At Montgomery Eye Care, our goal is to help each of our patients achieve crisp, clear vision for life. We are pleased to offer a wide range of vision correction options, so that our patients from the Denver, Northglenn, and Westminster, Colorado areas can find the right solution to meet their unique needs and goals.
To produce the images we see, the eye’s cornea and lens bend (or refract) light onto the retina. A refractive error results when light is not properly focused on the retina. In the United States, more than 150 million people have some form of refractive error that causes them to need glasses or contacts to see clearly.
When a person has nearsightedness, or myopia, they are able to clearly see objects that are nearby, but objects in the distance appear blurry. This is a result of an eye that is too long or a cornea that is overly curved, so that light is refracted in front of the retina.
In people with farsightedness, or hyperopia, the eyes are more able to focus on objects in the distance than objects that are closer to the eye. Farsightedness occurs when the eye is shorter than it should be or the cornea is not sufficiently curved.
Astigmatism is a refractive error that results from an irregular shape of the lens or an eye that is imperfectly curved. Simply put, in patients who have astigmatism, the eye is shaped more like a football than a basketball. This can cause light to focus in front of or behind the retina, blurring both near and distance vision.
Presbyopia is an acquired refractive error. Sometimes referred to as age related near vision loss, presbyopia is a normal part of the eye’s aging process that begins to affect most people in their 40s. Over time, the lens of the eye grows increasingly rigid and is unable to properly flex to allow for clear near vision. This is why people begin to rely on bifocals or reading glasses as they get older.
In the past, a limited number of vision correction surgery options meant that many patients with certain refractive errors or who weren’t candidates needed to rely on glasses or contact lenses to see clearly. Thanks to advances in technology, we are now able to offer a wider variety of vision correction procedures, making it possible to treat a greater range of refractive errors.
LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is the procedure most people think of when they consider vision surgery. During LASIK laser vision correction surgery, a small flap is created in the cornea, then an excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea to correct refractive errors. LASIK can treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) is a laser vision correction procedure that was actually approved by the FDA before LASIK. Similar to LASIK, PRK involves reshaping the cornea to improve a patient’s vision. What makes PRK different from LASIK is the way the eye surgeon accesses the cornea. Rather than creating a corneal flap, techniques are used to remove some of the entire outer layer (epithelium) of the cornea. Patients who have thin corneas or irregular corneas are not good candidates for LASIK. However, can achieve comparable outcomes through PRK.
EVO ICL™ is an Implantable Collamer® Lens. It is a very thin lens implant that works in total harmony with the eye. During a brief vision correction surgery procedure, this artificial lens is implanted in front of the natural lens of the eye to correct nearsightedness and/or astigmatism. EVO ICL has helped many of our patients achieve significantly improved vision. This lens also protects from UV light, affords excellent night vision, and does not cause dry eye as other vision correction methods can. EVO ICL is often a good option for patients with thin corneas, and can be reversed if a patient’s vision needs change in the future.
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We offer two vision correction options that involve replacing the natural lens of the eye with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). When undergoing customized cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange, our patients can choose from a wide range of IOL options with each IOL providing distinct vision correction benefits.
Our patients can select IOLs that correct astigmatism, presbyopia, near vision, and/or distance vision. We also offer the PanOptix® Trifocal IOL, which can allow our patients to see more clearly at multiple distances, and the Light Adjustable Lens™ that makes it possible to fine-tune a patient’s prescription after surgery.
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Cataracts develop when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, causing blurry and distorted vision. During traditional cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens implant (IOL).
We offer our patients a wide range of IOL options including premium lenses that not only restore visual clarity from cataracts, but can also offer less reliance on corrective eyewear after surgery. These premium lenses can correct common refractive errors, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia.
Refractive lens exchange is a procedure that is identical to cataract surgery, and involves replacing the eye’s lens with an artificial intraocular lens implant (IOL). The difference is that refractive lens exchange (RLE) is performed solely to reduce dependency on glasses or contacts. Thanks to our range of premium IOL options, patients who undergo refractive lens exchange are able to have all refractive errors addressed, including presbyopia. An added benefit of refractive lens exchange is that it eliminates the need for future cataract surgery.
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All I could say is the staff was amazing. The techs treated my mom so sweet, keeping her warm and comfortable. Dr. Montgomery and Dr. Dugan are the best! They did an excellent job, my mother was seeing 20/20 even before the adjustments were done. She is on top of the moon. Walking out they were calling her a Rock Star!!
Brenda C.
I went to Dr. Montgomery about getting the toric ICL surgery done. My vision was terrible and I was concerned I wouldn't be able to pass my DMV eye exam and would eventually not be allowed to drive. Now I'm seeing better than I ever could with glasses! Everyone at his office was wonderful, from the receptionists to the assistants, to Dr. Montgomery and Dr. Dugan. They all made me feel comfortable and were very kind and professional.
Sarah M.
I have been getting treated by Dr Montgomery for many years! 15 to be exact and when I told him I wanted to get lasik surgery he suggested I don’t because of my chronic dry eyes. However, with his care and his instructions I was able to get there. Today I can see 20/20 and I couldn’t be happier!
Yessenia F.
Most of our patients’ insurance plans do not cover the cost of vision correction surgery. When cataracts have progressed to the point that they impede a patient’s vision, surgery with standard IOLs is covered. However, patients will incur out-of-pocket costs if they customize the procedure with premium IOLs.
We like to think of vision correction surgery as an investment in visual freedom, but we realize that this investment can be daunting to some of our patients. While vision correction surgery may cost more than glasses and contacts up front, over time it is actually the more affordable option.
If you have questions about paying for vision correction or financing your procedure, please contact us.
The vision correction surgery options we offer our patients are widely considered to be safe and effective. However, any surgical procedure does carry some risks. When you attend your consultation, Dr. Montgomery will go over potential complications and side effects of each of the vision correction options you are considering.
Each vision correction procedure has different candidacy requirements. In general, patients who are over the age of 18 and who have healthy eyes may qualify for one of our vision correction options. The best way to determine if you are a candidate is to attend a consultation with an experienced ophthalmologist.
Now that you’re aware of the many vision correction options we offer to our patients from Denver, Northglenn, Westminster, Colorado and beyond, you’re probably wondering which option is best for you. We’re here to help you embrace visual freedom. Please contact us to schedule a consultation so you can learn more.
Give us a call at: (303) 252-9981 or fill out the form below to request a consultation!
