decision about laser vision correction in your own time, without pressure.
However, qualification is the best opportunity to talk to our doctor about your concerns.
Why don’t ophthalmologists have their vision defects corrected? Sure?
Actually, not seldom will you meet an ophthalmologist, or a specialist involved in the ‘eye’ branch wearing glasses; whose attitude towards procedures of removing vision defects is…. skeptical.
It arises, among other things, from the fact that, as ophthalmologists say, a vision defect is not a disease. While studying at the medical university they are taught that only diseases are treated. In other words, a remedy for defects means glasses, contact lenses – and this subject is closed.
Few ophthalmologists, if any, has had in their practice an opportunity to see with their own eyes procedures of laser vision defects, or to hear about contemporary lasers, technologies aimed at ensuring the patients’ safety etc.
On the other hand, we can see how such opinions are subject to systematic changes as more and more patients, subject to procedures of vision defect correction, talk to their ‘first contact eye specialist’ and share their impressions.
We are not the shoemaker’s sons who go barefoot.
Doctor Czuszyński removed a vision defect in Doctor Aniśko, and Doctor Aniśko performed a procedure on Doctor Jurska. Also, for example, our manager or our accountant have undergone some correction 😊 Like many our relations and friends. Are you curious about what our staff had to say?
And it eventually came true – and I did actually hate my glasses, this restricted field of vision – so I say ‘gosh’… it’s time to start with myself.
Dr Judyta
Aniśko-Słomińska
‘I was about to undergo this procedure as early as at the first year of my university studies, but I was tarrying – perhaps because of exams, or I might have been then afraid a little. Anyway, I still considered a possibility of having my vision defect corrected.
Before it would have never crossed my mind that I might be ever so much involved in vision correction procedures.I dreamt of performing such a surgery; however, it seemed remote and unfeasible to me.
At Blikpol, I have already performed various eyes examinations, and while being still at the former seat at Jana z Kolna street, I also would come to Witek (note: Doctor Witold Czuszyński) to take a look at eligibility tests, check-ups, procedures – I was very curious about them. I actually used to take a closer look at them, although initially I lacked the courage to start performing procedures by myself. I looked at the patients in such a way that… on one day they had a vision defect, and the other no more.
It eventually came true – and I did actually hate my glasses; they restricted my field of vision – so I say ‘gosh’… it’s time to start with myself. It’s true that most ophthalmologists, unfortunately, have not been directly involved in such treatments. It was a gift of fate to me seeing how Witek’s patients were satisfied after treatments.
So, I came to him with a request of performing eligibility test. He said he would do it with pleasure. And so it was…
I had no stress since I had seen enough of those treatments and got the hang of it.
While lying under a laser, such thoughts came to me: ‘90 microns, got it?. (a 90-micron flake. What a progress! ‘I’m serious (smile)
And it was great. So, I have become more involved in it, and nowadays I myself try to give this exceptional chance for regaining vision to our Patient.
Ania Adamczyk (Blikpol Manager)
I was doomed to contact lenses for all my teenager’s life – until my 27th birthday. I loathed the glasses, since they hindered me considerably whereas I lived an active life and practiced sports.
The worst time occurred when I was studying at the AWFiS I and we had swimming classes. Despite using my lenses in the pool (although nowadays I know that lenses and swimming pool don’t go well together) each leakage in the goggles was troublesome and I risked losing ‘a small glass’. As soon as I had learned about something like a laser vision defect correction, I knew I would once undergo such a procedure.
On the day of surgery, I left the surgery around an hour after I was already able to see amazingly well. When I had been hit by myopia while attending the secondary school, no longer was I able to discern the number on the bus standing in front of me, and as early as one hour after the procedure I was able to read our car number plates from a 4th floor window!
And then it was a nice summer; a day after the surgery I woke up as early as at 4 am. For being excited I was not able to sleep any longer and I walked my dog. We were strolling for an hour, and me as if I were a veritable freak, searched for the most remote inscriptions on the building and read them out. I managed to discern some details located far away which I had been unable to see wearing y lenses. As early as 2 weeks after the procedure I conducted spinning classes. Before I was at pains to discern the number of a composition on the player during the lasses. And now I did see it clearly, without any problem!
For the first three months I was still used to going to the bathroom to get my lenses off since I felt as if I had them still in my eyes. Since the treatment, I haven’t had any episode of conjunctivitis which would regularly occur in the last two-year time of using the lenses. Instead, the impression of amazing vision during my first morning stroll has been branded my mind.
Important questions and answers
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Laser vision correction allows you to effectively get rid of myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism. As our patients admit, the improvement in their quality of life thanks to the procedure is absolutely invaluable. 98% of patients after the procedure see as well or better than they could see with glasses or contact lenses before the procedure. However, even if after the healing period the effect is unsatisfactory for you – then we carry out the so-called correction. For the first year after the procedure, such a correction is free of charge. We believe that if you qualify for the procedure, we can give you a satisfactory result.
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Yes, the effects of laser vision correction treatments are permanent. However, our doctors will surely explain to you that after the age of 40, the so-called presbyopia, or colloquially speaking – the ‘too short arm’ syndrome. It forces the use of glasses for e.g. reading. It is an age-related process and independent of vision defects.
