Who is a Candidate for SBK?
SBK advanced LASIK in Kansas City is an excellent solution for someone who is at least 18 years of age and ready to eliminate their dependency on glasses and/or contacts. Factors that can affect candidacy are the degree of the refractive error as well as the thickness and shape of the cornea.
During our Advanced Ocular Analysis, you will experience thorough diagnostic testing while meeting with a surgeon to determine if this procedure is best for you. SBK is designed to correct for the following refractive errors: Nearsightedness, Farsightedness, and Astigmatism.
Schedule Consultation >
SBK vs. Traditional LASIK?
What are the advantages of SBK vs. traditional LASIK? SBK uses all-laser technology with a femtosecond laser, instead of a microkeratome or mechanical blade.
All-laser technology using the femto is safer, more precise, and customized to each eye.
Treatment Process
While the entire procedure takes less than 15 minutes, the laser portion of the treatment is completed in only a few seconds.
On the day of the procedure, patients can expect to be in our office for 90 minutes.
Step 1Pre-operative preparations
Several tests will be repeated to verify measurements. An optional mild sedative is offered to patients and anesthetic eye drops are applied to numb the eye. A small, gentle eyelid holder is placed between your eyelids so you don’t have to worry about blinking during the procedure.
Step 2Prep the cornea
First, our surgeons use a femtosecond laser to create a customized corneal flap designed with the precise construction that has been shown to improve safety and visual outcomes.
Step 3Reshape the cornea
The corneal flap is reflected back and the surgeon then applies the excimer laser to reshape the cornea, thereby correcting the refractive error. Once treatment is complete, the protective corneal flap is repositioned into place, acting as a natural bandage so vision can be restored more rapidly.
SBK Advanced LASIK
Recovery
Quick recovery and nearly immediate visual results are two of the benefits of SBK Advanced LASIK. You can expect your vision to be blurry the first few hours after surgery followed by a rapid and significant improvement in vision.
The following morning we will see you for a quick post-operative visit to assess vision and ensure proper healing. Most patients are able to return to work and resume normal activities following this exam.
Is SBK LASIK
right for you?
Find out through our signature
Advanced Ocular Analysis
The first and most critical step in determining candidacy for a procedure is to schedule a complimentary Advanced Ocular Analysis, or AOA.
Going above and beyond a traditional LASIK screening, the AOA sets the foundation for exceptional visual outcomes with each patient’s long-term needs in mind.
SBK Advanced LASIK Technology
Femtosecond Laser
Technology
The femtosecond laser replaces the blade commonly used for corneal flap creation making the procedure safer and more precise. The femtosecond laser delivers micron-level accuracy that is critical for successful visual outcomes. We have three femtosecond lasers at Durrie Vision.
- Wavelight FS200 Femtosecond Laser
- IntraLase IFS Femtosecond Laser
- Zeiss VisuMax Femtosecond Laser
Excimer Laser
Technology
Although all technologies are integral to providing an excellent refractive outcome, the excimer laser could be described as the “crux” of the process when providing SBK Advanced LASIK. Durrie Vision has two excimer lasers that are used to reduce and/or eliminate refractive error by reshaping the cornea.
- The Wavelight EX500 Excimer Laser
- The VISX STAR S4IR Excimer Laser
LASIK FAQs
- I have astigmatism. Can I still get LASIK?
Having astigmatism does not exclude you from laser vision correction. In fact, SBK Advanced LASIK is a superior treatment for astigmatism, which is simply a common refractive error like nearsightedness and farsightedness.
When astigmatism is present, the cornea has a slightly different surface curvature in one direction or the other. LASIK eliminates the astigmatism by changing the curvature of the cornea, either by flattening or steepening.
- What if I'm not a candidate?
Advancements in the field of vision correction have led to new procedures, techniques, and technologies that translate to more options for more people. Age, corneal limitations, and previous eye surgeries are all factors in determining your candidacy for a procedure. While SBK Advanced LASIK is the most commonly performed vision correction procedure at Durrie Vision, it’s not the only one – we have seven! During the Advanced Ocular Analysis, one of our experienced surgeons will obtain an analysis of your entire ocular system and evaluate the overall health of your eyes. This in-depth assessment provides our surgeons with the information needed to determine your surgical candidacy for any of the seven procedures offered at Durrie Vision.
- What are the risks?
The decision to have a vision correction procedure is one only you can make. Serious complications with SBK Advanced LASIK are extremely rare. However, as with any medical procedure, the risk is not zero. Many of the risks associated with this procedure can be reduced or eliminated through careful patient selection and thorough preoperative testing using the latest diagnostic technology available at Durrie Vision.
- How soon can I return to normal activities after my treatment?
After years of dealing with the limitations of glasses and contacts, we can understand why questions about the recovery time for LASIK in Kansas City are asked so frequently. After all, laser vision correction is meant to make your life easier, right? The good news is that one of the greatest benefits of SBK Advanced LASIK is its rapid visual recovery. Patients can expect their vision to be blurry the first few hours after the procedure. Then, patients will notice significant improvement in vision. After a quick one-day post-operative visit, most patients are able to resume work and normal activities.
- Does LASIK wear off?
One of the most common misconceptions about LASIK is that it wears off; but, the reality is that LASIK lasts. This fact is best understood with a quick anatomy lesson. The eye has two lenses – the cornea on the front surface and the lens inside. LASIK is a permanent change to the cornea, which addresses nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Natural changes in the internal lens of the eye can affect your near vision beginning in your 40s, which is due to a common condition called presbyopia. Additional technologies exist to improve vision when those changes occur.