Copyright ©1997 Dr. Kenneth L. Burke
175 Main Street South, Woodbury, Connecticut 06798
203.263.3391
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Our office specializes in solving complex contact lens problems. We recently have incorporated computerized cornea mapping (Corneal Topography) in all our contact lens evaluations. This procedure enhances early detection of corneal abnormalities as well as monitoring patients electing to reduce their nearsightedness through PCM (Eccentric Zero Molding). The following describes that technique and lists different types which we utilize in our office. New lens materials and designs are always being developed and we are continually investigating them for our patients. Our staff spends extra time and effort to insure that all lens wearers are properly instructed and educated on contact lens care and placement and removal before they leave the office. All our lenses are competitively priced and usually available on one or two day express if desired.

Contact Lenses Can Give More Than 20/20

20/20 vision does not mean that you have perfect eyesight. If you have 20/20 vision, it means only that you have normal clear vision at a 20-foot distance. To have effective and comfortable vision, you must have many other vision skills.

20/20 vision means that at 20 feet a person sees the size letter on the examination chart that he is supposed to see at 20 feet. If, at this 20-foot distance, a person cannot read letters smaller than those normally read at a distance of 40 feet, he is said to have 20/40 vision. Thus, the larger the bottom number of the fraction, the more blurred the vision. Some people have better than normal vision, and this is indicated by a smaller bottom number, such as 20/15.

It is, of course, important to have clear vision, and contact lenses often can supply clearer vision than do eyeglasses. But the optical advantages of contact lenses over eyeglasses often go beyond just seeing clearly and eliminating the problems of eyeglasses. They also in many cases improve many of the other necessary vision skills by providing:

1. Better depth perception.
2. More accurate interpretation of moving objects.
3. Better eye teaming.
4. Truer perspective of object sizes.
5. Less distortion of perceived objects.
6. Better side vision.

Eccentric Zero Molding is the use of contact lenses to remold the shape of the corneal to reduce or correct myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism (irregular surface of the cornea). In some ways this is similar to the use of dental braces by an orthodontist to straighten crooked teeth. The main difference is that if a tooth position is corrected for some months it will stay in the new position. The cornea is highly elastic, however, and always returns to its original shape. For this reason, retainer lenses are worn typically either two or four nights per week or part of each waking day (2-3 hours on awakening or before bedtime each day). Retainer lenses are prescribed after the ideal corneal shape or maximum change has been achieved.

The main purpose of E.Z.M. is to be free of both contact lenses and spectacles for the majority of or possibly all of the waking hours. While this is ideal for sports enthusiasts or those who work in dusty or dirty environments, for others it is simply the appeal of being free of corrective lenses during the day.

For some myopes, particularly those with higher errors, the procedure is useful in that, while the full error is not corrected, there is sufficient reduction of the error to enable improved, although not perfect vision when the lenses are removed.

Yes. E.Z.M. is half the cost; does not involve postoperative pain; does not leave the hazy vision often experienced by patients following laser surgery; there is no loss of Bowman's membrane (the tough protective layer just under the corneal surface); both eyes are done together (rather than several weeks or months apart); changes in prescription over time can be dealt with (unlike excimer); and, above all, the procedure is REVERSIBLE (excimer is not!)

No. It does not work for every patient and needs to be performed in a exacting way. New lens designs (the VCM lens from Australia) and improved accuracy of measurement of the corneal shape (EyeSys Corneal Topographer) and accompanying computer software has resulted in a dramatic improvement in the effectiveness of this procedure. The procedure works best up to four diopters of myopia and two diopters of astigmatism. Errors above this may be reduced but total correction is not usually possible. The procedure also does not work as effectively on very steep or very flat corneas. In addition, there are several unknown factors for each individual - the complexity of the corneal shape and the rigidity of the corneal itself. Thus, the speed of corneal molding from one individual to the next will vary. Also, while the success rate is very high, success cannot be guaranteed due to factors such as the inability to wear contact lenses for physiological reasons, allergy, dry eyes, and other health problems that may restrict wearing time.

First an initial assessment appointment. This gives us a chance to both assess the general condition and health of the eye and also to discuss the likely effectivity of the procedure in your own case.

A series of E.Z.M. contact lenses made from high oxygen permeable rigid material are then fitted in progressive stages to gently reshape the cornea towards less curvature and a more spherical shape. This reduces nearsightedness (myopia) and astigmatism while dramatically improving unaided eyesight. Excellent vision and comfort are normally maintained while wearing E.Z.M. lenses.

Most of the visual changes occur rapidly in the first few days and weeks, requiring frequent examinations and progressive lens changes. Stabilization procedures then follow at a slower pace over the next few months. The program length varies between 3 to 6 months depending upon the degree of visual error and the rates of change.

After treatment and maximum results are achieved, retainer lenses are worn to stabilize the new corneal shape. Failure to wear the retainer lens on an ongoing basis will result in the return to the pre-existing prescription. Retainers may be worn during the day or night.