 |
|
| Home |  |
Questions | |
Custom LASIK | |
Are you a Candidate? | |
Financing | |
Testimonials | |
Contact |
|
OverviewLaser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), which is sometimes termed laser intrastromal keratomileusis (LASIK), is the most advanced procedure utilizing the excimer laser for correction of refractive errors.LASIK has become the most successful and popular vision correction procedure in the world. LASIK surgery changes the shape of the cornea permanently. It can drastically decrease the need for glasses or contact lenses for most patients. The surgery is performed using only topical anesthetics (eye drops). The procedure combines the use of the microkeratome (a delicate surgical instrument) to create a thin protective corneal flap followed by application of the excimer laser beam to the bed of the cornea. The excimer laser removes tissue with minimal thermal damage or scarring to adjacent tissue. The computer guided excimer laser beam accurately reshapes the cornea by removing microscopic layers of the cornea (.25 microns per laser pulse). The corneal flap is then placed back in position and allowed to heal without the need for stitches. Following a LASIK procedure, most patients are able to resume their normal daily activities the next day. The advantage of LASIK is that there are no raw surfaces left to heal after application of the excimer laser. The normal physiologic layers of the cornea are left intact after the treatment, because the treatment is done beneath the corneal flap. LASIK surgery improves the focusing power of the cornea. Most patients that have undergone LASIK surgery now enjoy excellent vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses. Most patients that wear contact lenses or glasses are candidates for LASIK surgery. To find out if you are a candidate for LASIK surgery, you can contact us toll free at 215.639.4500 or email: info@iclaser.com The initial consultation is free. |
|
|
NearsightednessThe LASIK procedure can greatly help those individuals who suffer from myopia (aka nearsightedness).Refractive errors exist when the cornea and lens of the eye fail to focus light rays directly on the retina. This can result when the cornea is too steep, focusing light rays in front of the retina. This is myopia or nearsightedness. Nearsighted individuals can see near but not as well as faraway. This can be corrected using the excimer laser. LASIK in the low range of nearsightedness is quite accurate. In our practice, the vast majority of individuals with near-sightedness, with or without astigmatism, see 20/20 after one LASIK treatment. Surgeon experience in performing LASIK is the most important factor that determines the success of surgery. |
|
|
AstigmatismThe LASIK procedure can change the lives of those individuals who suffer from astigmatism.Refractive errors exist when the cornea and lens of the eye fail to focus light rays on the retina. Astigmatism results when the cornea-lens combination fails to focus the light rays to a point source on the retina. A normal circular or spherical cornea focuses images to a sharp point. A cornea with astigmatism is essentially oval and therefore fails to focus images clearly, resulting in blurry vision. In our practice, the vast majority of individuals with astigmatism see 20/20 after one LASIK treatment. Surgeon experience in performing LASIK is the most important factor that determines the success of surgery. |
|
|
FarsightednessThe LASIK procedure can drastically help those individuals who suffer from hyperopia (aka farsightedness).Refractive errors exist when the cornea and lens of the eye fail to focus light rays directly on the retina. This can result when the light rays are focused behind the retina, which is known as hyperopia or farsightedness. Far-sighted individuals see better far away, but more blurry close-up. In our practice, the vast majority of individuals with far-sightedness do very well after one LASIK treatment. Surgeon experience in performing LASIK is the most important factor that determines the success of surgery. |
|
|
Wavefront or Custom CorneaWavefront is a way to measure and treat higher order aberrations in the eye. Some people may benefit from this type of lasik. Discuss with the doctor if this is beneficial for you. |
|
|
Excimer LaserThe excimer laser is an extremely accurate and advanced instrument that is used for surgery on the cornea. It works by producing a computer guided beam of ultraviolet laser light (193nm) that vaporizes microscopic layers (.25 microns per pulse) of cornea with each laser pulse. When the laser beam is applied to the cornea in multiple pulses of varying shapes and sizes, a precise customized new shape is created on the cornea. In effect, the laser beam is able to reshape the cornea that will allow the treated eye to focus clearly without relying on a lens in front of the eye to focus the picture. How precise is the excimer laser?Each pulse removes. 25 microns of corneal tissue. A red blood cell is 7 microns in diameter and a human hair is 50 microns in diameter. | ||
New TechnologyWhen an object, such as the book, is brought within several inches of the eye, rays of light from this object diverge, are converged by the cornea and the natural crystalline lens in an attempt to focus on the retina. To allow this to happen, the human lens will accommodate, i.e. become thicker centrally and optically more powerful causing further bending of the rays of light until they focus on the retina.Thin fibers, called zonules, attach the lens to a circular muscle called the cilliary muscle. As long as the zonules are taut, the ccommodative reflex will work; the cilliary muscle contracts, shortening the zonules. The elastic fibers of the lens can now retract permitting the lens to thicken, increasing its power and allowing you to read. Accommodation is a naturally occurring reflex which works fine until the mid 40's when, unfortunately, reading glasses are required to achieve this, (place cursor over image). The diminished capability of the crystalline lens, by continually increasing in length as it ages, is believed to be related to the way the lens is supported in the eye. At some point, the lens has grown so large that the zonules are no longer taut, preventing the accommodative reflex from occurring. New Technologies such as scleral relaxing bands and lasers that target this area are under development. Stay tuned for new developments. |
|
|
|||||||
| |