LEAWOOD, Kan. -- More and more people are turning to surgery to correct vision in hopes of getting rid of glasses or contacts.

LASIK is one of the latest methods, but surgeons are already working to improve on that, and Kansas City is one of the test sites for the experimental PermaVision, KMBC's Kelly Eckerman reported.

"I'm looking at a chance now to be able to see without glasses at all," said Rhonda McLeod, a PermaVision patient.

McLeod has worn glasses since she was 4 years old. Her vision has continued to deteriorate. But she was recently approved for clinical trials of the new PermaVision implant.

The procedure builds upon the popular LASIK method. Like LASIK, surgeons create a flap on the cornea. But instead of removing tissue to reshape the cornea, the PermaVision implant adds tissue.

Eckerman reported that PermaVision is reversible.

Discover Vision Centers is one of five U.S. test sites.

"It's like we have magic powers to erase what we've done -- much like if you buy a pair of shoes and they don't fit. We can replace the lens so it fits you out in the real world," Dr. John Doane said.

The PermaVision procedure corrects farsightedness, which affects about 30 percent of the population. It takes about 25 minutes. The patient is awake with topical anesthesia.

Eckerman reported that the implant was designed for long-term compatibility.

"What they tried to do was mimic the corneal collagen or the tissue of the material it's made of," Doane said.

As part of the clinical trials, McLeod will be closely monitored for months to come. Surgeons will operate on her other eye in about six months.

Doane said that with Food and Drug Administration approval, the procedure could be on the market in three or four years.

More Information:

For details on the clinical trials for PermaVision, call (816) 478-1230 or visit DiscoverVision.com.