Dr. Shalu Pal

  • "If you want quality and wonderful service, please go to Dr. Shalu Pal! The patience, care, and true concern that Dr. Pal has for her clients is wonderful. "

    --Seleena J
  • " I was pleasantly surprised by finding a hidden gem within Dr. Pal's office"

    --Naveed
  • "Finally a doctor who is extremely knowledgeable, patient and explains things clearly. She is a wonderful human being who really takes the time to care for your needs. The office has a wonderful atmosphere and the staff are just as helpful as Dr. Pal. "

    --Mikail
  • "I couldn't ask for a better Optometrist. She is a delight to deal with, very patient, helpful and extremely knowledgeable. She was very good with my kids who can be very fussy at times.. And who could ask for a more beautiful location. Highly Recommend! "

    --Natalie M.
  • "My wife and I, highly recommend Dr. Pal. The staff, the service, the merchandise, are all top notch. They really make you feel welcomed. It has been several years since I have been able to see this well !!! You and your staff are the best !!!! "

    --Steve and Maria L.
  • "We barely go to optometrists so when we do, we should look for the best! I am super pleased I chose Dr. Pal\'s office. They were helpful from beginning to end, from booking on the phone to my actual visit. Dr. Pal was very detailed and went in-depth about my eye health. She is very patient and made me feel calm. The optician helped me pick a great pair of glasses, they were genuinely friendly which is a huge bonus."

    --Ahmad S
  • "I have been going to Dr. Pal for several years now. My most recent visit on June 6, 2016 was the best experience there that I have ever had. Firstly, the women on the desk were friendly and efficient - a very good prelude to my examination. Dr. Pal, herself, was, as usual, very thorough and encouraging in her examination. And she puts you at ease before we get into the eyes examination by discussing other things in life. That helps to ease any stress I may have. And they now have a man in the office who does that difficult examination (name of which I do not know!). He is so patient and encouraging and made the exam not so difficult for me this time. After all that, I saw Dr. Pal again before I left and she told me my eyes were good! Even had the news been not so good, I believe that I would be able to handle it because I truly believe that Dr. Pal and her staff would have taken good care of me. I will always go back to Dr. Pal and members of her team because I truly believe"

    --A. Howlett
  • " I have been to a few appointments at Dr. Pal\'s office over the last year for dry eye issues and every time it has been a very positive experience. The 3 receptionists at the front desk are warm and friendly. They are attentive and provide a very high level of customer service. I appreciate that they call me by name and remembered conversations we had at previous visits. I find Dr. Pal to be an excellent practitioner who is very thorough with her exams, has a lovely personality and takes the time to answer any and all questions that may arise. I am happy with the computer glasses I purchased and value the honest opinions I received from the staff when selecting frames. It was refreshing to have multiple opinions on styles and I felt they truly wanted me to walk out with a frame that was best suited to me. I highly recommend Dr. Pal \'s office! As a health care practitioner myself, I think all health care experiences should be this personilzed and friendly!"

    --A. Mclean
Photorefractive Keratectomy
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Contents

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)

PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) involves the removal of the top surface level of the cornea called the epithelium. This exposes the inner cornea so that a cool ultraviolet laser can re-sculpt it to alter the curvature of the eye. For nearsighted people the surgeon flattens the steep cornea and for farsighted people he or she makes the cornea steeper. The laser can also correct astigmatism by smoothing an irregularly shaped cornea. This allows the eye to better focus light onto the retina and provides clearer vision.

PRK was once the most common laser correction procedure for vision until LASIK surpassed it. LASIK is generally able to correct more severe visual acuity with less recovery time and with decreased risks of infection haze and scarring. PRK involves some discomfort following the surgery a gradual improvement of vision and a higher incidence of dry eye. It is however the procedure of choice if a patient has a thin cornea certain corneal scars or a large pupil. No needles or incisions are involved in the procedure.

Before the Procedure

If you are considering PRK the first step in the process is to know how to choose a refractive surgeon. Once this is decided the surgeon will examine your eyes to determine exactly what kind of vision correction you need. A computer creates an extremely detailed map of your cornea and calibrates the laser to your prescription.

During the Procedure

PRK is an outpatient procedure. You walk into the surgery centre have the procedure done and walk out. It is not advisable to drive home. You should make other arrangements for transportation. The surgery itself usually takes less than five minutes per eye to complete although preparation time makes the procedure longer. You are awake the entire time. A few anesthetic drops numb the eye and prevent pain.

After lying down and properly positioning your eye under the laser the surgeon will place an eyelid holder in your eye to keep it open and immobile throughout the procedure. The surgeon will then calibrate the laser to your prescription and using the laser will gently remove the eye s protective layer of cells called the epithelium. This will reveal the next layer of corneal tissue. The area will then be smoothed and an application of computer-controlled pulses of cool laser light will delicately reshape the curvature of your eye. The deeper cell layers remain virtually untouched.

The surgeon has complete control of the laser and can turn it off at any time. When the procedure is finished you will rest for a little while. If the operation is on both eyes the same day the surgeon will probably do the other eye shortly after the first. Many people choose to have their second eye done another time.

Following the Procedure

When the procedure is finished the surgeon places a soft contact lens over the eye as a bandage to help the outer layer of corneal cells regenerate and to prevent infection. During this time it is normal to experience some discomfort and blurred vision as most of the pain sensors in the cornea are located on its surface. Within 2 to 5 days after the surgery the contact lens can be removed. Avoid rubbing your eyes for the first few days. Some people are able to return to work the following day but your surgeon may advise you to rest for a few days instead.

Patients normally take pain medication for a day or two following the surgery to reduce discomfort. To promote healing and reduce swelling the surgeon might prescribe anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops for three to four months following the procedure.

Although PRK dramatically improves vision and reduces dependence on corrective eyewear its goal is not to eliminate glasses and contacts. Some people achieve 20/20 vision or better while others may achieve only 20/40. This prescription is satisfactory for driving without corrective lenses. While eye prescription levels will be much lower than before these patients may still require corrective eyewear following the procedure. In addition PRK does not prevent the onset of presbyopia an age-related vision condition that affects near vision and is that occurs when the eye’s lens stiffens and becomes less flexible.

 
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