LASIK

Understanding refractive errors

Nearsightedness
Nearsightedness (Myopia) occurs when the cornea is too curved or the eye is too long. This causes light to focus in front of the retina, resulting in blurry distance vision.

Farsightedness
Farsightedness (Hyperopia) occurs when the cornea is too flat in relation to the length of the eye. This causes light to focus at a point beyond the retina, resulting in blurry close vision and sometimes blurry distance vision as well.

Astigmatism
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is shaped like a football (more curved in one direction than the other) and often occurs with nearsightedness or farsightedness. This causes light to focus in more than one point on the retina, resulting in blurry and distorted vision.

Presbyopia
Presbyopia is the natural aging process of the eye that affects everyone, usually starting around age 40. As we age, the natural lens in our eye loses flexibility, thereby decreasing the ability to focus on things up-close creating the need for reading glasses, bifocals or even trifocals. Presbyopia is unlike nearsightedness and farsightedness, which are related to the length of your eye, and cannot be corrected by LASIK. However, Progressive EyeCare is proud to offer alternative options to reading glasses; MonoVision LASIK and Multifocal Intraocular Lenses (IOLs).

Understanding the LASIK procedure

LASIK, laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis, is one of the most popular vision correction procedures because it can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism for a broad range of prescriptions. LASIK corrects vision by reshaping the cornea so that light focuses more precisely on the retina. Today, with the advanced technology of CustomVue and Intralase, combined with the expertise of the Progressive EyeCare surgeons, many of our patients see better than they did with their glasses or contacts.

The LASIK Procedure Step by Step
After your eye has been numbed with eye drop anesthesia, an eyelid speculum will be positioned to hold your eyes open. You will remain awake and comfortable throughout the procedure. Once the procedure is completed, you will be given additional eye drops. Your vision will probably be a little blurry at first, so have someone drive you home and relax for the rest of the day. Recovery from LASIK is amazingly fast. At Progressive EyeCare, you can count on us to be there every step of the way.


Step 1 – Using WaveScan technology, we take a “fingerprint” of your eye and your entire visual path, which is called a WavePrint map. This detailed information is evaluated by your surgeon. For the CustomVue procedure, this information is transferred into the laser.

Step 2 – The Intralase is used to create the corneal flap with the safety and predictability of a computer-controlled laser beam. Your surgeon then folds the flap back to prepare the eye for the Excimer laser.

Step 3 – Using the VISX Star S4 Excimer laser, a cool beam of light gently reshapes the cornea.

Step 4 – Finally, the protective flap that was created in Step Two is gently placed back in its original position and begins to heal immediately.

Technology

Intralase®
Intralase®, or All-Laser LASIK is an entirely new level of precision in laser vision correction. In traditional LASIK, the first step of the LASIK procedure is performed with a hand-held metal blade, or microkeratome. Although traditional LASIK has been an effective procedure, All-Laser LASIK uses a computer-controlled laser eliminating many of the possible complications seen with the mechanical device. The surgeons at Progressive EyeCare believe Intralase is more predictable and more precise than traditional LASIK. And, you can be rest assured of our commitment to offering you the most advanced technology available today.

How does Intralase work?
Intralase is exclusive technology that allows your surgeon to program the exact dimensions of your flap based on what’s best for your eye. The Intralase process takes about 30 seconds and is quiet and comfortable

1. Ultra-fast pulses of laser light position microscopic bubbles at a precise depth determined by your surgeon.
2. The laser light safely passes through your cornea and creates a row of these bubbles just beneath the corneal surface as it moves back and forth across your eye.
3. Next, the Intralase laser places additional bubbles around the diameter of your cornea creating the edges of your flap.
4. Your surgeon then gently lifts the flap to allow for the cornea to be treated with the Excimer laser in the next step of your procedure.

