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Keratoplasty Eye Surgery (ALK) Center - Rapid City, SD

Rapid City Eye Doctor Doctors for Keratoplasty Eye Surgery (ALK)

Type of Physician: Eye Doctor

What is a Eye Doctor?

A certification by the Board of Ophthalmology; practitioners provide comprehensive eye and vision care. They are trained to diagnose, monitor and medically or surgically treat all eyelid and orbital problems affecting the eye and visual pathways, and to diagnose, monitor and treat all eye and visual disorders. They often prescribe vision services (glasses and contact lenses) as well as serve as a consultant to physicians and other professionals.

Specialty: Ophthalmology

Common Name: Eye Doctor

Eye Doctor Doctors in Rapid City *

Eccarius Eye Clinic
Scott G Eccarius
631 St Anne St
STE 103
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 343-4120

Rapid City Medical Center
Gail Bernard
2820 Mt Rushmore Rd
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 342-3280

Rapid City Medical Center
John J Herlihy
2820 Mt Rushmore Rd
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 342-3280

Black Hills Regional Eye Institute LLP
Prema Abraham
2800 3rd St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 341-2000

Black Hills Regional Eye Institute LLP
Monte S Dirks
2800 3rd St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 341-2000

Black Hills Regional Eye Institute LLP
Daniel J Hafner
2800 3rd St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 341-2000

Black Hills Regional Eye Institute LLP
Timothy P Minton
2800 3rd St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 341-2000

Black Hills Regional Eye Institute LLP
Robert Nixon
2800 3rd St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 341-2000

Black Hills Regional Eye Institute LLP
Paul L Zimmerman
2800 3rd St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 341-2000

Rapid City, South Dakota

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Keratoplasty Eye Surgery (ALK)

What is keratoplasty eye surgery?

Automated lamellar keratoplasty eye surgery, or ALK, is a surgical procedure used to correct vision in people with severe nearsightedness and mild degrees of farsightedness.

What Happens During Keratoplasty Eye Surgery?

Keratoplasty eye surgery, performed under local anesthesia, usually takes less than an hour to complete. A cutting device is used to make a small incomplete flap across the cornea. While still attached at one side, the corneal flap is folded back to reveal the layer of tissue below. Another, very precise cut is made on the sub layer of tissue based on the person's glasses' prescription. After this cut, the corneal flap is placed back over the eye where it reattaches.

What Are the Advantages of Keratoplasty Eye Surgery?

Compared to other vision repair surgeries:

  • The healing process for keratoplasty eye surgery is relatively quick
  • It takes less time for stable vision to return
  • Recovery period is more comfortable

What Are the Disadvantages of Keratoplasty Eye Surgery?

While keratoplasty eye surgery is a safe and effective surgery, it does have its disadvantages. They include:

  • For people with mild to moderate nearsightedness, keratoplasty eye surgery is not as accurate as other eye procedures, meaning that its outcome is more difficult to predict.
  • Keratoplasty eye surgery slightly increases a person's risk of developing an irregular astigmatism.

What Are the Potential Side Effects of Keratoplasty Eye Surgery?

Aside from the above-mentioned disadvantages, side effects, though rare, do occur. These may include:

  • Glare
  • Inability to wear contacts, sometimes permanently
  • Infection
  • Corneal scarring

How Should I Prepare for Keratoplasty Eye Su...

Recommended Reading Related to Keratoplasty Eye Surgery (ALK)

LASIK Eye Surgery »

What is LASIK?

LASIK stands for laser in situ keratomileusis, which means using a laser underneath a corneal flap (in situ) to reshape the cornea (keratomileusis). This procedure utilizes a highly specialized laser (excimer laser) designed to treat refractive errors, improve vision, and reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. This laser procedure alters the shape of the cornea, which is the transparent front covering of the eye. Though the excimer laser had been used for many years before, the development of LASIK is generally credited to Ioannis Pallikaris from Greece around 1991.

How does LASIK work?

During the LASIK procedure, a specially trained eye surgeon first creates a precise, thin hinged corneal flap using a microkeratome. The surgeon then pulls back the flap to expose the underlying corneal tissue, and then the excimer laser ablates (reshapes) the cornea in a unique pre-specified p...

Emergency Contact for Rapid City

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Rapid City Hospitals *

Regional West Center for Behavioral Health
915 Mountain View Rd
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605)719-7200

Rapid City Regional Hospital
353 Fairmont Blvd
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605)719-1000

Black Hills Rehabilitation Hospital
2908 5th St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605)719-1100

Rapid City Indian Health Service Hospital
3200 Canyon Lake Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605)355-2500

Sturgis Community Health Care Center
949 Harmon St
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605)347-2536

VA Black Hills Health Care System Fort Meade
113 Comanche Rd
Fort Meade, SD 57741
(605)347-2511

Custer Community Hospital
1039 Montgomery St
Custer, SD 57730
(605)673-2229

Northern Hills General Hospital
61 Charles St
Deadwood, SD 57732
(605)578-2313

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