What is Laser Vision Correction?

In the early 1990's, refractive surgery experienced the dawning of a new era with the advent of the Excimer Laser.  Laser in-Situ Keratomileusis or LASIK (FDA approved) uses the excimer laser in a surgical process that corrects both eyes and takes less than 30 minutes to perform and can eliminate your dependency on contact lenses and glasses. 

Laser Vision Correction

LASIK can truly change your life. You can experience the freedom of seeing clearly when playing sports, swimming, even something as simple as seeing the alarm clock when getting up in the morning.

Laser vision correction was first approved in America by the Food and Drug Administration in November 1995, although, the first laser procedure was performed in Germany back in 1987. To date, there have been over 4 million laser vision procedures performed throughout the world (approximately 1 million per year).

The LASIK Procedure

The LASIK procedure (Laser in-Situ Keratomileusis) combines two sophisticated techniques to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism. The surgery is painless and eliminates or reduces the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses to see objects clearly.  Patients are usually able see more clearly within 24 hours.

The first technique involves the use of an automated instrument, the microkeratome (Hansatome), to create a thin protective layer of corneal tissue (flap) that covers the area to be sculpted by the laser.  This flap allows for rapid recovery of vision and reduces discomfort after the procedure. 

The second technique uses the excimer laser to sculpt the underlying cornea, correcting the refractive error. The eye is not patched, but a protective shield is placed over the eye to prevent inadvertent rubbing of the eye.  Visual recovery is typically rapid, and there is little or no post-operative pain.  Eye drops, including an antibiotic to guard against infection, are taken for a week.

Wavefront Technology

Every eye is unique. With WaveScan Technology, our doctors can now customize your LASIK procedure to reflect those subtle differences. The results could mean even better vision than we have been able to obtain in the past with Laser Vision Correction.

With technology developed for use in high-powered telescopes, VISX has adapted this technology for use in individualized laser vision correction to treat nearsighted and astigmatic individuals.  With WaveScan Technology, our doctors are able to carefully measure the unique characteristics of your vision and develop a treatment plan custom tailored just for your eyes.

The procedure starts with your doctor generating a WavePrint of each of your eyes. He then transfers that data directly into the laser to customize your laser procedure. The VISX Star S4 laser received FDA approval for this remarkable advancement in Laser Vision Correction in the Spring of 2003.