Are You A Candidate? - Tri County Eye Institute

Ta b l e o f C o n t e n t s
Changingthe way
you see
Page One………………..
A Letter To My Patients
Page Two……………….
Meet Mark Schneider, M.D.
Page Three……………..
Are You A Good Candidate?
Page Four……………….
Common Vision Problems
Page Five………………..
Advanced CustomVue LASIK
Life®
Page Six…………………. The LASIK Consultation
Page Seven……………..
State Of The Art Technology
Page Eight………………
What To Expect The Day Of Your Procedure
Page Nine……………….
Follow-Up Care
Page Ten………………...
Look What Our Patients Are Saying About Us
Page Eleven…………….
Great Vision Is Affordable
One
Meet Mark Schneider, M.D.
Changingthe way
you see
Experience
Life
Dr. Schneider is a board-certified Ophthalmologist. He has been a vision correction specialist
since 1988. He was trained at Loma Linda University, USC-Doheny, and was involved in
neuroretinal research at UCLA.
Dr. Schneider has practiced in the Inland Empire for over 20 years, has over 15 years LASIK
experience, and is well known for his quality of care and caring attitude toward his patients.
Reputation
He was awarded:
“Physician Recognition Award” 1990 and 1996-1999 by the American Medical Association
“Businessman of the Year” 2002 by the Wall Street Journal
“America’s Top Ophthalmologist” 2002-2003 and 2007-2011 by Consumer’s Research Council
“Pioneer Award” by IntraLase for bladeless technology development 2003
“Luminaries Award” of IntraLase technology 2005
Dr. Schneider participated in the FDA clinical trials for the Excimer laser and was on the teaching staff for INTACS corneal
rings in 1999. He has had numerous publications and trained hundreds of eye doctors in the field of refractive surgery.
Some of Dr. Schneider’s professional affiliations include: Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Member of
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, International Society of Refractive Surgeons, American College of
Eye Surgeons, California Association of Ophthalmology, and California Medical Association.
Co m m i t m e n t To S a f e t y
As a specialist in vision correction procedures, Dr. Schneider is able to offer vision corrections other than LASIK, and will
offer the option that is best suited for each individual patient. Patients are evaluated with the most advanced technologies.
Highly trained, experienced staff will perform initial diagnostic pre-testing and preparation for the procedure. This includes
pre-operative instructions, what to expect in the laser suite, and proper care of the eyes after surgery. Dr. Schneider
personally meets with each patient at the time of the initial consultation in order to completely understand individual
visual needs and concerns. He personally checks the eye measurements, and double checks the measurements before the
procedure. This personal attention provided by Dr. Schneider is one of the many demonstrations of his commitment to
every patient’s successful visual outcome.
With the latest technology, Dr. Schneider offers more safety and precision. His laser suite is a complete state-of-the-art
facility with the most advanced laser software available. From the moment you step into the plush and luxurious office you
will feel a sense of comfort and confidence. The highly trained and experienced staff is there to help and guide you through
this life changing experience.
This combination of experience, reputation, technology, safety and integrity is the TriCounty Eye Institute difference. This
is the difference you can trust.
Two
®
A re Yo u A G o o d C a n d i d a t e ?
Changingthe way
you see
Are You A Candidate?
Life
In most cases, the IntraLASIK procedure can treat nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia)
and astigmatism. The patients who fall out of the range of the IntraLASIK procedure can often times be
treated with several of our other vision restoration procedures.
The two most important determining factors in the candidate evaluation process are eye health and
realistic expectations. IntraLASIK is not for everyone.
To be a potential candidate you must be at least 18 years old, in good general health and have good
eye health. During the consultation process a thorough in-depth examination of your eye health will be
performed and we will discuss your visual needs, goals, and expectations.
Lifestyle Changes
Before having their vision corrected, our patients couldn’t imagine waking up in the morning seeing the
alarm clock without glasses. The simple things like making breakfast, shaving, and driving a car were
always a process. “Where are my glasses?” “I can’t find the contact lens solution.”
Now, these same patients have simplified their lives and are pursuing life with more confidence, thanks
to their vision correction procedure. These remarkable procedures, which take only a few minutes to
perform, are truly “Changing the way you see Life.”
