Dr. William Boothe Eye Care

Optometrist: A health care professional who is licensed to provide primary eye care services:
* to examine and diagnose eye diseases such as glaucoma , cataracts , and retinal diseases and, in certain states in the U.S., to treat them;
* to diagnose related systemic (bodywide) conditions such as hypertension and diabetes that may affect the eyes;
* to examine, diagnose and treat visual conditions such as nearsightedness , farsightedness , astigmatism and presbyopia ; and
* to prescribe glasses, contact lenses, low vision rehabilitation and medications as well as perform minor surgical procedures such as the removal of foreign bodies.
* Find a local Doctor in your town

Retinoschisis Condition in which the retina splits into layers, sometimes causing blurred vision. It is either inherited or acquired; the acquired form is caused by small cysts in the eye. You may also have floaters.(14 July 2009 - Online article Dr. William Boothe Dallas )

Retinol: Retinol is vitamin A. Carotene compounds (found, for example, in egg yolk, butter and cream) are gradually converted by the body to vitamin A (retinol). A form of vitamin A called retinal is responsible for transmitting light sensation in the retina of the eye. Deficiency of vitamin A leads to night blindness.

Dermatochalasis Excessive, drooping eyelid skin caused by a loss of elasticity in aging skin.

Diopter Unit of measure for the refractive (light-bending) power of a lens; eye care practitioners use it in eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions. A negative number refers to nearsightedness; a positive number, farsightedness. For example, someone with -8.00 diopter lenses is very nearsighted, while someone with +0.75 diopter lenses is only slightly farsighted.

Complication: In medicine, an additional problem that arises following a procedure, treatment or illness and is secondary to it. A complication complicates the situation.Dr. William Boothe

Cornea The clear part of the eye covering the iris and pupil; it lets light into the eye, permitting sight.

Esotropia When one or both eyes point inward, so the eyes are "crossed." This is one type of strabismus. (29 July 2007 Boothe Eye Care )

Boothe Laser Center article


Presbyope Person who has difficulty reading print and seeing near objects.

PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) Old-fashioned hard contacts were made of PMMA, which is not permeable; today's rigid lenses contain other polymers that allow oxygen to reach your eye.( 02 February 2010 Press article Dr. Boothe Lasik )

Dr. Boothe Laser Center

Keratitis Inflammation of the cornea, caused by an infection or inflammatory process. Symptoms include eye pain or discomfort, light sensitivity, foreign body sensation, grittiness and tearing.

Scotoma Blind spot within the field of view.(04 October 2008 - Online press Dr. Boothe Dallas )

Eye: The organ of sight. The eye has a number of components. These components include but are not limited to the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina, macula, optic nerve, choroid and vitreous.

Titanium A type of metal alloy that is very strong. Eyeglasses made of titanium are lightweight, durable and often hypoallergenic.

Microcornea Abnormally small cornea.

Lateral rectus muscle Muscle that moves the eye away from the nose.Boothe Eye Care

Dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin, either due to direct contact with an irritating substance, or to an allergic reaction. Symptoms of dermatitis include redness, itching, and in some cases blistering.

Aqueous humor Clear fluid in the front of the eye, between the cornea and the iris, that provides nutrients to the cornea and the lens. The fluid is produced by the ciliary body. Glaucoma causes a difficulty in draining this fluid, and pressure builds up. The result is damage to the optic nerve and loss of vision. (03 March 2008 Dr. Boothe )

Boothe Eye Center article

Limbal relaxing incisions A surgical procedure, often performed during cataract surgery, which corrects usually mild astigmatism by flattening the curvature of the eye's clear surface (cornea). Limbal relaxing incisions are inserted at the boundary (limbus) separating the cornea from the white of the eye (sclera). By altering this portion of the eye instead of the center, surgeons are able to preserve the surface and optical qualities of the cornea.

Enophthalmos The sinking of the eye into the socket. Causes include development problems in utero, trauma and inflammation.( 02 August 2008 Online press article Dr. William Boothe )


Realated news you may find fascinating:
Dr. William Boothe Dallas, Dr. Boothe, Dr. Boothe Laser Center

Dr. William Boothe - Graves' ophthalmology Article

Optic The rounded, central portion of an intraocular lens (IOL) used in cataract surgery. Optic also more generally refers to eyes or vision.