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The process of full healing after vision correction lasts up to 12 months. Don’t panic – it doesn’t mean that you have to wait so long for the effects of the treatment. The result, depending on the chosen method, should be fully visible in the first days after the correction.
However, the visual acuity itself in the months after correction may fluctuate, you may observe flares around light sources at night or increased dryness of the eyes. Over time and healing, these effects decrease until they disappear. -
Particular treatment methods differ, among others, in the range of defects that can be corrected, in the speed of healing, or in the more frequent appearance of certain phenomena during the healing period. Sometimes certain parameters of your eyes, e.g. corneal thickness, determine which methods can be applied to you and which cannot. However, the differences will be best explained by the doctor during the qualification, because he will be able to rely on specifics – your test results – and on their basis tell what you can expect from a given method.
Can laser vision correction be paid in installments? Is it possible through the National Health Fund (NFZ)?
Unfortunately, laser vision correction procedures are not reimbursed by the National Health Fund (NFZ).
This is certainly a problem for many people who would like to undergo such a procedure.
We try to address this by offering the option to spread payments into convenient installments, in the quantity chosen by you. The entire process of obtaining financing in installments through MediRaty or one of the banks cooperating with us is simple. Usually, within one hour, our patients receive a decision. On procedure days, when we conduct one-day procedures, we often fill out applications after qualification, and before the afternoon procedure, all formalities are long settled.
Moreover, it’s worth noting – how often do you replace glasses or how much do you spend on contact lenses and lens solution on average each year.
Because the effects of laser vision correction are permanent – you will save on the above costs for many years to come. And the younger you are at the time of correcting your vision, the greater these savings will be.
History of Laser Eye Surgery
If someone asked you, “How do you think scientists came to the conclusion that it’s possible to permanently correct vision problems? How were the technologies needed for correction developed?” Your initial reaction, much like most of us, might be to assume that some brilliant minds had such a vision and eventually arrived at it after extensive research. Right? Wrong!
The modern laser vision correction owes its existence to coincidences and accidents. One of the first such incidents occurred in Russia in the early 1970s. A boy injured his eye due to a fall, most likely from glass shards from broken glasses. Surprisingly, the boy, much to everyone’s astonishment, found that he could see much better after the accident.
A Russian ophthalmologist, Slava Fyodorov, became very interested in this fact. He began to investigate the possible reasons for this improvement. It turned out that the cuts changed the shape of the boy’s cornea, who suffered from high myopia. Armed with this knowledge, he started an experimental method of correcting vision with precise incisions, known as radial keratotomy. This method laid the foundation for the later idea of laser vision correction.
Meanwhile, across the ocean, Americans were working on an extraordinary invention. It was about a specific type of “cool” laser that generated its power in the ultraviolet light spectrum. A new solution in the medical industry? Not exactly. It was supposed to aid in the production of computer microchips. It was later called… an excimer laser. Again, the exceptionally beneficial application in ophthalmology was discovered entirely by accident. Over the next 10 years, efforts were made to adapt such a laser for human vision correction. In 1988, as part of FDA research, the first PRK surgery in the USA was performed on a seeing eye by Dr. Marguerite McDonald.
Space Test
In the following decades, in the 1990s and 2000s, many new methods were developed, new generations of lasers and diagnostics emerged. Who could have been the strictest verifier of laser vision correction?
Naval servicemen, special forces units, or US Air Force pilots must see at very close and very long distances. Water, night, day, lights, flashes, indicators, dust, fog. Vision must be perfect in every situation. Similarly, astronauts, from shuttle launch to return to Earth, face extreme conditions. From powerful accelerations at launch to weightlessness – they must be ready for everything. Their work requires perfect vision quality and the ability to work under prolonged stress (also eye stress). In case of any ailments, astronauts have no nearby clinics or hospitals. Therefore, when verifying the results of laser vision correction, NASA had to be absolutely 100% sure that laser vision correction itself is sufficiently safe and effective. And among the selected methods and devices, they would choose the best possible combination.
After extremely rigorous and countless tests and analyses, NASA, like the US Navy and the US Air Force, accepted the use of advanced LASIK, or iLASIK, for the correction of their astronauts’ vision. For many years, NASA has performed the procedure for the entire staff, from space mission commanders to pilots and other specialists. The lasers used for this purpose are VISX and iFS (belonging to AMO, currently Johnson & Johnson Vision).
Today, as of 2022, around 100 million laser vision correction procedures have been performed worldwide, with a vast majority conducted on VISX devices. With over 15 million LASIK procedures in the United States alone, this procedure is the most frequently chosen voluntary corrective procedure, far ahead of “nose plastic surgery.”
Laser vision correction makes the world beautiful!
As a team at Blikpol, we believe that it shouldn’t be the norm for society to start each day by groping around the bedside table for glasses. Not at an increasingly younger age, and certainly not for an increasing number of people.
And it certainly doesn’t have to be the case that turning down invitations for sports activities with friends becomes a daily occurrence. Nor does giving up on professional or hobby dreams have to be a sad necessity.
Every week, we eliminate your vision problems because we want the world of our patients to be clearer and more joyful. We love doing it.
To paraphrase a classic, we will sharpen your vision to the ends of the earth—and one day longer!
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