What is LASIK?
LASIK is a laser eye surgery technique that reshapes the surface of the cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. LASIK combines the accuracy of the excimer laser with a procedure called Lamellar Keratoplasty. The doctor creates a thin flap of corneal tissue using a surgical instrument called a microkeratome, which is a tool with a blade that cuts a circular flap of tissue from the surface of the cornea. This thin flap of corneal tissue, attached by a hinge, is folded back, exposing the inner layer of the cornea. Next, the excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea. After the inner tissue of the cornea is reshaped, the flap is repositioned, without the need for stitches. To learn more about LASIK, contact our Vision Correction Center in Miami.
What is CustomVue™?
CustomVue is an individualized laser vision correction procedure that is WaveScan™ – driven. WaveScan™ Wavefront Technology is a tabletop diagnostic system which produces a detailed map of the eye – much like a fingerprint. This map gives the doctor a representation of your vision, based on the behavior of light waves. The result is an in-depth representation of the refractive error or aberrations present in your eye. This allows the doctor to measure imperfections in your vision 25 times more precisely than standard methods used for glasses and contact lenses. The CustomVue™ treatment is "custom" because it includes information from the WaveScan System that is more individualized than what a doctor uses to program a non-custom treatment. Learn more by contacting Center For Excellence in Eye Care's Vision Correction Center in Miami.
You’re Probably A Candidate for iLASIK™
Now that the iLASIK procedure is available, there’s really no reason to put off having LASIK laser vision correction. The iLASIK technology is safe and proven. The reality is that the majority of people who meet the age and general health requirements are in fact good candidates for the iLASIK procedure. And the best part of the iLASIK procedure is that it is fast and simple.
Like all surgery, iLASIK surgery has some risks we will discuss with you during your consultation. If you meet the basic requirements, you may be a candidate if:
- You are at least 21 years of age
- You are in good general health
- You have had a stable vision prescription for at least one year
- You have no existing eye disease
How does laser vision correction work?
Laser vision correction procedures (PRK and LASIK) work by removing tissue from the surface of the eye (cornea). To correct nearsightedness, the cornea needs to be flatter, so the laser removes tissue from the center of the cornea. If a patient has astigmatism, the eye is flattened more along one axis (e.g., vertical) than in the other (e.g., horizontal). To correct farsightedness (hyperopia), the center of the cornea is steepened, so the laser removes tissue from the periphery rather than the center.
What is Blade-free LASIK?
Traditionally an instrument called a microkeratome was used to create a corneal flap. With Blade-Free LASIK, the microkeratome is replaced with a femtosecond laser (Intralase Method™). This laser creates tiny pulses of laser light that pass through the outer portion of your cornea and form a layer of microscopic bubbles just beneath the surface of your eye. When it is time for your LASIK treatment to be performed, your doctor separates the corneal tissue at the bubble layer and then folds it back, thus creating your flap. Next, the excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea (stroma). After the inner tissue of the corneal is reshaped, the flap is repositioned, without the need for stitches.
Our LASIK Technology
Our Vision Correction Center in Miami provides the iLASIK procedure which combines all of the latest technology into one LASIK procedure. The iLASIK procedure utilizes the VISX Wavescan™ System to create a personal vision profile; a digital 3-D custom map of your eye, the Intralase laser to create the corneal flap and the VISX STAR S4™ to reshape the cornea.
Step 1 – Creating Your Personal Vision Profile
The first step in the iLASIK procedure is to perform a series of tests to determine the individual characteristics of your vision using Advanced CustomVue® Wavescan technology. The Wavescan system creates a 3-D map of the unique imperfections of your eyes. This technology provides 25 times more precise measurements than with standard methods used for glasses and contact lenses. This map is used to drive the laser that corrects your vision.
Step 2 – Making The iLASIK Flap
The iLASIK procedure exclusively uses the Intralase Method, a 100% blade free approach to creating your corneal flap – the thin flap of tissue that the doctor folds back in order to perform your LASIK procedure. The Intralase laser creates an extremely precise flap by producing tiny bubbles inside the cornea (clear front surface of the eye) The Intralase Method can only be performed using the FDA-approved Intralase laser.
Step 3 – Your Laser Vision Correction
Now that the corneal flap has been created, your vision can be corrected using the Advanced CustomVue treatment utilizing the VISX Star S4™ excimer laser. The VISX STAR S4™ laser system is FDA approved to treat the broadest range of vision imperfections, including mild to severe nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.