Graves' ophthalmology Autoimmune eye disorder usually associated with abnormalities of the thyroid gland; symptoms include eyelid retraction, bulging eyes, light sensitivity, eye discomfort, double vision, vision loss, a red or pink eye and a limited ability to move the eyes.(20 September 2008 - Online article Dr. Boothe )

Femtosecond laser Device that creates bursts of laser energy at an extremely fast rate measured in terms of a unit known as a femtosecond (one quadrillionth of a second). These ultra fast energy pulses precisely target and break apart tissue or other substances at a molecular level, without damaging adjacent areas.

Ophthalmoplegia Eye muscle paralysis. Causes include stroke, multiple sclerosis, a tumor, thyroid disease, migraines and progressive supranuclear palsies. Symptoms can include limited eye movement, blurred vision, double vision, nystagmus and ptosis. Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome, often called "painful ophthalmoplegia," is characterized by intense pain behind the eye and a headache.

Ophthalmic: Pertaining to the eye. An ophthalmic ointment is designed for the eye.

Sinusitis Inflammation of the sinuses, due to an infection or an allergic reaction. Probably the most common cause of pain in and around the eye. Symptoms include head pain (headache, pain around the eyes, toothache, jaw pain), nasal discharge, postnasal drip, coughing, eyelid swelling, swelling around the eyes, a stuffy nose, fatigue, bad breath and a sore throat.Dr. Boothe Laser Center

Dr. William Boothe about Eyelid

Eyelid: The lid or cover of the eye, a movable fold of skin and muscle that can be closed over the eyeball or opened at will. Each eye has an upper and a lower lid. An eyelid is also called a palpebra.

Contact lens problem Contact lens problems can range from minor to sight-threatening, and include protein build-up, debris on the lens, a ripped or nicked lens, infections and more. Symptoms can include frequent blinking, blurred vision, burning, discharge, foreign body sensation, itching, light sensitivity, eye pain or discomfort, a red or pink eye or lid and eyelid swelling.(26 April 2010 - Blog article Dr. William Boothe Dallas )

Intraocular pressure (IOP) Eye pressure, as determined by the amount of aqueous humor filling it. High IOP (ocular hypertension) can be a sign of glaucoma.

Contact lens drops Eyedrops for contact lens wearers; regular eyedrops can discolor contact lenses.

Optic nerve The nerve that carries electrical impulses from photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) in the retina to the visual cortex in the brain.

Cohort A term used in clinical studies to define a set of people who have something in common such as similar backgrounds, experiences, and/or health problems.Boothe Laser Center

Dr. William Boothe - Eye Vascular problem Article

Vascular problem Problems with your body's vascular system (i.e., blood vessels, arteries and so on) can include hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure, a clot, an aneurysm, an embolus, etc. These problems can sometimes affect the eyes, resulting in such symptoms as blurred vision, a bulging eye, double vision, eye pain or discomfort, a red or pink eye, eyelid swelling and vision loss.

Trauma: Any injury , whether physically or emotionally inflicted. "Trauma" has both a medical and a psychiatric definition. Medically, "trauma" refers to a serious or critical bodily injury, wound, or shock . This definition is often associated with trauma medicine practiced in emergency rooms and represents a popular view of the term. In psychiatry , "trauma" has assumed a different meaning and refers to an experience that is emotionally painful, distressful, or shocking, which often results in lasting mental and physical effects.(06 August 2007 - Online press article Dr. Boothe )

Optometrist: A health care professional who is licensed to provide primary eye care services:
* to examine and diagnose eye diseases such as glaucoma , cataracts , and retinal diseases and, in certain states in the U.S., to treat them;
* to diagnose related systemic (bodywide) conditions such as hypertension and diabetes that may affect the eyes;
* to examine, diagnose and treat visual conditions such as nearsightedness , farsightedness , astigmatism and presbyopia ; and
* to prescribe glasses, contact lenses, low vision rehabilitation and medications as well as perform minor surgical procedures such as the removal of foreign bodies.
* Find a local Doctor in your town

Decongestant: A drug that shrinks the swollen membranes in the nose and makes it easier to breath. Decongestants can be taken orally or by nasal spray. Decongestant nasal sprays should not be used for more than five days without the doctor's advice, and if so, usually only when accompanied by a nasal steroid. Many decongestant nasal sprays often cause a rebound effect if taken too long. A rebound effect is the worsening of symptoms when a drug is discontinued. This is a result of a tissue dependence on the medication. Decongestants should not be used by patients with high blood pressure (hypertension) unless under doctor's supervision.

