Individuals who would like to have their nearsightedness corrected without glasses or contact lenses may want to investigate a procedure known as LASIK (laser vision correction).
LASIK, reports Dr. Altman, has gained wide acceptance in recent years as the most effective way of reducing or eliminating nearsightedness without the use of refractive lenses. The excimer laser that is used in the LASIK procedure was first approved in October of 1995, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. More recently, in the spring of 2003, a modified LASIK procedure (Wavefront Custom) LASIK was approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Wavefront LASIK uses an extra measurement device, known as a Wavefront analyzer to capture an individualized "fingerprint" of a patient's cornea, so that treatment can be designed that is truly unique and specific to even subtle irregularities that differentiate one patient's cornea from another. Not all patients qualify for Wavefront (Custom) LASIK, as the Food and Drug Administration approved it for only for patients with less than 6½ diopters of nearsightedness and less than 3 diopters of astigmatism. However, if a patient qualifies, this offers the very best chance of getting uncorrected 20/20 vision or better, typically higher than 90%.
The ophthalmic surgeon in LASIK uses the laser to lightly sculpt or reshape the surface of the cornea, which is the clear front window of the eye. A cold beam of ultraviolet light is used to vaporize a very thin layer of tissue from the superficial cornea
The whole idea of this delicate shaving process is to manage the
entry of light through the cornea, pupil and lens so that it focuses on the retina
- not in front or behind it - to produce clear vision.
Laser vision correction (LASIK) is a noninvasive procedure that is performed as an outpatient in our state of the art ambulatory surgery center, the Pennsylvania Eye & Ear Surgery Center. This is a fully licensed facility dedicated to sterility and the highest quality eye care. With the computer controlled excimer laser, Dr. Altman and Dr. Lu can achieve precise changes in the shape of your cornea, to attempt to optimize your uncorrected vision.
Tiny molecules of tissue are vaporized one layer at a time, without damaging the underlying tissue. The laser is so precise that it can remove tissue 0.25 microns at a time. A human hair is 200 times that thickness.
Before LASIK is performed, the patient receives a
thorough medical eye examination, a refraction and a sophisticated computer
analysis of the eye and its dimensions.
After the eye is anesthetized with topical drops, the surgeon,
controlling the number of laser light pulses, spends about three minutes operating on each
eye.
After the operation, the patient may experience temporary
irritation, tearing or light sensitivity for two to three days. Patients generally
continue a post-operative regimen of eye drops for two to four months, along with office
visits.
The excimer laser Dr. Altman uses for LASIK is a state-of-the-art VISX S4 laser with smooth scan and eye tracking. This affects the cost of the procedure, which is $1,950 per eye for conventional LASIK and $2,450 per eye for Wavefront (Custom) LASIK. Wavefront (Custom) LASIK uses an additional machine known as a Wavefront analyzer. This is the most advanced technology to thoroughly map and plot out a "fingerprint" of the patient's visual system. Additionally with Wavefront LASIK, a "flying laser spot" is used for the most customized procedure possible. Though not all patients meet FDA criteria for Wavefront (Custom) LASIK, greater than 90% of the patients that have this procedure will obtain uncorrected vision of 20/20 or better. Additionally, subjective visual complaints of halos or glare around lights at night, while low with appropriately selected patients who undergo conventional LASIK, are further decreased with Wavefront LASIK.
Dr. Altman is a walking testimonial for laser vision correction, since he had the operation done on his own
eyes in 1995