Three
®
Common Vision Problems
Myopia
Myopia
(nearsightedness)
Myopia occurs when the eye is too long in relation to the curvature of the cornea.
It causes the light rays entering the eye to focus in front of the retina. The term
“nearsightedness” means that you can see objects that are near to you more clearly
than distant objects.
Hyperopia
Hyperopia
(farsightedness)
Hyperopia occurs when your eye is too short in relation to the curvature of the
cornea. Light rays entering your eye focus behind the retina, producing a blurred
image. Some farsighted patients can use their focusing muscles to pull the image
forward into focus. But others who cannot, need glasses for distance as well as
reading glasses.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism
Many patients with myopia and hyperopia have some degree of astigmatism, or
an oval shape to their cornea. The cornea is shaped more like a football than a
basketball. This causes light entering the eye to focus at multiple points within the
eye, causing blurred and sometimes double vision.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is part of the normal aging process. This occurs when the lens of the eye
loses the flexibility that allowed it to change shape and bring near objects into focus.
Everyone will experience the effects of presbyopia, usually between the ages of 40
and 50.
Mild myopia will counteract presbyopia for a period of time. This is why a patient
in this age group may remove their glasses and be able to read. When laser vision
correction eliminates the myopia, glasses are needed for fine print and small
objects to correct the presbyopia. This is usually in the form of single vision
reading glasses, bifocals, or progressive addition lenses. An option for some
presbyopic patients is monovision.
Monovision has been used for years among contact lens wearers and
is adaptable for some people choosing laser vision correction. With
this technique, the dominant eye (the one in which one would focus a
camera) is generally corrected for distance vision and the non-dominant
eye is focused primarily for close vision. The brain learns how to integrate
the different visual information and soon learns which image to select
for a given visual distance. It doesn’t necessarily mean eliminating glasses
forever. Patients may still chose to fine-tune their vision for fine print or
night vision following surgery. New surgical options to treat presbyopia are
being researched.
Four
Advanced CustomVue LASIK
Wavefront Technology
Not All 20/20 Is The Same
Just like a fingerprint, each person’s vision is 100% unique to their eyes. Several types of visual
imperfections exist within the eye and may affect the clarity of the vision and how well you
see at night or in dim light. Unless these imperfections are addressed, the quality of the
visual result you achieve with LASIK may not be ideal, even if you have measurable vision
of 20/20.
Until now, conventional LASIK could only correct the visual distortions caused by
nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Doctors were only able to use standard
measurements to correct vision. These were the same type of measurements used to prescribe
glasses and contact lenses, meaning that prescriptions could only provide a certain level of correction regardless
of an individual’s needs.
CustomVue LASIK is a procedure that enables Dr. Schneider to customize the conventional LASIK procedure to
your individual eyes, providing the potential to experience better vision than possible with glasses or contact
lenses. It enables Dr. Schneider to measure and correct the imperfections that are unique to each individual’s
eye 25 times more precisely than standard methods used for glasses and contact lenses.
The WaveScan WaveFront system uses a wavefront analyzer to measure the way light travels through your
eye.
The
wavefront analyzer creates a customized 3-D map of your eye that looks at your entire
optical system. This map provides information about the unique visual characteristics
of your eye which adds an additional level of data about your vision. This data is
saved on a computer disk and transferred to the excimer laser where it is guided
by eye tracking technology. The eye tracker follows the eye’s tiniest movements
and automatically repositions the laser beam to focus exactly where Dr. Schneider
wants it. The cornea is reshaped to each individual’s unique custom correction.
Five
The LASIK Consultation
Contact Lenses
The complimentary consultation is one of the most
complete examinations you will ever have. A series of
tests will be performed that will help determine if you
are a good candidate for a vision correction procedure.
Contact lenses need to be removed for a period of time
prior to the procedure because they can distort the
shape of the cornea.
contact lens – These are made of soft,
• Soft
water-absorbing plastic that creates minimal
Your consultation will include:
Visual acuity – a measurement of your vision with
and without correction at distance and near.
Autorefraction – an automatic measurement of the
amount of refractive error.
Topography – a multi-dimensional study of the
surfaces and layers of the cornea.
Wavefront Custom WaveScan – a measurement
that identifies and measures imperfections that are
unique to an individual, 25 times more precisely than
standard methods used for glasses and contacts.
Pachymetry – a measurement of the thickness of
the cornea.
Tonometry – a measurement of the intra-ocular
pressure, commonly referred to as a “glaucoma test.”
Biomicroscopy – a microscopic examination of the
front segment of the eye.
Eye dominance – determination of the tendency to
use one eye more than the other when looking at
distant objects.
Ophthalmoscopy – an examination of the retina.
Pupil exam – determination of the size, shape, and
reaction of the pupil.
•
•
•
•
distortion in the cornea because of the soft
material and spherical shape. Soft lenses should
be discontinued for one week prior to LASIK to
allow the cornea to return to a natural shape.
toric – These lenses are made of the same
• Soft
material as spherical soft contact lenses, but
due to a difference in design, have two powers
in them and are able to correct astigmatism in
addition to nearsightedness or farsightedness.
There is also a mechanism that keeps the
lens from rotating on the eye. Because of this
mechanism, there may be more distortion in the
shape of the cornea and these lenses should be
discontinued for 2 weeks prior to LASIK.
•
•
•
•
permeable – These are rigid lenses.
• Gas
However, silicone was incorporated in the lens
•
•
to make them more flexible and allow oxygen
to pass through the lens resulting in better eye
health and more comfort. These lenses should
be discontinued for at least 2 to 4 weeks prior to
LASIK because of the amount of distortion they
create in the cornea. The time period may vary
from patient to patient depending on wearing
time and the number of years worn.
One of the procedures performed during the consultation is a corneal
mapping called topography. This gives important information about the
shape of the cornea. A stable and normal topography is essential prior to
your vision correction procedure.
– These rigid lenses are made of
• PMMA/hard
hard PMMA plastic that does not allow oxygen
TOPOGRAPHY MAP
to pass through the lens. They are also difficult
to get used to and somewhat uncomfortable.
Because of the increased amount of corneal
distortion these lenses must be discontinued at
least 4 to 6 weeks prior to LASIK and sometimes
longer. For the most part these lenses are
obsolete today.
Six
State- O f - T h e - A r t Te c h n o l o g y
IntraLASIK
Other Options
Implantable Contact Lens
An artificial lens that is implanted inside of the
eye without removing the natural lens of the
eye.
INTACS
An acrylic, corneal insert implanted between
layers of the cornea most commonly used to
treat keratoconus.
ReSTOR®
A multifocal intraocular lens implant that
replaces the natural lens of the eye.
Clear Lens Extraction
The removal of the clear, non-cataractous lens
of the eye as a refractive procedure, with or
without an intraocular lens implant.
PRK
Reshaping the cornea to eliminate refractive
error by superficial surface ablation.
CK
The controlled release of radio frequency
energy to reshape the cornea for treatment of
presbyopia.
Dr. Mark Schneider is proud to have been one of the first surgeons in the
United States to offer this next generation, advanced laser technology to
create the corneal flap, the important first step in the LASIK procedure.
LASIK involves two steps. The first is the creation of a hinged flap of
thin corneal tissue. IntraLASIK (derived from the combined use of the
IntraLase laser and excimer laser in the LASIK procedure) has elevated
the first step of the procedure to a new level of safety and precision.
The flap is created with a femtosecond laser rather than a mechanical
microkeratome with a metal blade. The advantages that the IntraLASIK,
all-laser approach provide include more safety and predictability, more
accurate flap thickness, more precise positioning of the flap, and much
lower probability of flap complications.
Next, the flap is lifted and the underlying corneal tissue is reshaped
with conventional excimer laser ablation or wave-front guided custom
technology. The surgeon then replaces the corneal flap over the treated
area where it bonds securely without the need for stitches. Most patients
experience very little, if any, discomfort during or after the procedure.
Functional vision returns very rapidly. Most patients are able to see well
enough to drive without glasses the day after surgery. Most patients
elect to have IntraLASIK performed on both eyes the same day. Recent
studies have shown IntraLASIK to be more favorable than LASIK with
a mechanical microkeratome in providing vision with better contrast
sensitivity.
