Price Vision Group to Become First in US to Perform LIKE Procedure
Pioneering cornea surgeon Francis W. Price, Jr., MD of Price Vision Group in Indianapolis, IN is scheduled to become the first in the U.S. to perform the revolutionary LIKE procedure. LIKE (LASIK and Intrastromal Keratoplasty) is the next generation in refractive surgery to correct extreme farsightedness in people who cannot be helped by current LASIK or refractive techniques.
Clear, focused vision depends on the cornea and lens, which refract, or bend, incoming light, projecting it precisely on the retina, which sends visual information to the brain. Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is a condition where the eyeball is too short, causing images to project past the retina and affects about 10-20% of the population in the U.S. This makes up-close objects appear extremely out of focus, while far away objects are less out of focus but still not clear. Glasses or contact lenses are the most common treatments. Surgical options have been limited, especially for those with high degrees of farsightedness, because there is no procedure to extend the length of the eye.
Refractive procedures, such as LASIK, have been successful in treating low levels of farsightedness. Currently, higher levels of farsightedness can only be treated with corrective eyewear, cataract surgery, or in patients without cataracts, with a refractive lens exchange where the natural lens in the eye is replaced with an artificial lens (IOL). These options work well for those in their 40’s or older, but cause younger people, who still have the ability to focus up close, or accommodate, to lose that ability. There is also more risk with having surgery inside the eye, rather than on the surface as with LASIK.
What is LIKE? (LASIK and Intrastromal Keratoplasty)
LASIK and Intrastromal Keratoplasty, or LIKE, offers a cutting-edge surgical treatment for those with farsightedness starting at 3 diopters and up to 10 diopters, a level which has been previously untreatable with LASIK.
LIKE is a two-part procedure which places a portion of a donor cornea into the stromal, or structural, layer of the cornea and upon healing, LASIK is performed. The insertion of the structural donor layer alters the shape of the cornea so that light and images are precisely focused on the retina resulting in excellent, clear vision. This procedure has similarities to a standard LASIK procedure where a flap is created and then lifted to begin treatment. Unlike LASIK, instead of using an excimer laser to remove tissue (ablation), a donor cornea is implanted (to add tissue). After the vision has stabilized, (~2-3 months), the LASIK treatment will be performed on the donor tissue (not the patient’s tissue) to fine tune the vision.
Dr. Francis Price, Jr., who is a world-renowned surgeon and founder of the Cornea Research Foundation of America, has trained more than 600 eye surgeons on advanced surgical techniques, and routinely cares for the most complex eye conditions in patients from around the world. He, along with other Price Vision Group surgeons, have helped pioneer and perform more cornea transplants and specialized procedures than any other clinic in North America. As a result of his excellent track record in pioneering surgical treatments, he was chosen to become the first in the U.S. to perform this ground-breaking new technique.
Terms:
Stroma – the structural part of the cornea, the window of the eye
Keratoplasty – cornea transplant, placing a donated cornea from another person into some one’s cornea
10 comments
Ava VanMeter
April 25, 2019 at 6:57 am
If I had previous cornea transplants approximately 20 years ago at your facility. Would this be a procedure that could be performed on me. I’m having difficulty scene even with my gas perms. I’m coming down to Indianapolis from northern Michigan on Monday March 29 do you have anything in the afternoon that would be available appointment
Sam Ven
April 25, 2019 at 7:53 am
Thanks for your question, Ava. We are unable to answer your question without an examination by one of our doctors. Please give us a call to schedule an appointment.
Tia
February 22, 2020 at 2:57 am
When will the procedure be available for patients and what does the criteria look like?
Sam Ven
February 26, 2020 at 9:20 am
Thanks for the comment, Tia. The procedure is available now but you’ll have to schedule an appointment so we can determine if you’re a good candidate for this procedure.
Nicole
January 21, 2021 at 9:56 am
Are you aware of other ophthalmologist performing this surgery? I’m located in CT. Thanks!
Sam Ven
January 21, 2021 at 9:59 am
That’s a great question, Nicole. We are not sure how many other places are performing this procedure. There is a center in Utah that has performed some cases. Dr. Price has been designated the lead surgeon for this procedure. We will reach out to Dr. Price to see if he’s aware of anyone closer to CT and get back to you.
Nicole
January 21, 2021 at 10:22 am
Wonderful, thank you! I had corresponded with a surgeon in Atlanta GA last year regarding theid procedure. At the time he advised that his practice and Price Vision were the only 2 he knew of in the US that would perform this procedure. He also advised me of dr. kashif baig in Ottawa which is about 8 hours from me. It sounds as though Dr. Price is the leading surgeon for this procedure and I would make a trip to have the best working on me. I’m wondering if I can have certain tests performed in CT to see if I’m even a candidate?
Sam Ven
January 21, 2021 at 10:26 am
We’ll send a message out to Dr. Price and see what he has to say about tests/scans in CT, if possible.
Sam Ven
January 22, 2021 at 11:40 am
Hi Nicole. I sent you an email with answers to your question.
Dave
April 21, 2021 at 4:46 pm
Hello – is this procedure still being offered? I don’t see it listed on the procedures tab but would be interested as I have a prescription of +8 with -1.75 astigmatism in both eyes. I am in the Chicagoland area but I think this is the closest facility that I can see where the procedure is available. Would appreciate any information.