LASIK eye surgery
Are you tired of the hassles of glasses and contact lenses or tired of not being able to read the alarm clock at night. Many people have struggled with refractive errors that can be treated with laser vision correction. Millions of people around the world have experienced excellent vision with LASIK eye surgery and other forms of laser vision correction. If you think LASIK could help you we encourage you to read through our laser vision correction section of this website. Laser vision correction is now in its second decade of helping patients reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses and contact lenses. Schedule a FREE LASIK consultation to learn how this can help you see better.
LASIK is for those who:
- Want to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses or contacts
- Are at least 18 years of age
- Have had a stable eye prescription for at least one year
- Have no health issues affecting their eyes
- Have no signs of glaucoma or cataracts
Types of Laser Vision Correction
- LASIK eye surgery
- Bladeless LASIK
- Wavefront Custom LASIK
- PRK (Photo-Refractive Keratoplasty)
- ASA (Advanced Surface Ablation)
What is LASIK?
LASIK eye surgery is a procedure that corrects certain vision problems, reducing or eliminating the need for eyeglasses or corrective lenses. LASIK actually stands for Laser in-situ keratomileusis. (the technical term for the surgical procedure) LASIK eye surgery is the most common type of refractive surgery. Refractive surgery changes the shape of your cornea to correct your vision. This procedure can be quite effective, and has very few side effects. LASIK is a great option for many individuals considering laser vision correction for a variety of very personal and professional reasons. LASIK may not promise perfect vision, however; it is a highly successful procedure that can at the very least reduce a person’s dependence on glasses or contact lenses. The lifestyle benefits can be tremendous for active and social people. These benefits can enable people to more freely pursue their hobbies, sports activities or career options.
The LASIK procedure explained:
With LASIK surgery, precise and controlled removal of corneal tissue using an excimer laser gently reshapes the cornea, thus changing the focusing power.
After you complete the pre-operative preparation and cleaning you will be positioned under the laser microscope. A lid speculum will be used to hold back your eyelids so you cannot blink. Next, a microkeratome device is used to create a corneal flap. A very fine layer of the outer corneal surface is lifted back. The next step of LASIK eye surgery is to use an excimer laser to remove microscopic amounts of tissue to reshape the cornea. Lastly, the flap is returned to its original position and reseals itself.
What to Expect After LASIK Surgery
Immediately after the procedure, your eye may itch, or feel like there is something in it. You may experience some discomfort, or in some cases, mild pain. Both your eyes may tear or water. Your vision will probably be hazy or blurry. You will instinctively want to rub your eye, but don't! Rubbing your eye could dislodge the flap. In addition, you may experience sensitivity to light as well. These symptoms should improve considerably within the first few days after LASIK surgery.
Am I A Good Candidate For LASIK?
People who want to minimize their dependence on glasses or contact lenses make good candidates for LASIK. Lifestyle, hobbies, and amount of correction needed are all factors that may determine whether you are a good candidate. The ideal candidate for LASIK is over 18 years of age, not pregnant, and free of any eye disease. You should experience stable vision for at least one year before having LASIK.
LASIK Technology
Berks Eye Physicians is proud to offer state of the art LASIK eye surgery equipment to our patients.
Excimer Laser Technology
The VISX STAR platform's history of dependability and performance is well known in ophthalmology. The STAR S4™ IR from VISX has taken that reputation to an even higher level. This excimer laser system represents the most advanced laser technology platform available today. Integrating data collected by the WaveScan WaveFront System, the STAR S4™ IR utilizes these exclusive VISX technologies to deliver precision custom ablations:
- Iris Registration (IR): The first FDA-approved, fully automated, non-contact method of alignment of the correct CustomVue treatment to the corneal site
- Variable Spot Scanning (VSS): Variable beam sizes from as small as 0.65
- Variable Repetition Rate (VRR): VRR delivers treatment at varying repetition rates, optimizing treatment time
- ActiveTrak 3-D Active Eye Tracking: Captures all 3 dimensions of intra- operative eye movements-no dilation required
- ActiveTrak Automatic Centering: Locates, and then automatically sets the treatment center to the center of the pupil.
CustomVue™ Wavefront LASIK
The CustomVue™ LASIK process begins with a pre-operative consultation to inform you about the technology and the procedure. An evaluation follows to assess your overall eye health and to measure and create a detailed and unique WavePrint® map of your eyes. On the day of the procedure, your unique correction information is transferred directly from the WaveScan™ to the Visx STAR S4™ Laser where the LASIK procedure takes place.
CustomVue™ LASIK Clinical Study Results (VISX LASIK FDA STUDY)
VISX's FDA clinical study results were remarkable. Among other things:
1 year after the VISX CustomVue procedure:
- 100% of the clinical study participants could pass a driving test without glasses or contacts
- 98% of the clinical study participants could see 20/20 or better without glasses or contacts
- 70% of the clinical study participants could see 20/16 or better without glasses or contacts
LASIK eye surgery is not for everyone; there are certainly health and lifestyle considerations to take into account when deciding if this LASIK surgery is for you. Start with a FREE LASIK consultation to start the process of understanding if you are a LASIK candidate.