THE 4TH GENER ATION INTR AL ASE® FS L ASER
T O TA L T I M E : 1 5 - 3 0 S E CO N D S
The ultra-fast laser uses an infrared light beam, generating up to 60,000 pulses per second, to prepare an
optimal corneal architecture below the flap.
Using an “inside-out” process, the IntraLase laser is
precisely focused to a point within the cornea where
thousands of microscopic bubbles are formed to
define the architecture of the intracorneal surface and
the resulting flap.
The surgeon controls the flap diameter depth, hinge
location and width, and side-cut architecture – factors that can be varied per patient. Bubbles are then
stacked along the edge up to the corneal surface to
complete step one.
The physician then exposes the prepared corneal bed for
excimer laser treatment by lifting the flap. The LASIK procedure
is complete when the flap is securely repositioned on its
beveled edge.
L ASIK WITH THE INTR AL ASE METHOD™ EMERGING AS THE GOLD STANDARD
Seven
W h a t To E x p e c t
The Day Of Your Procedure
Arrival
On the day of your procedure, you should arrive as rested and relaxed
as possible. There are no restrictions on eating or drinking with the
exception of caffeine or alcohol consumption. These should be
avoided as they can interfere with the pre and post-op medications.
Wear comfortable clothing and bring a light sweater or sweatshirt as
the laser suite may feel cool to some people. On your procedure day
do not wear facial cream or make-up. Prior to the procedure, you will
be given an oral sedative, and anesthetic eye drops will be placed in
the eyes.
Dr. Schneider will re-examine your eyes, review your corneal and
WaveScan maps and make any necessary final adjustments to your
treatment plan.
The Laser Suite
You will be escorted to the laser suite and be asked to lie down
on our procedure bed. Additional anesthetic drops will be placed
in your eyes. There is a comfortable family viewing room adjacent
to the laser suite where your family can see your procedure being
performed on our video monitors.
The first step in the reshaping of the eye is the creation of the
corneal flap. This is accomplished with the IntraLase laser. This is
the only true blade free technique. Dr. Schneider uses it exclusively
because of the superior results and safety it provides. You will feel
a slight pressure sensation as the special focusing device positions
the eye. This portion of the procedure lasts 20 seconds. The pressure
is usually described as “slightly uncomfortable.” At the end of the 20
second period, the focusing device is removed and the corneal flap
is created.
Reshaping The Cornea
Dr. Schneider will carefully position the bed so that your eye is
precisely aligned under the microscope and aiming beam of the
laser. In order to prevent blinking, a simple device is used to keep the
eyelids open. There will be no discomfort during this second step.
You will be directed to look at a red focusing light. The laser’s eye
tracking system will follow any tiny movements of the eye. As the
laser reshapes your eye, you will hear a snapping sound generated
by the laser, but you will feel nothing. Most laser applications last
less than 30 seconds. At the end of the treatment, the corneal flap
will be carefully replaced in perfect position.
Eight
TRICOUNT Y EYE INSTITUTE
Follow-Up Care
After LASIK
When you leave the office, you should go home and rest. It is unlikely that you will have much
discomfort after surgery, but there may be mild irritation or a scratchy feeling that can last 3 to 4
hours. The relaxing medication given to you at the office will help you to relax in order to sleep
through this phase. You will be given prescription eye drops to use. It is important that you follow the
eye drop instructions exactly as directed.
Visual Recovery
LASIK surgery affords rapid visual recovery. It is likely that you will be able to drive the day after the
procedure. Most patients return to work the next day. The vision will be clear, and will continue to
improve over the next few weeks. Everyone heals at a different rate. Complete recovery of vision and
stability typically occurs after about 3 months. The final outcome may be achieved sooner for some
than others, longer in high levels of myopia and hyperopia.
Follow-Up Care
Proper follow-up care is just as important
to your results as the actual procedure. For
this reason, all of your post-op visits will be
performed at one of our facilities. Only then
can we be assured that the highest standard of
care will be provided. At the post-op visits, the
vision will be checked and an examination of
the corneal healing will be performed with the
biomicroscope. The office visit is generally 5 to
10 minutes.
