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Home , Cataract surgery, Eye examination, Eye surgery, Laser surgery, LASIK

ALL ABOUT LASIK Table of Contents 3 Your LASIK Research Starts Here

4 Why Choose Medical Center?

6 Our

8 Understanding Vision

10 LASIK vs. Contact Lenses

12 Our Advanced Technology

14 The 3 Steps of LASIK

16 LASIK Alternatives

18 Importance of the LASIK Examination

20 Common Questions About LASIK

22 What to Expect with LASIK

24 Ocular Surface Health & LASIK

25 Treatment Options

26 What Our Patients Are Saying

28 Payment and Pricing

30 Give Sight, Give Life

32 Donate Your

33 Are You Ready?

2 Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK YOUR LASIK RESEARCH STARTS HERE

Having vision correction is a big decision. Like most people, you probably have many This booklet will help answer some questions. We’ve assembled comprehensive of your questions, such as: information in this booklet to aid in your research process. We encourage you to • How does LASIK work? read through these pages so that you feel • How safe is it? comfortable with the process and with choosing • Can I afford LASIK? Medical Eye Center for your LASIK procedure. • How do I choose a ? Your comfort and confidence are very important to us and we want your experience with us to be positive from beginning to end. Our doctors and staff are always available to you before and after your procedure. Be assured that you will receive impeccable medical services and be treated with genuine concern and respect.

Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK 3 WHY CHOOSE MEDICAL EYE CENTER?

You have a lot of choices when it comes to Technology: We use technically advanced, LASIK. Sometimes it can be hard to sift FDA-approved and expertly maintained laser through all of the claims and promises out devices in a facility specially designed to there to get real information. perform laser vision correction. We own all of our laser and surgical equipment, which Medical Eye Center offers complimentary, no offer advanced technology. This gives us an obligation, LASIK consultations to help you advantage over other centers because we decide if our center is right for you – and if you don’t have to worry about the condition of are right for LASIK. the equipment. The laser is meticulously Advanced Training and Experience: Our maintained and our laser technicians are doctors are fellowship trained specialists. certified to calibrate and run the laser. In order to become fellowship trained, an Our team works together to provide you with ophthalmologist must complete 1-2 years of the most comprehensive and up-to-date care additional training in the cornea (the portion possible. Our LASIK surgeons are experts in of the eye where LASIK is performed). This their specialties and make it a priority to stay advanced training means you can rest assured one step ahead of the latest developments that our are highly qualified to in vision care. From your complimentary perform your LASIK procedure. Many other consultation to your post-procedure exams, eye doctors have chosen us for their own vision our friendly staff will be with you every step correction procedure, as well as for their patients. of the way. They are dedicated and caring Specialized Staff: The entire surgical team professionals who will always spend time receives ongoing training to stay up-to-date explaining your treatment and answering with technology changes and we have certified your questions. This is our commitment to laser technicians on staff to assist our doctors providing you an excellent experience at every during . visit with us.

4 Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK 5 OUR SURGEONS

Matt Oliva, MD Dr. Matt Oliva is a board certified ophthalmol- travels to Asia and several times ogist, fellowship-trained corneal surgeon spe- per year to perform and teach ophthalmic cializing in corneal transplants (DMEK, DSEK, surgery and frequently arranges and hosts DALK, PKP), surgery, laser vision international surgeons as part of their corneal correction (LASIK and PRK), refractive fellowship training. He is also dedicated to exchange (RLE), corneal collagen cross linking, the development of international eye banks , implantable contact lenses (ICL), that expand access to sight-restoring corneal pterygium surgery, ocular surface tumors, cor- transplants and he serves as the Associate neal dystrophies, and infectious . Medical Director of the country’s largest eye bank SightLife, based in Seattle. Dr. Oliva is deeply passionate about international service. He is an associate and board member of the Himalayan Cataract Project, a non-profit foundation aimed at eliminating curable blindness in the developing world. In this capacity, he

