LASIK
LASIK or laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis uses the accuracy and precision of the excimer laser to alter the shape of the cornea in an attempt to change the way the light is focused or refracted by the eye, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contact lens.
LASIK improves vision safely and precisely by reshaping the cornea to correct nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. Vision improves within minutes, and most patients eventually enjoy 20/20 vision or better after treatment.
The most commonly performed elective surgery in America, LASIK combines the advantages of two sophisticated technologies: the accuracy of the excimer laser and the benefits of lamellar keratoplasty. It is safe, precise and highly successful. Thanks to LASIK, millions of people worldwide have experienced the wonder of clear vision without glasses or contact lenses.
LASIK offers many improvements over other refractive surgery procedures. These include little or no post-operative discomfort, immediate vision improvement, and the ability to drive or return to work quickly—sometimes as soon as the next day. Most patients require no corrective eyewear after surgery (although patients over 45 often need reading glasses).
We offer both
traditional microkeratome LASIK and blade-free LASIK, call today to schedule a consultation and find out you are a candidate for LASIK. Soon you could be tossing away your glasses or contact lenses and enjoying the freedom of clear vision.
Custom LASIK
For many patients looking to regain their personal freedom and escape the hassles and irritation of glasses and contacts, LASIK might be the answer you're looking for. This includes those with normal prescriptions or those with severe degrees of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. For others, a more advanced and personalized LASIK procedure is now available. Custom LASIK, the gold standard in laser vision correction, allows your surgeon to increase the treatment range to include higher-order aberrations and gives you a truly customized procedure for your individual eyes.
IntraLase®
The IntraLase® FS laser is a highly precise tool aiding in corneal flap creation, the first step in laser vision correction surgery. It allows for a completely blade-free laser surgery. During the procedure, the IntraLase laser fires 15,000 pulses per second into the cornea, where the flap can be created at a depth and diameter determined by the surgeon as appropriate for each individual patient. This creates a customized procedure for the patient. In addition to benefiting from this pinpoint (2-3 micron) accuracy, patients who undergo surgery conducted with the IntraLase laser are less likely to need an enhancement (follow-up) procedure than with other technologies.
For additional information on Custom LASIK, visit: Visx.com
Step 1:
An instrument called a microkeratome allows the surgeon to make a thin flap in the corneal tissue. The flap is then folded back. |
Step 2:
The Excimer laser reshapes the cornea with cool or non-thermal laser light beams, which is flattening the cornea to treat nearsightedness, steeper to treat farsightedness, and/or more spherical to correct astigmatism. The high-energy photons from the laser break the molecular bonds a few layers at a time. |
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Step 3:
The corneal flap is then placed back in original position where it bonds without the need for stitches. |
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Photorefractive Keratectomy
PRK or photorefractive keratectomy is one of the safest and most time-tested laser vision correction procedures available. Before LASIK, PRK was the most common refractive surgery procedure. Like LASIK, it reshapes the cornea to improve vision. PRK is now used mainly for patients with large pupils or thin corneas.
 The epithelium is removed using a small instrument or a laser. This exposes lower layers of the cornea. |
 A laser reshapes the cornea using short, rapid pulses of ultraviolet light. The laser is guided by a computer. |
 A "bandage" contact lens is placed on the eye. The lens helps protect the eye while it heals. |
Studies have shown that 90-95% of patients with a correction of up to -6.00 diopters achieve vision of 20/40 after PRK, and up to 70% achieve 20/20. Patients needing less correction generally achieve better results. The risks of PRK include infection, haze, slow healing, scarring, over- or under-correction of the visual condition, and development of astigmatism.
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