Anatomy of the eye. The cornea is where laser refractive surgery is done. It is the clear window at the front of your eye.

The excimer laser is a computer-controlled, ultraviolet beam of light that reshapes the cornea (the clear window in the front of your eye). Myopia is caused by the cornea being too steep. Hyperopia is caused by the cornea being too relatively flat. Laser is used to flatten the central cornea to decrease nearsightedness. Laser is used to flatten the peripheral cornea, thereby relatively steepening the central cornea to decrease farsightedness. Each pulse of the laser disrupts the bonds between corneal cells with an accuracy up to 0.25 microns or 0.00004 of an inch. The more tissue that is removed, the more the refractive power of the cornea is changed. For comparison, the thickness of a human hair is about 50 microns.

LASIK, or Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis, treats refractive errors by removing corneal tissue from beneath the surface of the cornea. An instrument called a microkeratome is used to fold back a thin flap or layer of cornea. Then, the excimer laser removes the proper amount of corneal tissue with computer assisted accuracy. The thin corneal flap is then folded back into it's original position where it bonds after several minutes. No stitches or eye patches are used.

Realistic Expectations
The decision to have Laser Vision Correction is an important one that ultimately only you can decide. It is important that you have realistic expectations and that your decision is based on facts, not hopes or misconceptions. The goal is to reduce your dependence on corrective lenses such as glasses and contact lenses. Not everyone achieves vision of 20/20 without glasses (although that is our goal). Most patients achieve vision of 20/40 or better which allows them to drive without glasses. As with any surgical procedure, results cannot be guaranteed and individual results may vary. Laser does not correct presbyopia, or aging of the eye, which occurs around age 40 and may require the use of reading glasses.

We would be pleased to provide you with an informational videotape and brochure regarding Laser Refractive Surgery & LASIK. We have been very pleased with results obtained with the excimer laser. We are using LASIK exclusively to correct most patient's nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Once you have reviewed the video and brochure and feel that LASIK Laser Vision Correction may be for you, we invite you to call and set up a FREE refractive surgery screening exam. We can then determine your candidacy for the procedure and answer questions for you. We look forward to hearing from you and invite you to explore your options.

Payment & Financing
Refractive Surgery & LASIK financing available for as little as $74 per month for both eyes depending on amount of down payment and terms of payment! Please ask us for details!

Both eyes are usually treated at the same time. Most insurance companies do not cover the procedure. However, an increasing number of employers are providing coverage as a benefit. Check with your insurance company or employer benefit's office for specific coverage questions.

Some patients obtain outside financing to obtain payment in full. Other patients use financing available through either the The Vision Fee Plan or by a private lender. Our office has applications and would be happy to provide them to you. Some patients also take advantage of their employer's cafeteria plan to allow payment with the use of pre-tax money. The cost includes the surgeon's fee, all pre-operative and post-operative care for one year after surgery and the facility fee which includes the use of the VISX excimer laser and microkeratome.

If you need help with financing, please contact our medically trained staff or click on the logo to the right. Vision Fee Plan is a flexible monthly payment option offered through The Fee Plans. It is specifically designed for refractive surgery.

More Information
LASIK & Refractive Surgery Appointment - Send us your appointment or brochure request!

What is Nearsightedness, Farsightedness, and Astigmatism?

Email us with your prescription and we'll tell you if you are a candidate for LASIK Laser Refractive Surgery!

A thin flap of corneal tissue is made with a delicate instrument called a microkeratome. At the far left, a flap is illustrated. In the middle, an illustration of a thin layer of corneal tissue removed with the excimer laser. Removing this corneal tissue causes flattening of the cornea as shown on the right. This flattening produces a reduction in nearsightedness and astigmatism.	Operating room photograph of the corneal flap being lifted from the corneal surface in preparation for application of the excimer laser. On the right is the suction ring which maintains your eye pressure at the appropriate level to create the corneal flap.
Illustration showing the laser removing corneal tissue beneath the surface of the cornea. The result is a flattening of the cornea as shown in the right illustration.	Illustration of the excimer laser, shown in red, being applied to the cornea beneath the flap of corneal tissue. This procedure is painless!
We invite you to join the thousands of patients who have decided to explore their options for laser refractive surgery to reduce their dependancy on glasses or contact lenses. You may call our office for a free consultation at (541) 687-1715. We will be happy to send you a complimentary informational videotape and brochure.	If you are interested in exploring your options, call our office or email us by clicking on "Contact Us" below! At the offices of Steven Ofner, M.D., P.C., we are dedicated to providing you with the most comprehensive eye care available with the most modern and state of the art instruments. At the same time, we strive to provide a personal touch to our compassionate eye care. The decision to have refractive surgery is a very personal one. We would be delighted to assist you in learning more about this exciting technology!

Laser refractive surgery for farsightedness (hyperopia).
This technology allows us to correct any type of refraction with surgery. Namely, nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. Currently, we are doing surgery surgery for all categories of refractive error. The hyperopia technology is very exciting. Did you know that more people are farsighted than are nearsighted?

May I talk with someone who has had LASIK surgery?
Yes. We have received the permission of many of our patients to release their phone numbers to you for the purpose of discussing LASIK and their personal experience. Also, 4 of Dr. Ofner's office staff have had LASIK. Ask them about it! Discuss this with us at your screening appointment or send us a request by email.

May I schedule an appointment to see if I am a candidate for LASIK?
We will be happy to contact you for an appointment for your free screening consultation. If you prefer, you may call our office at (541) 687-1715. Or, you may email us with your request and we will contact you. Please leave us your name, phone number, best day of the week for an examination and whether you prefer morning or afternoon appointments. If you desire a videotape and an informational brochure prior to your appointment, please leave your address as well.

How much confidence does Dr. Ofner have in LASIK?
Dr. Ofner has perfomed LASIK on his wife's eyes as well as nurses and staff who work with him! He also did surgery on Jerry Allen, local Radio Personality & Sportscaster. Now that's confidence!

Jerry Allen** Local Radio Personality & Sportscaster. Surgery by Steven Ofner, M.D.
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