6 Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK John Welling, MD Dr. John Welling is a board-certified, Academy of . Dr. Welling has fellowship-trained surgeon specializing served as international faculty for SightLife in , laser vision correction Skills Transfer Courses in Nepal and Ethiopia, (LASIK and PRK), implantable contact lenses giving hands-on training in advanced corneal (ICL), refractive lens exchange (RLE), corneal transplant techniques. He currently serves transplants (DMEK, DSEK, DALK, PKP), as the Country Medical Coordinator for the pterygium surgery, keratoconus, corneal Himalayan Cataract Project in Ghana, where collagen cross linking, ocular surface tumors, he helps direct HCP’s programs, facilitates corneal dystrophies, and infectious eye disease. training opportunities for local surgeons, and leads high volume cataract outreaches with Dr. Welling serves as lead instructor for a local HCP partners. cataract surgery course at the American Society of Cataract and (ASCRS). He also sits on the ASCRS Surgical Skills Transfer Committee and teaches a cataract surgery course at the American

Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK 7 UNDERSTANDING VISION

In normal vision the cornea refracts (bends) so it can be directed correctly through the lens and onto the . Vision problems requiring glasses or contact lenses are usually caused by irregularities in the shape of the cornea. LASIK helps solve these problems by using a laser to reshape the curvature of the cornea.

Normal Vision Nearsightedness Farsightedness Light rays pass () (Hyperopia) Because the cornea through the cornea Because the eye is Because the eye is is irregularly shaped, to merge and focus longer than normal, shorter than normal, light rays focus at perfectly on the back light rays merge and light rays reach the multiple points surface of the eye, focus before they retina before merging within the eye and called the retina, reach the retina. The and focusing. The distort vision. The producing clear vision. nearsighted eye sees farsighted eye sees astigmatic eye cannot close objects more distant objects more focus clearly at any clearly than distant clearly, but may distance. Astigmatism objects. not see any object often occurs in perfectly. combination with near or farsightedness.

8 Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK If you are over the age of 40 and are considering LASIK, your eye doctor may DID YOU bring up the term “dysfunctional lens syndrome” or DLS. This term describes the KNOW? natural changes in the lens everyone begins to experience in their mid 40s. In the natural process of aging, protein composition of the lens changes, making it harder and less flexible and it clouds over time. When you can better understand the lens aging process, you can better understand your surgery options.

Stage 1 - This is the beginning of DLS, and what is commonly referred to as presbyopia. The lens of the eye loses some of its elasticity and therefore its ability to change focus on things up close. This natural condition occurs even if LASIK has been performed to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Many nearsighted people can take off their glasses and see up close. If you have your nearsighted vision corrected for distance and are over the age of 40, you will no longer be able to see up close (3-4 feet) without glasses.

Stage 2 With Stage 2 DLS, the lens of the eye has started the gradual process of clouding. This causes light to scatter, which results in glare and halos (especially at night), as well as overall reduced clarity of your vision. Symptoms of Stage 2 most often begin in your mid 50s.

Stage 3 This is what is known as a cataract. With , the lens of your eye has become cloudy enough that it is significantly impacting your vision, and treatment is necessary to restore your vision to a functional level. For most people, this stage happens when you are around age 70.

LASIK corrects problems in the cornea, or outer layer of the eye, and not the lens itself. If you have transitioned to Stage 2 DLS, you may be a good candidate for surgery to treat both the cornea and internal lens, instead of LASIK. Your surgeon will determine your DLS stage and consult with you on all treatment options available. Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK 9 LASIK VS. CONTACT LENSES

Consider how much you spend on contacts. wearers experience issues How many years have you worn contacts? How or complications that impact vision more much do you pay for a box of contacts? How frequently than patients undergoing LASIK. 1 many boxes of contacts do you purchase per out of 2,000 contact lens wearers experience year? How much do you spend on contact lens issues resulting in significant vision loss solution per year? compared to 1 out of 10,000 LASIK patients.*

Have you thought about how much time you Contact lenses can cost about $300 or more spend cleaning and caring for your contacts? per year, not counting the cost of solutions, What type of lifestyle compromises do you back up glasses and other supplies. When make because of your contacts? Have you considering the cost factor, keep in mind that ever found yourself on the road without your the amount you spend over time on contact contact supplies? lenses could exceed the cost of LASIK surgery.

The LASIK procedure is not without risk, but wearing contacts has its own risks. If you consider the possibility of from contacts, the day-to-day hassle of contacts, and the lifetime costs of wearing contacts, maybe it’s time for LASIK.

