For the past 20 years Laser Eye Center has been a leader in the Refractive Surgery Industry. As one of the largest refractive-surgery centers in California, our team of highly experienced Ophthalmologists has performed over 200,000 refractive surgeries. At Laser Eye Center we believe that in addition to experience, high quality of vision correction is the essence to a successful practice. Going beyond 20/20 is our goal. At the Laser eye center we offer the latest most advanced FDA approved technology to our patients so they can attain the best quality of vision available today.(09 February 2008 - Blog article Dr. Boothe Eye Center )
LASEK- Or epi-LASIK, may be a Laser Eye Surgery option for patients with thinner corneal epithelia. A solution is used to raise the epithelium. A "bubble" forms through the center of the microkeratome, making it safe to create a flap. After the laser application, the flap is repositioned on the cornea and held in place by a soft, non-prescription contact lens.
LASIK
LASIK is a more complex procedure than PRK. It is performed for all degrees of nearsightedness. The surgeon uses a knife called a microkeratome to cut a flap of corneal tissue, removes the targeted tissue beneath it with the laser, and then replaces the flap.
"With LASIK, the skill of the surgeon is important because he'll be making an incision," says Stephen Crawford, O.D., an optometrist practicing in Virginia, "compared to the PRK method where the machine does more of the work." Crawford urges people to find qualified, experienced doctors to perform this surgery. "You'll want someone who's done a number of LASIK procedures since this is a surgeon-dependent operation," he said.
According to Ken Taylor, O.D., vice president of Arthur D. Little, Inc., a technology and management consultant firm in Cambridge, Mass., "Last year, across the country, 40 to 45 percent of refractive surgeries performed by physicians were LASIK, which equates to approximately 80,000 procedures." Doctors not participating in clinical trials may choose to use the approved laser to perform LASIK procedures at their discretion, says Morris Waxler, Ph.D., chief of FDA's diagnostic and surgical devices section. But most uses are considered "off label" and are not regulated by FDA.
Wavefront / Custom LASIK
At Laser Eye Center, our surgeons are the first to utilize LADARWavey® CUSTOMCORNEA® wavefront technology to measure and address both lower and higher order aberrations (visual imperfections in the eye's optical system). Unless both lower and higher order aberrations are addressed during laser vision correction, the quality of your vision may not be ideal, even if you have post-operative vision of 20/20.
WILL MY PROCEDURE BE PAINFUL?
Patients experience virtually no discomfort during the LASIK Vision Correction procedure. Eye drop anesthesia is used to numb the eye prior to the procedure, so no injections are necessary. Immediately after treatment, some patients have reported minor discomfort, like having an eyelash or a dry contact lens in their eye.Dr. Boothe Laser Center
Excimer Laser- An excimer laser refers to a cool laser. Excimer lasers use cool beams of ultraviolet light to evaporate corneal tissue during vision correction.
LADAR
Using laser and radar technology developed by NASA, LADARVision® was the first approved system with active eye tracking, which compensates for involuntary eye movements. Although other laser systems have now developed eye-tracking systems, LADARVision® has the only system utilizing laser radar tracking technology, a system that measures eye movement 4,000 times each second and is capable of following eye movements regardless of how rapid or erratic they may be. Successful laser application does not rely on your ability to hold your eye perfectly still. (04 December 2009 Dr. Boothe Eye Care )
Boothe Eye Care article
Dry Eyes After LASIK - Some patients may experience dry eyes after LASIK and PRK. Often it is a temporary side effect during the healing process. If a patient is prone to dry eyes, our medical teams may discuss options with the patient, or discuss non-candidacy if the patient's eyes are too dry to have laser vision correction.
Ophthalmologist- An opthalmologist is a medical doctor whose specialization is vision. An opthalmologist can diagnose vision concerns, treat vision concerns, manage vision concerns, perform eye surgery, prescribe medicine, and ophthalmologists can perform laser eye surgery.( 11 September 2009 Press article Dr. Boothe Eye Care )
