Laser Vision Correction
Local Expertise. Life-Changing Results.
Laser vision correction is one of the most common and trusted ways to reduce how much you rely on glasses and contacts. At Innovative Ophthalmology, Dr. Bowers and Dr. Harpole use advanced laser technology to help patients across Kentucky and the tri-state region enjoy sharper, more dependable vision.
What Is Laser Vision Correction?
Laser vision correction is a group of procedures that reshape the cornea, the clear front window of your eye, so that light focuses properly on the retina. When the cornea is too steep, too flat, or slightly irregular, your vision becomes blurry. By gently adjusting the curvature of the cornea, a laser can sharpen that focus and improve how clearly you see. LASIK is the most widely chosen form of laser vision correction, and it is the procedure most patients ask about first. It has become so popular because recovery tends to be fast and comfortable, and most people notice clearer vision within hours of their appointment. That said, LASIK is not right for everyone. Depending on your candidacy, your prescription, and the shape of your cornea, your surgeon may recommend a different procedure that better fits your eyes. Choosing where to have your laser vision correction is just as important as deciding to have the procedure in the first place. At Innovative Ophthalmology, our surgeons have performed thousands of laser vision correction procedures, and that experience shows in the care, precision, and reassurance you feel from your very first visit.
Why Choose Innovative Ophthalmology for Laser Vision Correction in Paducah?
Voted Best Ophthalmologist eight years running
Our practice has been voted The Paducah Sun Readers’ Choice “Best Ophthalmologist” eight years in a row, a reflection of the trust our community places in the care we provide.
Locally owned and operated
We are the only locally owned and operated ophthalmology practice in the region, which means decisions about your care are made right here by people who live and work in the same community you do.
A recognized women-owned business
Our practice has also been voted Best Women-Owned Business, an honor we are proud to carry as we continue serving patients across Kentucky and the tri-state area.
Everything under one roof
From your first evaluation through your procedure and follow-up care, your entire experience happens in one place, with one team that knows your eyes and your goals.
How Does LASIK Work?
LASIK corrects vision by removing a microscopic amount of tissue from within the cornea, reshaping it so the eye can focus light correctly without glasses or contacts. Earlier laser systems could treat only a narrow range of prescriptions, but newer technology now safely corrects higher levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. As a result, some people who were told years ago that they weren’t candidates may qualify today.
Who is a Good Candidate for LASIK?
No two are exactly alike, which is why a careful evaluation is the only way to know with confidence.
Good candidates are usually adults whose vision has stabilized, with healthy corneas of adequate thickness and no underlying eye conditions that might complicate the procedure or affect the results.
At your appointment, our team will go beyond the basics to assess your overall eye health, including whether your eyes may have dryness issues and how your cornea is shaped.
What LASIK does best is correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. People dealing with these everyday vision issues are often great candidates, and for many, the result is years of seeing clearly at a distance without reaching for glasses.
LASIK Technology at Innovative Ophthalmology
The laser system your surgeon uses has a real effect on your final vision, so it helps to understand what works behind the scenes at our practice.
Our refractive suite pairs the FDA-approved Wavelight Excimer Laser with the femtosecond laser, which together make the whole experience completely bladeless.
Before treatment, we map your eye in three dimensions using a WaveFront Analyzer and the Oculus Pentacam. No two eyes are identical, so instead of giving everyone with the same prescription an identical treatment, we build a plan around the unique measurements of your cornea.
The Wavelight system then delivers a treatment that is both wavefront-guided and wavefront-optimized, which helps preserve vision quality and reduce issues such as night glare.
What Happens During LASIK?
Once you are ready for surgery, the procedure itself is short and far gentler than most people expect. Treating both eyes usually takes about fifteen minutes. We use numbing drops so you may feel light pressure at most rather than pain, and you stay awake the entire time.
The surgery follows three quick steps:
1
The femtosecond laser creates a thin, customized flap in the surface of the cornea.
2
The excimer laser reshapes the corneal tissue underneath according to your personalized plan.
3
The flap is gently set back into place, where it begins to heal almost right away.
There are no stitches involved, and the repositioned flap acts as a natural bandage while your eye recovers.
LASIK Before & After
What is Recovery Like After LASIK?
Most people are pleasantly surprised by how smoothly recovery goes after LASIK.
For the first several hours after the procedure, your eyes may feel scratchy, watery, or sensitive to light. We’ll send you home with eye drops, clear written instructions, and a protective shield to wear while you sleep so you don’t accidentally rub your eyes overnight. Beyond that, just try not to rub your eyes, and keep water, soap, and other irritants out of them for the first few days.
Many patients return to work within a day or two, though your surgeon will give you guidance based on your job and how your eyes are healing. Plan to take a break from swimming, hot tubs, and eye makeup for a couple of weeks, and wear sunglasses outdoors to stay comfortable in bright light.
We’ll also see you for follow-up visits to confirm that everything is healing as expected.
How Much Does LASIK Cost?
LASIK at Innovative Ophthalmology is $2,800 per eye, which covers your procedure along with the care that surrounds it. We understand this is an investment in yourself, so we offer financing through CareCredit to help you spread the cost over time.
If you would rather pay in full at the time of service, we are glad to take $200 off as a cash discount. Our team can review all of the numbers with you during your consultation, so there are no surprises.
Alternatives to LASIK
LASIK is a great option for many people, though it is not the only path to clearer vision. In some cases, your eye doctor may recommend a different procedure. Very thin corneas, certain corneal conditions, ongoing dry eye, or a prescription that won’t quite settle can all make another option the safer choice for you.
At Innovative Ophthalmology, we offer many advanced vision correction procedures as an alternative to LASIK to provide you with greater visual freedom.
PRK
PRK is a surface laser procedure that corrects the same prescriptions as LASIK without creating a corneal flap. It can be a strong choice for patients with thinner corneas or particular lifestyle considerations. Healing takes a bit longer than with LASIK, but the long-term results are comparable.
Refractive Lens Exchange
For patients over 40 who want freedom from glasses at every distance, refractive lens exchange is often the better option. RLE replaces the eye’s natural lens with a custom intraocular lens and can address presbyopia along with other refractive errors.
Get Started
Clearer vision may be closer than you think, and the first step is a simple evaluation that shows you exactly which option fits your eyes. Our team is here to answer your questions and help you decide with confidence.
Ready to find out if laser vision correction is right for you? Schedule a consultation at Innovative Ophthalmology in Paducah, KY, today.