*Source: 2006 publication by William Mathers, MD and colleagues, Oregon Health and Science University's Casey Eye Institute. Mathers WD, Fraunfelder FW, Rich LF, Risk of LASIK surgery vs. contact lenses. Archives of Ophthalmology, October 2006; vol 124: pp 1510-1511

10 Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK Blade-Free LASIK has earned FDA ap- While LASIK has been in use for over DID YOU proval to correct the broadest range a decade, it wasn't until it advanced KNOW? of vision imperfections, including mild to become an ultra precise, all laser to severe nearsightedness, farsight- procedure that NASA approved it for edness, and astigmatism. It combines use in astronauts. the world’s most advanced technolo- The advanced, all laser procedure gies into one all-laser procedure that has also been cleared for US military reduces the risk of complications. personnel, including Naval aviators and Air Force pilots. Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK 11 OUR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

IntraLase Blade-Free LASIK Blade-free technology makes it possible to treat individuals who were previously dismissed as non-candidates due to thin . Studies have also shown that the incidence of dry eye symptoms may be reduced with blade-free LASIK. IntraLase technology is a customizable solution to create the corneal flap from below the surface of the cornea – without using a blade. The process uses fast of laser light to create microscopic bubbles at a precise depth below the corneal surface to allow your doctor access to the underlying corneal tissue.

Wavefront-Optimized and Topography- Guided Contoura LASIK The EX500 has the ability to perform both wavefront- optimized and topography-guided Contoura laser vision correction. Wavefront-optimized refers to the spherical (near or far sightedness) and cylindrical refractive DID YOU errors. Topography-guided Contoura treatment uses topographical data to detect and treat subtle corneal KNOW? irregularities called higher order aberations. Your Just like your fingerprint is surgeon will help you choose the best option for you completely unique to you, depending on your correction and corneal shape. The we create a procedure that range of prescriptions treatable by topography-guided is completely unique to your systems is narrower than the range of treatments . The EX500 offers the approved for wavefront-optimized treatment. broadest range of treatment options so many of those who were not candidates can now be treated.

12 Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK WaveLight EX500

The EX500 uses a flying spot optimized beam The multi-dimensional infrared eye tracker to remove less tissue than a regular laser beam. is 10 times faster than the and The optimized beam also helps to preserve continually monitors your eye movement a more natural corneal shape. Its high during treatment. If your eye moves out of frequency delivers 500 pulses per second, range, the laser automatically pauses treatment making it the fastest and most accurate excimer until your eye moves back into the treatment laser in the U.S. The high speed allows for less position, so you don’t need to worry about eye corneal dehydration, which not only reduces movement or fixation fatigue. the risk of swelling and inflammation, but also helps speed the healing process, leading to quicker recovery times.

Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK 13 THE 3 STEPS OF LASIK

1. Individualized measurements Your eyes are imaged and analyzed to create a custom profile that is used to automatically adjust laser pulse placement. 1

2. Laser creates a flap Tiny pulses of laser light pass through the outer portion of your cornea and form a uniform layer of microscopic bubbles beneath the surface of your eye. Just prior to LASIK surgery, your doctor lifts the corneal flap by gently and easily separating the tissue where the bubbles have formed.

3. Laser reshapes your cornea to correct your vision 2 Once the flap is gently folded back, the EX500 laser is used to remove microscopic amounts of tissue. Guided by your surgeon’s expertise, the laser is activated in single pulses and precisely reshapes your cornea without disturbing the surrounding area of the eye. After the cornea has been reshaped, the flap is folded back into place where it immediately begins to bond with the tissue from which it was temporarily separated.

14 Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK 3 DID YOU KNOW?

Blade-Free LASIK is an integrated, all-laser procedure that uses the most advanced technology to reshape your cornea so light can be properly received by your eye.

Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK 15 LASIK ALTERNATIVES

Not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK due to specific medical conditions such as cataracts, corneal thinning or other reasons. If it is determined that LASIK is not right for your eyes, we will discuss with you why LASIK is not recommended and offer alternate treatment options to consider.

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) Like LASIK, PRK reshapes the cornea in order to correct vision deficits caused by myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. One of the key differences between LASIK and PRK is that with PRK, the reshaping takes place on the corneal surface, whereas with LASIK, the reshaping takes place beneath a flap of corneal tissue. Because PRK does not require creation of a corneal flap, less corneal tissue is altered compared to LASIK. For this reason, PRK may be more appropriate for patients with thin corneas or higher corrections.

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is a surgical procedure that corrects vision by replacing your natural lens with a specially selected (IOL) implant. The steps of RLE are identical to cataract surgery, the most commonly performed worldwide. The difference between RLE and cataract surgery is that RLE is performed before you have developed a mature cataract. There are many different types of IOL implants available, including some which can correct both distance and near vision, significantly reducing your dependence on glasses. Your surgeon will help you select the IOL best suited your visual demands.

16 Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL) Implantable Contact Lenses (ICLs) are soft, permanent collamer lenses which are implanted inside the eye. ICL implantation can be used to treat nearsightedness and astigmatism and can be a very good option for those who do not qualify for laser vision correction due to high corrections, thin corneas, or other conditions. The ICL is implanted behind the , the colored part of the eye, and is undetectable to the natural eye.

Intacs These micro-thin implants are inserted under the outer edge of your cornea during a brief outpatient procedure. Intacs corneal implants gently reshape the curve of your cornea from within, in order to correct mild nearsightedness. The implants can be replaced or removed if your vision correction needs change. Unlike , no corneal tissue is removed.

Intacs corneal implants are an exciting option for individuals who find it intolerable to wear contact lenses and are facing a corneal transplant. These implants may be the best possible option to stabilize the cornea, improve vision, and potentially defer the need for a corneal transplant.

Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK 17 IMPORTANCE OF THE LASIK EXAMINATION

To determine if you are a candidate for LASIK, your surgeon will review your , perform a careful , and obtain multiple advanced imaging scans of your eyes. Our examination process takes about 2 hours. If you are found to be a good candidate for LASIK, your surgeon will work with you to develop a treatment plan that will best suit your lifestyle, hobbies, and visual demands.

Your Peace of Mind It's normal to have questions and concerns when considering any medical procedure. Your peace of mind is extremely important to us. Our surgeons will spend as much time as necessary to make sure your questions about LASIK have been answered to your satisfaction.

The Health of Your Eyes No two eyes are the same. The thickness of your cornea, the health of your eyes and the amount of all play a part in determining whether you are a good candidate for LASIK. The only way to find out if you are an actual candidate for LASIK is to come in for your complimentary consultation.

With the increased range of FDA approvals, more patients are eligible for laser vision correction now than ever before. However, even with the most advanced technologies available, some patients will not be good candidates for laser vision correction. Your safety is our first priority. If you are not a good candidate for LASIK we will let you know why we don’t recommend surgery and what, if any, additional follow-up may be needed.

18 Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK DID YOU KNOW?

With advanced blade-free LASIK more people than ever are eligible for the procedure. Plus with our low monthly payment options and interest deferred plans, there’s never been a better, more affordable time to have LASIK! Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK 19 COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT LASIK

Will LASIK Hurt? This is one of the most frequently asked questions. Before the procedure your eyes are numbed with a series of eye drops to dull any sensations. Most patients do not describe LASIK as painful. You will experience a little pressure during the first step of the process. Afterward, you may experience some irritation and redness as your eyes heal, though we will instruct you to use specific eye drops to alleviate irritation and promote healing.

How soon can I go back to work? Most patients can return to work and other normal activities within 24-48 hours after their LASIK procedure.

What happens if I blink or move my eye during the procedure? Our laser is equipped with a sophisticated 3-D eye tracker which maps the position of your eye more than 1000 times per second, relaying this information to the laser in real time to ensure the most accurate treatment possible. If you happen to move your eye out of the tracker's range, the treatment is automatically paused until the eye is realigned.

Is LASIK affordable? LASIK is surprisingly affordable. In fact, many patients find that over the course of 10 years the cost of glasses and contacts lenses will exceed the one-time cost of laser vision correction.

20 Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK Is LASIK safe? While no surgery is risk-free, keep in mind that millions of Americans have already had LASIK and that number is steadily increasing each year. Some ophthalmologists believe the long-term risk of wearing contact lenses is 5 times higher than the risk of LASIK.* FDA-approved, blade- free LASIK is the most widely researched vision correction procedure available today.

Can I really get rid of my glasses? Having LASIK can help reduce or eliminate your need for glasses. However, starting around age 40, people with normal distance vision may need reading glasses, whether they have had LASIK or not. This is due to reduced flexibility of the eye’s natural internal lens. This change in near vision is called presbyopia. Monovision is one option that may reduce your need for reading glasses. This procedure allows for one eye to be treated for distance vision and the other eye to be treated for near vision.

