Hannibal Regional Medical Group Vision Institute provides eye care for the whole family.
- Comprehensive Eye Health and Vision Examinations
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Red Eye, Infections, Foreign Bodies and Glaucoma
- Pre-operative and Post-operative Cataract Care
- Macular Degeneration and Low Vision Testing
- LASIK
Optical Services:
- Large Selection Fashion and Designer Frames
- All Contact Lens Designs Available Including Astigmatism and Bifocals
- Optical Laboratory on Premises
Hannibal Regional Medical Group Vision Institute has four locations.
IS LASIK FOR YOU?
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, but would like to be rid of them, LASIK surgery may be an option. LASIK surgery is an outpatient procedure offered at Hannibal Regional Hospital by Gary Bodiford, MD, Ophthalmologist with Hannibal Regional Medical Group. Dr. Bodiford has performed over 3,500 LASIK procedures and is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, a Fellow American Academy of Ophthalmology and is VISX Laser Certified.
LASIK is a surgical procedure intended to reduce a person's dependency on glasses or contact lenses. LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an Excimer laser. LASIK (Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis) is the most popular of current laser vision correction procedures. It is designed to lessen your dependence on corrective lenses if you are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism. The procedure is performed as an ambulatory surgery at Hannibal Regional Hospital.
HOW DOES LASIK WORK?
The cornea is like the lens of a camera. It focuses light rays on the retina at the back of your eye to produce the images you see. When the cornea is not perfectly shaped, the images you see are blurred. The Excimer laser system (LASIK) sculpts the cornea into the correct curvature. In nearsightedness, images are focused in front of the retina. This is corrected by flattening the cornea. In farsightedness, images are focused behind the retina. This is corrected by increasing the curvature of the cornea. In astigmatism, the cornea has an irregular curvature. This is corrected by evening the curvature.
ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR LASIK?
LASIK may benefit you if you are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism. To be considered a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, several guidelines must be met.
Patients should be at least 18 years old,
demonstrate no change in refraction for at least one year,
have realistic expectations regarding the results of LASIK eye surgery.
Patients who have experienced an eye infection or injury in the past year should not undergo LASIK.
A comprehensive eye exam and medical history will be taken to determine if you are a candidate for LASIK. During an initial exam, a topographical "map" of your eyes will be made and your pupils will be dilated.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER THE PROCEDURE?
You may experience some light sensitivity or a scratching sensation as the anesthetic drops wear off, but this will usually subside within a few hours. You can expect immediate improvement in your vision and sight can continue to improve for several weeks after the procedure. For a short period after the procedure you will be kept reclined and be given protective goggles to wear until your follow-up appointment the next day. The recovery period is virtually painless.
For more information on this service, or to make an appointment, please call the Hannibal Regional Medical Group Vision Institute at 573-406-5730.