View Video Clip

Progressive Eyecare Study on IntraLASE i. Study Overview: Leading eye surgeons Richard M. Launer, M.D., and John C. Foley, M.D. are currently conducting a comparative study on the safety and efficacy of FDAapproved laser technology known as the IntraLase® versus the conventional bladed method of the microkeratome. The IntraLase technology is used during the initial step of the LASIK procedure to create a thin cornea flap. IntraLase is the first company of its kind to develop this laser technology, which is designed to not only replace the mechanical device used in conventional LASIK, but to also make LASIK safer and more precise. ii. Currently the IntraLase method has already been used on over one million eyes. Among those who had the IntraLase method and stated a preference, the vision of the IntraLase method was preferred up to 3 to 1 over the vision in the bladed method. iii. This limited study will Monitor the results of our custom LASIK procedure, using the IntraLase method. Our doctors and staff will be monitoring post-operative healing, patient comfort, overall patient safety, final refractive outcome (visual result) and overall patient satisfaction. Results from this study will be compared to the results of prior patients who had the procedure done with the conventional ‘bladed’ technology using a mechanical device known as a microkeratome. iv. The study will involve Patient evaluation,examination and input at the following intervals: 1. All pre-operative visits 2. 1-day post-operative visit 3. 3-week post-operative visit 4. 3-month post-op visit 5. 1-year post-op visit v. To qualify for this study, you must be above age 21, have naturally occurring myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, have had no previous eye surgery, have generally healthy corneas and be willing to complete all pre and post-operative office visits. There is no upper age limit to this study. All qualified candidates in this study will receive a complimentary upgrade to custom IntraLase, a savings of $1000. vi. The length of our initial clinical study on IntraLase will be limited to the first 80 patients who qualify. All potential candidates will receive a complimentary comprehensive LASIK evaluation to determine their candidacy. vi. The normal ‘Informed Consent’ process and patient education applies to study candidates as well, and they will be required to sign standard patient consent forms used for conventional LASIK patients. The list of standard risks, complications and side effects associated with standard LASIK apply to study candidates as well.

VISX Star S4 laser
At Progressive EyeCare Associates we are committed to offering you the latest in vision correction technology. We use the advanced VISX® Star S4 laser which has many exclusive features:
• WavePrint™ - The VISX WaveScan® allows us to create a map or “fingerprint” of your entire visual path called a WavePrint™ map. This advanced technology shows us the minute details of your vision, allowing us to treat the tiny irregularities in your vision.
• Variable Spot Scanning (VSS) – Produces seven variable sized treatment beams, allowing our doctors greater flexibility for faster, smoother treatments.
• 3D ActiveTrak™ - Automatically tracks the tiny motions of your eye in all three dimensions, providing additional control and precision and reducing your worries.

VISX® CustomVue™ - High Definition Vision
CustomVue™ is the new standard in LASIK. With this system, Dr. Launer and Dr. Foley can treat more than simple nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. CustomVue™ allows us to analyze your eyes’ specific irregularities with 25 times more accuracy than standard measurements used for glasses or contacts to completely customize your treatment.

With CustomVue, patients have the potential to see better than they ever have before with glasses or contacts and with better night vision. In fact, in a clinical study, four times as many patients were very satisfied with their night vision after their VISX® CustomVue™ procedure, compared to their night vision before with glasses or contacts.


Step 1 – CAPTURE the imperfections in your vision.




Step 2 – MATCH your vision to a perfect optical system.




Step 3 – TREAT with unsurpassed precision.


The benefits of CustomVue
• 20/20 vision or better is now possible, without glasses or contacts.*
• Improved night vision for many patients.
• Reduced side effects such as halos and glare.
• With CustomVue, you may see better than you’ve ever seen before!

Are you a LASIK candidate?

÷ Are over 18
÷ Have had stable vision for the past 2 years
÷ Have healthy eyes – free of diseases, scars and other health conditions
÷ Have realistic expectations for LASIK
A free VIP exam with Progressive EyeCare can further determine the most appropriate procedure for you.

Not a LASIK candidate?

If you have been told that you are not a candidate for LASIK, Progressive EyeCare invites you to come in for a Free VIP LASIK exam. In some cases, patients who have astigmatism, thin corneas or even severe nearsightedness have been told they don’t have options. At Progressive EyeCare, we have been dedicated to offering the most advanced technology available today to our patients. It is because of this dedication that we are proud to help more patients than ever before enjoy the freedom better vision provides thanks to CustomVue, All-Laser LASIK, the Visian ICL, PRK and advanced multifocal lenses.

See all of your options today:

CustomVue – Have astigmatism? More than 94% of the eligible population is potential candidates for the CustomVue LASIK procedure

All-Laser LASIK – With the high level of accuracy found with the Intralase laser, Dr. Launer and Dr. Foley can now treat patients with steep, flat or thin corneas.

Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) – Progressive EyeCare is proud to offer the FDA-approved Visian ICL, designed specifically for patients who are moderately to severely nearsighted.

PRK – If you have been told you are not a candidate for LASIK, PRK may be a better alternative for you.

Advanced Multifocal Lenses – Have cataracts but want to reduce your dependence on your glasses as well? Progressive EyeCare may have the answer you are looking for with refractive lensectomy and two FDA-approved multifocal lenses; ReSTOR and ReZoom.

Links for more information

http://www.PersonalBestVision.com