Vision Institute

Gary Bodiford, MD Ophthalmology		Robert Munsch, MD Ophthalmology		Amy Knickerbocker, OD Optometry		Marshall Munch, OD Optometry		Kent Wolber, OD Optometry

Ophthalmology/Optometry:  What's the difference?

Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist is a physician (doctor of medicine, MD, or doctor of osteopathy, DO) who specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eyes and visual system and in the prevention of eye disease and injury. An ophthalmologist has completed four or more years of college premedical education, four or more years of medical school, one year of internship and three or more years of specialized medical and surgical and refractive training and experience in eye care.
An ophthalmologist is a medically trained specialist who can deliver total eye care: primary, secondary and tertiary (i.e., vision services, contact lenses, eye examinations, medical eye care and surgical eye care), diagnose general diseases of the body and treat ocular manifestations of systemic diseases.

Optometrist
Doctors of optometry are independent primary health care providers who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures as well as diagnose related systemic conditions.
They examine the internal and external structure of the eyes to diagnose eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts and retinal disorders; systemic diseases like hypertension and diabetes; and vision conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. Optometrists also do testing to determine the patient's ability to focus and coordinate the eyes, and to judge depth and see colors accurately.  They prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, low vision aids, vision therapy and medicines to treat eye diseases.

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.  

Shinn Lane Medical Building Hannibal Regional Medical Group - Vision Institute For appointments, call 573-406-5730

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Main Campus 175 Shinn Lane Hannibal, MO  573-406-5730		#1 Northport Plaza Hannibal, MO 573-221-7999		821 Business Hwy 24 East Monroe City, MO 573-735-2506		101 East Washington Street Pittsfield, IL 217-285-5012

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.