Ottawa & Kingston
Expert surgeons. Advanced diagnostic technology. Personalized care at every step of your journey toward clearer vision.
Procedures
For those considering laser corrective surgery, the options – and many acronyms – can seem a bit confusing and maybe even intimidating. We are here to help you understand the options available, the technology involved, and how we can help. Our goal is to use top of the line technology to improve patient vision and ensure that you feel comfortable before we get started.
To learn about our procedures, read through this material and keep in mind that the right option for you is determined through an appointment with one of our doctors.
When performing Intralase SBK procedures, we use what is called a Femtosecond laser. This cool-beam laser allows us to remove a very thin layer of the cornea, which makes it safer and leads to quicker recovery times compared to LASIK. Additionally, patients who undergo SBK have fewer instances of dry eye compared to LASIK, experience less light sensitivity, and deal with fewer complications.
PRK is a bit different from other laser eye procedures in that, instead of creating a flap in the cornea, the surgeon completely removes a portion of the outer portion of the cornea, called the epithelial layer, which then grows back over a few days. PRK is considered the safest laser procedure in the short-term and is actually the original laser vision corrective method, predating LASIK and Intralase SBK.
For patients who don't qualify for wavefront-guided treatment. Corrects the three primary refractive errors using proven laser technology.
Monovision is a procedure that can be applied to any of the above procedures, as well as Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) & Refractive Cataract. With Monovision, one eye is treated to see better in the distance while the other eye is treated for closer vision needs. The goal of this procedure is for patients to no longer need reading glasses, or at least not need them nearly as much.
Procedures
Also known as Refractive Lensectomy, this procedure replaces the eye's natural lens with an artificial one — similar to cataract surgery but performed before a cataract develops, to correct vision and reduce dependence on glasses.
Who this may suit
Procedures
Focus Eye Centre offers two cataract pathways to suit your needs. OHIP-insured cataract surgery is available through Focus Medical Ancillary — performed at Everest Surgicentre's two Level 2 CPSO-accredited operating rooms, or at a hospital depending on your surgeon. Refractive cataract surgery is performed exclusively at Everest Surgicentre. Whether you are looking to have a cataract removed under OHIP or to combine removal with advanced vision correction, your surgeon will assess the right pathway based on your clinical profile and vision goals. Ask your optometrist to send a referral to get started.
For patients with a clinically confirmed cataract who qualify under OHIP, insured cataract surgery is available through Focus Medical Ancillary ↗. Procedures are performed at Everest Surgicentre — our two Level 2 CPSO-accredited operating rooms, licensed under the Integrated Community Health Services Centres Act, 2023 (ICHSCA) — or at a hospital, depending on your surgeon and clinical circumstances. Standard monofocal lenses are used, and most patients require glasses after their procedure. Patients may also choose to add uninsured services alongside their OHIP-covered surgery, including uninsured intraocular lenses (IOLs) and uninsured diagnostic services — ask your surgeon about available options at your consultation.
Interested in this pathway? Ask your optometrist to send a referral to Focus Medical Ancillary.
Refractive cataract surgery does more than remove a cataract — it's an opportunity to meaningfully improve your vision at the same time. Patients with a clinically confirmed cataract are assessed using Advanced Diagnostic Eye Testing (ADET), giving surgeons a precise, data-driven picture of each patient's eye before any surgical plan is made. In the operating room, surgeons have access to real-time data verification, advanced lens implants, and AI-generated statistics — combining to support better surgical outcomes. Candidacy is determined individually at your consultation.
OHIP eligibility requires a clinically confirmed cataract diagnosis, determined by your surgeon at assessment. Insured (OHIP-based) surgeries are primarily performed at Everest Surgicentre, a licensed Community Surgical and Diagnostic Centre (ICHSC) operating two Level 2 CPSO-accredited ORs in a non-hospital setting. Depending on your surgeon and clinical circumstances, your procedure may also be performed at a hospital. Your care team will advise you on the most appropriate setting at your consultation. Learn more about ICHSCs ↗
Diagnostic technology
Our surgical outcomes are supported by precise, data-driven diagnostic technology that maps each patient's eye individually before any procedure is planned.
One of the challenges of laser eye surgery is precisely identifying how each patient's eye needs to be adjusted. Wavefront technology gives our surgeons a detailed understanding of your eye's shape by using rays of light to create a three-dimensional map of how light enters and leaves your eye — showing exactly how your eye's shape is affecting your vision.
This Wavefront map works with our laser systems to enable highly personalized procedures — helping patients achieve their best possible vision while reducing common side effects such as night glare and halos.
Most of our qualified patients are eligible for Wavefront-guided treatment. For those who are not, Standard PRK and Standard SBK remain effective options — your surgeon will advise you at your consultation.*
*Eligibility is determined individually during your clinical assessment.
The introduction of the iDesign Refractive Studio means data-driven personalized patient care. iDesign’s advanced diagnostic capabilities are based on a unique blend of Wavefront and topographic technology that allows our surgeons to better, more precisely assess refractive errors thanks to proprietary mapping of the entire optical pathway leading to “topo-integrated” Wavefront-guided procedures. The iDesign Refractive Studio is all about conducting one-of-a-kind planning leading to one-of-a-kind treatment.
This integrated approach enables surgical planning tailored to each patient's unique optical profile, rather than applying a generalized correction.
Personalized planning
Each surgical plan is built from your individual diagnostic data
Comprehensive mapping
Full optical pathway assessed, not just the corneal surface
Reduced side effects
Aims to minimize night glare and halos post-surgery
Data-driven outcomes
Surgical decisions supported by precise diagnostic measurements
Refractive Lens Exchange & Refractive Cataract procedures at Focus Eye Centre are performed at Everest Surgicentre — our purpose-built facility housing two Level 2 CPSO-accredited operating rooms.
In the operating room, surgeons have access to a fully integrated suite of intraoperative technology designed to support precision at every step. This includes intraoperative aberrometry for real-time IOL power verification and refinement, and an image-guided surgical planning system that maps each patient's eye preoperatively and provides digital guidance throughout the procedure — helping surgeons achieve accurate lens positioning and astigmatism correction. Together these systems, alongside AI-generated statistics, combine to support the best possible outcomes for each patient.
Every eye is different. Our assessment uses advanced diagnostic testing to help determine which vision correction option may be most appropriate for your eyes, lifestyle, and goals.
The Pentacam captures detailed corneal imaging to help assess corneal shape, thickness, curvature, and overall suitability for different vision correction options.
Our team
MD, FRCSC · Medical Director
MD, FRCSC
MD, FRCSC
MD, FRCSC
Our FMA associates practice independently and see patients at their own offices. To book with an FMA associate, contact their office directly or ask your optometrist for a referral to Focus Medical Ancillary ↗.
MD, FRCSC
MD, FRCSC
MD, FRCSC
MD, FRCSC
MD, FRCSC
MD, FRCSC
MD, FRCSC
MD, FRCSC
MD, FRCSC
FMA associates practice independently. To book, contact their office directly or ask your optometrist to send a referral to Focus Medical Ancillary ↗. Surgeon availability and services offered may vary — confirm with the individual office.
Where to find us
Important: The information on this page is educational and does not constitute medical advice. The right procedure for you is determined during a clinical consultation with one of our doctors. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed.