If you are interested in eye surgery, please contact our Baltimore LASIK Eye Center
301 Saint Paul Pl., Ste. 514
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
P / 410.332.9500
F / 410.545.5161
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7672 Belair Road
Baltimore, MD 21236
P / 410-821-5333
F / 410-821-0606
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Dr. Sheri Rowen - Baltimore Laser Eye Surgery Specialist
Dr. Sheri Rowen is a Baltimore Laser Eye Surgery specialist and expert. In addition to the LASIK procedure, she also performs other types of laser vision correction at her Baltimore LASIK offices, including PRK, LASEK and Epi-LASIK. She is also a Baltimore CK Surgery specialist and has used the procedure to correct farsightedness for many patients.
On this web page, Dr. Rowen explains the other types of refractive surgery procedures and answers many of the common questions associated with laser vision correction. The surgery is a broad term which encompasses all surgical vision correction techniques that are intended to correct common refractive errors, including hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), astigmatism and presbyopia (diminished focusing ability). We offer several types of surgeries at our practice. Laser vision c orrection remains the most popular surgery available; however, we continue to introduce new safe and effective alternatives to eye surgery.
Each procedure offered at our practice has its own risks and benefits, and though we have an extremely high success rate, the surgery does have its limitations. While we do not guarantee perfect vision, we believe that the surgery at our practice can reduce, if not eliminate, the need for glasses and contacts while dramatically improv ing overall vision.
If you are inte rested in the surgery, or presbyopia correction with conductive keratoplasty (CK), contact us at our Baltimore LASIK and Cosmetic Center. Find out if you are eligible for surgery at one of our offices.
While it is undoubtedly the most popular and well-known surgery available, many of our area patients (approximately 25 percent ) are not a candidate for LASIK vision correction. These patients typically have corneal scarring, corneas that are too thin to withstand surgery or prescriptions that are so high they fall outside the acceptable range of surgery. Many of these individuals are eligible for alternative vision correction procedures. Patients should visit our practice to find out which alternative is appropriate for their specific needs.
This is a new refractive surgery technique that serves as an alternative for patients who are ineligible for traditional LASIK. During the refractive surgery, the top layer of the epithelium is removed with a special instrument called an epimicrokeratome. Visual aberrations are then corrected with a precise excimer laser and the thin epithelium layer is rolled back to its original position.
Because there is less tissue removed during an the procedure, it is the refractive surgery of choice for our patients with thin corneas or unstable epitheliums. It is also an excellent alternative for patients with steep or flat corneas. Much of the technology is derived from laser and PRK, meaning the procedure has many of the same benefits, without several of the risks, including flap complications. It also results in fewer incidences of post-operative dry eye syndrome and less post-operative haze. The treatment is remarkably safe and effective, often resulting in faster healing and less pain than other alternative vision correction methods
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
This is a surgical procedure designed to reshape the surface of the cornea in order to increase the focusing power of the retina. It is appropriate for the treatment of low to moderate nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. During the surgery at our practice, the epithelium (outermost layer of the cornea) is removed, and an excimer laser is used to sculpt and shape the outside of the cornea. Following treatment, a contact lens is placed over the eye to allow healing to occur. After several days the epithelium layer grows back, and this contact lens can be removed.
While other surgery, requires the creation of a corneal flap to allow access to the retina, it is more of a surface treatment, and is therefore less invasive, and technically easier to perform. It does, however, manipulate a significant amount of tissue, which means that patients can expect a longer recovery time, approximately three to five days, or more. Once any blurry vision has subsided, patients are free to return to work.
This is ideal for patients with corneal scarring, corneal dystrophies, or corneal erosion, who may be ineligible for LASIK. To find out if the surgery is right for you, please contact our practice today.
Conductive keratoplasty is a non-laser vision correction procedure that is designed to restore near vision in patients with presbyopia. Presbyopia is a very common condition caused by a gradual loss of flexibility (accommodation) in the lens of the eye. Presbyopia begins to develop in men and women past the age of 40, and results in a diminished ability to focus for close-up vision. While presbyopia cannot be completely corrected, it can be effectively managed with intraocular lens implants or conductive keratoplasty. During your consultation at our practice, we will help you select the presbyopia correction procedure that will best suit your needs.
Conductive keratoplasty is ideal for patients with otherwise healthy vision who are looking for non-surgical presbyopia correction. Conductive keratoplasty can be performed in just minutes at our practice, and requires no cutting. During the procedure, a thin pen-shaped instrument delivers radio frequency waves to specific spots around the edge of the cornea. The heat from the instrument causes the cornea to change shape, allowing patients to focus for close-up vision.
Presbyopia correction with conductive keratoplasty has proven extremely successful in FDA trials. At our practice, we recommend conductive keratoplasty as a non-surgical alternative for patients who would like to reduce their dependency on reading glasses.
If you are considering surgery, please contact our Baltimore LASIK and Cosmetic Center today. We can answer any questions you have during a consultation at our practice.
Dr. Rowen has helped many patients from the Baltimore and Maryland regions obtain excellent vision and to eliminate their dependence on glasses or contact lenses. She is a Baltimore LASIK specialist, but also provides other refractive surgery procedures, including EpiLASIK, PRK and LASEK, when appropriate for her patients.
New technology intraocular lenses (IOLs) can also now be used for refractive surgery. These lenses can provide simultaneous correction for distance and near vision. Dr. Rowen is Baltimore ReSTOR, ReZOOM and Crystalens specialist.