LASIK

Ever wonder what it would be like to wake up in the morning with clear, crisp vision – without glasses or contacts?

That is how millions of people wake up after LASIK surgery, and you may be able to, as well! Here at Advanced Valley Eye Associates, we are dedicated to providing the best laser vision correction services in the area.

The goal of LASIK surgery is to reduce the dependence on glasses and contact lenses. This is done by reshaping the cornea – the front surface of the eye. Usually, the reason for a refractive error (a need for glasses) is that the cornea is incorrectly shaped to focus light on the back of the eye (the retina). This results in blurry vision.

LASIK surgery (which stands for Laser-Assisted In situ Keratomileusis) is one of many vision correction procedures. LASIK surgery corrects common refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism, often permanently.

The LASIK Procedure

There are three main steps to LASIK surgery. The first step is to create a detailed map of the surface of the cornea as part of a full consultation evaluation. The mapping is what makes some LASIK procedures “custom”. Dr. Miller will use this corneal map to see exactly which part of your cornea needs reshaping, and plan your treatment to maximize your results.

The second step is to create a corneal “flap” on the front surface of the eye. At Advanced Valley Eye Associates, we use a “bladeless” LASIK method, using a femtosecond laser. This laser will create a thin, circular flap (with a hinge) in the middle of the cornea. The corneal flap will be gently pulled away to expose the inner layers of the cornea for treatment, followed by replacement of the flap.

The third step is the reshaping the cornea. An excimer laser will be programmed with your prescription and using any adjustments dictated by the corneal topography. The excimer laser removes microscopic amounts of corneal tissue to even out the surface. Once this step is finished, the flap is carefully replaced, and the procedure is complete!

Our LASIK Technology

At Advanced Valley Eye Associates, we are proud to offer the finest LASIK technology in the industry. We use the AMO Intralase (iFS upgrade) for the flap formation, and the VISX S4 with the most advanced tracking programs installed. We believe that this dedication to keeping up with the newest equipment is what yields great results.

VISX WavePrint System

The VISX WavePrint System is combined with the VISX S4 Excimer laser. This technology is part of the first step of LASIK: creating the corneal surface map. The WaveScan creates a detailed map of the visual pathways of the eye. What makes this device so special is that it provides detailed information to your doctor beyond just your prescription. That means that your doctor can see the unique curvature irregularities of your eye.

Once this information is obtained, it can be incorporated into the machine used for the third step, the VISX S4 excimer LASIK procedure. The information obtained during the initial scan will tell the excimer laser exactly how to reshape the eye for optimal results.

IntraLase™ Femtosecond Laser

This technology is used during the second step of LASIK. The IntraLase™ femtosecond laser allows us to perform “bladeless” LASIK procedures. This is a 100% blade-free technology that creates precise corneal flaps on the surface of the eye. The IntraLase™ laser works by forming microscopic bubbles just beneath the surface of the cornea in a predetermined area and depth. These bubbles then allow the front layer of the cornea to be easily lifted, with no damage to the tissue.

VISX S4 Custom WaveScan System

As mentioned above, the VISX Custom WaveScan System is a combination of WaveScan technology and an excimer laser. The two work together to provide extremely customized results. The VISX S4 excimer laser will reshape the eye quickly and effectively. This excimer laser is considered one of the best on the market today.

The original FDA clinical study showed that one year after treatment with the VISX S4 Custom WaveScan System:

• 100% of patients could pass a driving test
• 98% of people could see 20/20 or better
• 70% of people could see better than 20/20