Since 2001 the Lasik surgical procedure has become the most common form of elective surgery preformed in the United States. Lasik can greatly improve nearsightedness (myopia) farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism.

Many people love the option of getting rid of their eyeglasses and or contacts, however they cringe at the thought of having surgery performed on their eyes. We're hoping that we can help you overcome any fear by providing helpful information about Lasik. With time tested technology and fine-tuned surgical skill, this procedure is one of the safest, most effective eye treatments available. We believe the benefits of Lasik far outweigh the risks.

The Lasik eye surgery procedure is based on the premise that imperfections in vision are caused by the misshaped cornea. Therefore the more perfectly shaped the cornea, the better one's vision will be. Lasik surgery provides, with little or no discomfort, the ability to reshape the cornea and correct these imperfections.

Prior to having Lasik either Dr. Bell or Dr. Fontana will meet with you to conduct a complete medical evaluation and discuss your vision history and determine whether you are good candidate for the procedure. At Eye 35 Eye Care this consultation is free of charge. At the time of your consultation we will conduct a topography testing which will give us a “map” of your cornea.  Corneal thickness testing will also help us determine if you are good Lasik candidate

Prior to your Lasik procedure a WaveScan test will be preformed.  WaveScan-based digital technology identifies and measures imperfections in the eye 25 times more precisely than standard methods. The powerful WaveScan software translates the information into a set of treatment instructions for the laser. These digital treatment instructions are transferred to the laser, which provide an exact level of precision and accuracy for your surgery. 

To correct nearsightedness (myopia), the laser is used to flatten the central corneal surface, enabling light to focus on the retina.

To correct farsightedness (hyperopia), the laser is used to flatten the peripheral or outer edge of the cornea, causing the central portion to steepen and increase its power.

To correct astigmatism, (blurry vision) the laser is used to reshape portions of the cornea, flattening the steeper areas in an elliptical pattern.

How the Lasik procedure works

Traditional LASIK surgery
In traditional Lasik surgery, a round, thin flap is cut from the cornea's surface such that part of the surface is still connected. It is gently laid back to expose the stroma, the next level of tissue. Then an excimer laser is directed precisely onto the stroma to vaporize tiny areas, thus removing irregularities that are causing defective vision. The flap is then placed back over the stroma and the cornea is 85 - 90% healed in one day.

IntraLase Bladeless Surgery
The difference between IntraLase and traditional Lasik is in how the Lasik surgeon creates the corneal flap, which is the first step in the Lasik procedure. IntraLase is blade-free Lasik surgery. The IntraLase procedure is more precise and yields better vision with fewer complications than using a microkeratome blade for Lasik. Traditional Lasik uses a hand held microkeratome to create the corneal flap. A microkeratome is a precise cutting tool with a metal blade. Using a microkeratome to create the flap works well and your results will be acceptable.

With the IntraLase, however, the surgeon creates the flap with infrared laser energy, in pulses of one quadrillionth of a second. The IntraLase Method uses tiny, rapid pulses of laser light to create your corneal flap, instead of using a metal blade. Each pulse of light passes through the top layers of your cornea and forms a microscopic bubble at an exact depth and position within your eye that is determined by the doctor. The IntraLase laser moves back and forth across your eye, creating a uniform layer of bubbles just beneath your corneal surface.

Just prior to applying laser vision correction, the doctor creates your corneal flap by gently separating the tissue where these bubbles have formed. The corneal flap is then gently laid back so the doctor can perform of your Lasik treatment.

A few of the advantages of using the IntraLase to create the Lasik flap include:

• Prevents the formation of "buttonhole" flaps which can create scars that affect vision
• Prevents uneven flap edges which can create problems such as irregular astigmatism
• Creates a flap with edges which are less likely to tear
• Creates a flap which is tailored to your individual eye
• Creates a flap that seals into place much better and faster than a flap created by a microkeratome
• Increases the chance of achieving 20/20 vision or better
• Reduces the likelihood of a need for touch-up procedures

Once the flap has been created, the rest of the Lasik procedure is the same. An excimer laser is used to ablate the exposed surface and reshape the cornea to correct your refractive error. The entire procedure takes about ten minutes. Recovery periods are similar between the two methods, but the flap itself tends to re-adhere and heal more quickly after IntraLase. In most cases you will experience improved vision immediately after your surgery, although the stabilizing and healing process can take up to six months.

At the time of your consultation you and Dr. Bell or Dr. Fontana can discuss which method is best for you.

Schedule Your Free Lasik Consultation Today!

Before we perform the Lasik procedure we provide a diagnostic exam. Tell us about yourself so we can evaluate your personal needs to develop your personalized eye care solution.