Our Colorado Center Provides Advanced LASIK Laser Eye Surgery and Other Vision Correction Options

At Hines-Sight in Denver, Colorado, we perform laser eye surgery procedures ranging beyond LASIK laser vision correction to treat the many variations of refractive error. Our other refractive procedures include PRK, refractive cataract surgery, refractive lens exchange, the new Epi LASIK, and phakic intraocular lens implants. Whether you suffer from myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or cataracts, we can help you see the world clearly again.

Epi LASIK

Hines-Sight is proud to be one of the first centers in Colorado to offer the latest in LASIK vision correction, Epi LASIK. This exciting new procedure combines features of PRK and LASIK for truly advanced laser eye surgery.

In traditional PRK and LASEK vision correction, alcohol is used to remove or separate the surface epithelium, which kills the epithelial cells and lengthens the recovery period.

There is also a lower risk of surgical complications possible with traditional LASIK vision correction and other laser eye surgery procedures. Epi LASIK also reduces the possibility of post-operative Dry Eye Syndrome. This procedure is frequently recommended for patients with extremely sensitive eyes. By effecting 35 percent less corneal tissue than traditional LASIK, Epi LASIK allows many people with thin corneal tissue to receive laser vision correction.

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)

Our Denver, Colorado center offers PRK, a laser eye surgery suited for patients with refractive error who are not good candidates for LASIK vision correction. PRK uses the same type of excimer laser to reshape the cornea so that light may properly focus on the retina, and you can see clearly.

PRK differs from LASIK vision correction in that it does not involve the creation of a flap to reshape the cornea. The advantage of PRK is that patients who are not candidates for LASIK may still regain better vision through refractive laser eye surgery. However, PRK does require a longer recovery process, and vision is not restored as quickly as LASIK vision correction. Also, a temporary, protective contact lens is worn after PRK to reduce postoperative discomfort.

William Hines, MD has been performing PRK laser eye surgery in Colorado for nearly 10 years with great success. PRK patients are incredibly pleased with the results of their treatment, and enjoy clear vision every day. Dr. Hines will work with you to decide which laser vision correction is best for you. Contact our Denver, Colorado office today to discuss your options!

For those patients that don't qualify for LASIK or other Laser refractive procedures due to having a highly nearsighted or farsighted prescription, and/or corneas that are too thin, we offer the option of the Verisyse Phakic Intraocular Lens or Clear Lens Extraction with intraocular lens implantation.

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Verisyse Phakic IOL

The Verisyse Phakic intraocular lens ("Phakic" means that the natural crystalline lens is left in the eye) is designed for those who may not be a candidate for laser vision correction due to very high myopia or very thin corneas, and in the future high farsightedness. Its advantage is that the natural lens remains in place to focus from far to near in a natural way. It is intended for younger patients who can still focus well. The Verisyse Phakic IOL is still appropriate for older patients, greater than 45 years old, who can still focus but to a reduced degree.

The procedure involves placing a properly selected intraocular lens implant behind the cornea and in front of the iris to greatly diminish dependency on glasses or contact lenses, often eliminating them. Often patients who have astigmatism may require further laser vision correction to "tweak" their vision.

Implanting the Verisyse Phakic IOL is an outpatient procedure that takes around 30 minutes. Usually one eye is treated at a time. To begin the surgery drops will be placed in the eye in order to reduce the pupil size. For better access to your eye Dr. Hines will use an instrument to comfortably hold your eyelids open during the procedure. The surgery is done under local anesthesia so the procedure is virtually painless. Next, a small incision is made in the cornea for the Verisyse lens to be placed in the space between the iris and the cornea. The lens is then gently attached to the iris (the colored part of the eye) to hold the lens in place. The small incision is then closed with microscopic stitches that dissolve on their own. A shield will then be placed over your eye to protect it until you are seen the following morning for the first postoperative exam.

Even though this Phakic IOL has been recently approved for use, it has been safely used in over 150,000 patients and is the safest of all intraocular lens implants used. Although the Verisyse Phakic IOL is intended to be permanent, the procedure is reversible if desired or necessary.

Clear Lens Extraction

The natural lens inside the eye is removed and replaced with an artificial implant, called an intraocular lens, in order to correct your farsightedness or nearsightedness. The power of this intraocular lens is calculated. There are occasions where LASIK and/or PRK are needed after the Clear Lens Extraction in order to fine-tune and better fully correct vision.

The main difference between standard cataract surgery and clear lens extraction is that cataract surgery is primarily performed to remove a patient's cataract that is obscuring and clouding their vision, while refractive clear lens extraction is performed to reduce a person's dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Clear lens extraction can be combined with Laser Vision Correction to treat astigmatism. People who have clear lens extraction now, will not have to have cataract surgery in the future.

The clear lens extraction procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. Only one eye will be treated at a time. After the eye is completely numbed with topical or local anesthesia, the eye's natural lens will be gently vacuumed out through a tiny incision, about one eighth of an inch wide.

Next, the new intraocular lens will be folded and inserted through the same micro-incision. It will then be unfolded and placed into the "capsular bag" that originally surrounded the natural lens. The incision is "self-sealing" and usually requires no stitches. It remains tightly closed by the natural outward pressure within the eye. This type of incision heals fast and provides a much more comfortable recuperation.

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"Every morning when I get up and can see the clock without putting my contacts in, I thank Dr. Hines for my surgery. When I go swimming (which I love to do), I thank Dr. Hines for not having to take out and then put back in those contacts. When I see a beautiful sunrise or sunset, I thank Dr. Hines for my "new" eyes."