Will LASIK work for me? Many people over age 21 who suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism can be helped with LASIK, but a thorough eye consultation is the only way to determine if LASIK can achieve your expectations. You should feel comfortable with the assessment of your anticipated outcome before proceeding.

*Source: 2006 publication by William Mathers, MD and colleagues, Oregon Health and Science University's Casey Eye Institute. Mathers WD, Fraunfelder FW, Rich LF, Risk of LASIK surgery vs. contact lenses. Archives of Ophthalmology, October 2006; vol 124: pp 1510-1511

Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK 21 WHAT TO EXPECT WITH LASIK

Pre-Operative Exam The exam process includes full corneal mapping of your eyes, measurement, corneal shape and thickness measurements, tear film evaluation and precise plotting of your size. This examination takes about 2 hours and supplies us with all the data necessary to verify that you are a candidate and provide you with a fully customized treatment. The accuracy of these diagnostics tests, along with a thorough examination and discussion with the doctor, determines precisely which technology will produce the best possible vision outcome for you.

Surgery Day On the day of your procedure you can expect to spend about 2 hours in our office. Upon arrival, we will review what to expect during and after the procedure and will prepare your eyes for surgery. Most patients will receive a mild sedative to help them relax.

The actual LASIK procedure typically lasts about 10 minutes per eye. Most patients will not experience pain during the procedure. While your vision may be significantly improved immediately after the procedure, you are not permitted to drive home from surgery and will need a driver. Recovery is typically fast and most patients return to their normal activities within 1-2 days after surgery.

22 Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK Post-Operative Care You’ll be happy to know that most patients Included in the cost of your LASIK procedure drive themselves to their post-op exam the day at Medical Eye Center are a series of post- after their procedure! You may notice during operative exams, the first of which will be on the brief healing period that your vision the day following your procedure. Typically, fluctuates periodically and you may experience the remainder of these follow-up exams will some mild dryness. These symptoms are be at one week and one month. These are normal and will likely disappear over time. provided at no additional charge for one year after your procedure.

Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK 23 OCULAR SURFACE HEALTH & LASIK

Seventy-five percent of the eye’s focusing power occurs at the ocular surface. Dry Eye Disease (DED), or Ocular Surface Disease (OSD), is a common condition that can affect vision, quality of life, and surgical outcomes. A dry and irregular ocular surface impacts how we are able to see. If you are one of the millions of Americans affected by Dry Eye Disease, your ocular surface irregularity could impact your LASIK measurements as well as contribute to some post-operative vision fluctuation or blurriness. Post-operative healing may also be delayed by Dry Eye Disease.

Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease: • Fluctuating and/or blurry vision • Dryness, grittiness • Irritation, burning, or stinging DID YOU • Tearing KNOW? • Foreign body sensation A study by the American Journal of Ophthalmology • Redness projects that over 16 million • Light sensitivity Americans over the age of 18 have diagnosed Dry • Mucous, crusting along lids/lashes Eye Disease, while another 22 million self report Dry Eye Disease is a chronic condition which means that a symptoms associated with long-term commitment is necessary for optimal results. At- Dry Eye Disease, but a have home include: warm compresses, cleansing, not yet been diagnosed. artificial , oral supplements, ointments or gels, (Source: American Journal of prescription drops. Ophthalmology, October 2017, Volume 182 , 90 - 98) 24 Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK TREATMENT OPTIONS

We offer treatments and products that our doctors have researched and vetted themselves based upon clinical research and personal experience. We offer these products at pricing that is competitive with big box and online retailers.

In-office therapies: Medical Eye Center offers two convenient LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation, Broadband Light packages for patients undergoing LASIK: treatment (BBL), closure of tear drainage ducts. LASIK Care Kit: ideal for individuals with LipiFlow is the only FDA approved treatment moderate dryness. option to remove obstructions of the 30-day supply of medical-grade, artificial tears, meibomian glands, one of the key structures in lid cleansing pads, Bruder warm compress maintaining a health ocular surface. mask, Nordic Natural ProOmega supplements, BBL treatment addresses obstructions of the voucher for prescription drops, and insertion meibomian glands, inflamed vessels of the of temporary punctal plugs. , and kills bacteria and demodex mites Ocular Surface Optimization Package: ideal that sometimes infest the eyelash follicles. for individuals with severe dry eye. Additionally, BBL treatment provides a cosmetic result by reducing redness and vessels 30-day supply of medical grade artificial tears, of the face. lid cleansing pads, Bruder warm compress mask, Nordic Natural ProOmega supplements, Punctal plugs are tiny collagen devices that voucher for prescription drops, insertion are inserted into the tear drainage openings of temporary punctal plugs, and LipiFlow to treat dryness symptoms. The collagen Thermal Pulsation Treatment. eventually is processed and reabsorbed by the body, making this option ideal for temporary treatment needs.

Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK 25 WHAT OUR PATIENTS ARE SAYING

“Since LASIK, life outdoors “LASIK has changed my “Dr. Oliva and his staff has been completely life. When I go on a new changed my world! The different. Everything is so adventure, I get to take in procedure was quick and much clearer! The staff at all the views with my 20/20 painless. I have 20/15 vision, Medical Eye Center were all vision. I am so grateful to all thanks to my skilled so kind and accommodating. Medical Eye Center for this doc and the top-of-the-line It was a great experience!” gift of new sight and life.” technology at Medical Eye Center!” – Dan Jones – Johanna Larsen – Mekela Ulrich

26 Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK DID YOU KNOW?

For over 20 years, we've helped thousands of people reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses and contact lenses. Come in for your complimentary consultation and find out if LASIK is right for you!

Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK 27 PAYMENT AND PRICING

We offer up to 24 months no-interest financing or low-interest extended payment options through our financing partner, CareCredit™. The approval process is quick and easy and we are happy to help you apply. An answer is • Low monthly payment plans received within minutes so don’t worry about a • No money down lengthy approval process. • No interest plans available The universal fee for LASIK at Medical Eye Center includes your pre-procedure • No penalty for early pay off consultation, customized topographical • No annual fees mapping, pre-surgical testing and evaluation, • Fast and confidential procedure fee, facility fee, post-procedure care application process for one year and our enhancement program.

DID YOU KNOW?

You can use Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Spending Accounts or Cafeteria Plans to lower the cost of your LASIK procedure. These accounts allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars for procedures like LASIK. We also accept cash, money order, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and CareCredit cards.

28 Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK Don’t let poor vision affect your active lifestyle.

Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK 29 GIVE SIGHT, GIVE LIFE

When you choose LASIK at Medical Eye Center, you’re partnering with us to provide life- changing cataract surgery for a person in need. We call it our Global Partners Program. For every LASIK surgery performed, your surgeon will personally sponsor one sight-restoring cataract surgery in Nepal, Ghana or Ethiopia through the Himalayan Cataract Project.

30 Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide, accounting for more than 18 million needlessly blind. While most global health challenges cannot be easily cured, cataract blindness is a striking exception. Cataract blindness can be essentially cured overnight with a 10 minute procedure, for as little as $25 per eye. This is why the World Bank has called cataract surgery “one of the most cost-effective interventions available.”

DID YOU KNOW?

• Life expectancy for the blind is only one-third of that for age matched peers

• 90% of blind individuals can no longer work

• 50% report loss of social standing and decision making authority Visit our CrowdRise page at: http://bit.ly/MEC_Grateful to help us eliminate curable blindness Source: Wagner-Lampl, A. and Oliver, G.W. throughout the developing world. “Folklore of Blindness.” Journal of & Blindness. 88.3

Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK 31 DONATE YOUR GLASSES

Recycle your old eyewear and make a meaningful difference in someone's life. When you donate your unwanted glasses, we'll give them new life by carefully matching them with a person in need. Together, we can ensure better vision is available to everyone in our community.

32 Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK ARE YOU READY?

We hope that we have provided you with enough information to help you make an informed decision about LASIK. The one answer we cannot provide in this booklet is if LASIK is right for you. The only way we can answer this is by performing a thorough examination to determine your candidacy for the procedure. If you feel hesitant about taking this step, please rest assured that our goal is to help you understand your options. There is absolutely no obligation to proceed with the procedure.

Choosing a qualified surgeon and center is a difficult process and one of the most important decisions you can make for a successful outcome. When it comes down to the final decision, it’s all about trust. We are committed to doing everything in our power to assure you of the best experience and result possible.

Medical Eye Center - All About LASIK 33 MEDFORD 1333 E. Barnett Road, Medford, OR 97504 541.779.4711

GRANTS PASS 881 N.E. 7th Street, Grants Pass, OR 97526 541.476.6302

MedicalEyeCenter.com 800.824.2688

PATIENT COUNSELORS Direct: 541.734.4816