The normal schedule of visits are:
1 day
1 week
1 month
3 months
6 months
If for any reason a different
schedule is necessary you
will be advised by one of
our doctors.
Changingthe way
you see
Nine
Life
®
L o o k W h at O u r Pat i e nt s
Are Saying About Us
It’s so wonderful to be able to see the alarm clock every morning, exercise without
glasses, and do so many other things “glasses free”!! It’s so amazing that the procedure
takes 10 minutes or so. Thank you for your expertise, patience, and dedication to your
profession. Thank you for the blessing of sight!
Mary
Fabulous, Fabulous, Fabulous. Life should be as easy as this surgery and people as friendly
and warm as all Dr. Schneider’s staff. It was a great experience.
Julie
The service was fantastic. I had gone to 2 other laser offices and then met two
people who had come to Dr. Schneider and loved it! I am so glad I came
to TriCounty Eye Institute. I can’t believe that I am writing this without
glasses and that I can actually read it. It is so clear! Dr. Schneider is the
greatest. He took care of me himself from start to finish. I didn’t have
to see other doctors. The staff is the best. They made me feel so comfortable and special. Thanks again.
Sue
Thank you for the wonderful gift! I can see without glasses! My experience
has been so positive. The procedure is relatively painless and the staff is so
very nice. They are the best! Thanks for making this such a positive experience. I am thankful every day when I wake up and don’t need glasses after wearing them for 30 years.
Agnes
I want to express my sincere appreciation for the excellent treatment and service
I received as your patient. The expertise, compassion, and professionalism of your
center is superb. Never have I imagined that a medical experience would be such
a pleasure or have such awesome results. The staff here is first rate and the
results are fabulous. I look forward to referring friends and family to you in
the future.
Brian
My experience here has been a great one! It’s wonderful to see long
distances in such fine detail. The surgery was painless and the healing
process has been easy and maintenance free. I would recommend the
surgery to all that desire new vision. The staff here is kind and caring
from start to finish, and they give you great cookies!
Karen
It’s been a year since my LASIK surgery. I still can’t believe that my vision
is 20/15. It was worth every penny I spent to have this procedure.
Joe
You have surpassed Disneyland for the “Happiest Place on Earth” position. Thank
you ALL so much for your smiles, your touch and your caring. Seeing all the details of your
beautiful faces is such a gift.
Dena
Ten
Great Vision Is Affordable
TriCounty Eye Institute makes vision correction affordable for any budget by
offering options to assist you in paying for your LASIK procedure.
Insurance
Vision benefits vary from one insurance plan to the next. TriCounty Eye Institute has contracted with several vision insurance
companies that could reduce your cost for surgery. Some of the larger companies include: VSP, Eyemed, Spectera, and United Health
Care. Our LASIK counselor will be happy to work with you to determine how your plan works and how it may help you save.
Flex Spending Accounts
Many employers offer flexible spending accounts (also called Flexible Benefits programs or Cafeteria Plans) to help offset the cost
of medical expenses. These accounts allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars for certain medical costs, including LASIK. Ask your
employer about flex spending accounts to realize savings on your laser vision correction.
Tax Benefits
LASIK may also be tax deductible, depending on your filing status. Your accountant will be able to tell you if this applies to you.
Many people also use their tax refunds to cover the cost of LASIK. This is a refund that can last a lifetime.
Credit Cards
Many patients choose to pay for LASIK with a personal credit card. This can be a good option, especially if you have
a credit card with a rebate or rewards program. You may also have an interest rate that is lower than most
conventional financing. TriCounty Eye Institute accepts all major credit cards.
Financing
TriCounty Eye Institute offers a variety of paymet plans which allow you to begin your procedure immediately, and then pay for it
over time with monthly payments that will fit into any budget. Go to www.tricountyeyeinstitute.com and check our links.
No Down, No Interest Plans
6, 12, 18 and 24 -month options
No interest if the balance is paid within the specified time period
Low minimum monthly payments as low as $65.00 per eye
Extended Payment Plans
24, 36, 48 and 60-month options
Monthly payments as low as $50.00 per eye for 60 months
No penalty for prepayment
Eleven