is the laser corrective procedure that has been performed on over 40 million people worldwide since its FDA approval in the United States in 1995. LASIK is effective in correcting myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. It can also be used to correct presbyopia, which is when near vision deteriorates as we get older.
Blade-Free LASIK
involves the use of a Femtosecond Laser to create a corneal flap, the thin flap of tissue that is lifted in order to perform the excimer laser treatment. The Bausch and Lomb Victus™ Femtosecond Laser Platform creates a customized corneal flap with computer precision. No blade is used on the surface of the eye and so this procedure is both precise and safe. Laser vision correction permanently changes the shape of the cornea and can provide years of freedom from contact lenses or glasses. The laser vision correction procedure takes only minutes to perform and recovery is quick and painless, with little downtime.
Laser surface ablations (also know as Photorefractive Keratectomy or PRK) is an alternative laser refractive treatments for individuals who are not LASIK candidates. The excimer laser is used to remove microscopic amount of tissue guided by the ZYOPTIX™ system. Myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia and astigmatism can be treated with a high degree of accuracy. This technique eliminates the need for a corneal cap, and is indicated for patients with thin or irregular corneas, corneal dystrophies or for those who engage in activities where they are predisposed to eye trauma. Although complete healing and stabilization of vision can take as long as a month with this procedure, excellent results are obtained with the Custom ZYOPTIX™ treatments.
For patients over 40 years of age who have started to experience presbyopia or loss of near vision, monovision treatment involves correcting the dominant eye for distance vision and leaving the non-dominant eye near-sighted for near vision. This involves a period of neuroadaptation and some patients require night driving glasses to improve their distance vision in their reading eye at night.