Radiation: 1. Rays of energy. Gamma rays and X-rays are two of the types of energy waves often used in medicine. 2. The use of energy waves to diagnose or treat disease. See also: Irradiation.

Virus: A microorganism smaller than a bacteria, which cannot grow or reproduce apart from a living cell. A virus invades living cells and uses their chemical machinery to keep itself alive and to replicate itself. It may reproduce with fidelity or with errors (mutations)-this ability to mutate is responsible for the ability of some viruses to change slightly in each infected person, making treatment more difficult.Dr. Boothe Lasik

Dr. William Boothe - Presbyopia Article

Strabismus A misalignment of the eyes: the eye don't point at the same object together. Crossed eyes (esotropia) are one type of strabismus; "wall-eyes" (exotropia) are another. The exact cause is unknown, but appears to be a problem with the eye muscles. Strabismus can affect depth perception.

Presbyopia Condition in which the aging eye beginning at around age 40 is unable to focus at all distances, often noticed when print begins to blur. Additional symptoms include eyestrain, headaches, and squinting. Read our article about presbyopia.(08 February 2010 - Online article Boothe Eye Care )

Dr. William Boothe Eye Care Article

Ocular herpes Recurrent viral infection that can cause inflammation and scarring of the cornea. It is not sexually transmitted. There are various types of ocular herpes, ranging from herpes keratitis to more serious forms that can lead to blindness. See our eye herpes article for more details.

Dilate: To stretch or enlarge. It comes from the Latin verb "dilatare" meaning "to enlarge or expand."Dr. Boothe Laser Center

Beta blocker Drug that widens or dilates blood vessels, thus enabling more normal flow of blood. Topical beta blockers applied as eye drops also can lessen fluid production and lower internal eye pressure (intraocular pressure) in eye diseases such as glaucoma to reduce the possibility of optic nerve damage. Beta blockers also are used to control high blood pressure (hypertension). Side effects can include respiratory problems.

Ophthalmoplegia Eye muscle paralysis. Causes include stroke, multiple sclerosis, a tumor, thyroid disease, migraines and progressive supranuclear palsies. Symptoms can include limited eye movement, blurred vision, double vision, nystagmus and ptosis. Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome, often called "painful ophthalmoplegia," is characterized by intense pain behind the eye and a headache. (04 May 2008 Dr. Boothe Lasik )

Press article Dr. William Boothe Lasik

Dacryocystitis Inflammation of the nasolacrimal (tear) sac, typically caused by dacryostenosis. Symptoms include discharge, a sticky eye, eye pain or discomfort, a red or pink eye, swelling around the eye and tearing.

Phoropter Device that provides various combinations of lenses used for tests of vision errors in eye examinations.(14 May 2010 - Press article Dr. William Boothe Lasik )

Histiocytosis Abnormal proliferation of histiocytes (immune system cells). Common symptoms include bone tumors and skin rashes. If histiocytosis affects the eyes, it causes bulging.

Monochromatic Refers to one wavelength of light, as opposed to the many wavelengths of light found in varying colors.

Neovascularization Abnormal growth of new blood vessels, such as in an excessive amount, or in tissue that normally does not contain them, or of a different kind than is usual in that tissue. Also see angiogenesis.

Presbyopia Condition in which the aging eye beginning at around age 40 is unable to focus at all distances, often noticed when print begins to blur. Additional symptoms include eyestrain, headaches, and squinting. Read our article about presbyopia.Boothe Eye Center

Press article Dr. Boothe

Iris- The iris is the colored portion of the visible eye. It is a muscle that affects the size of the pupil, depending on the amount of light needed to enter the pupil.
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 )

Dr. Boothe Eye Center - Other types of refractive surgery

Other types of refractive surgery
Radial Keratotomy or RK and Photorefractive Keratectomy or PRK are other refractive surgeries used to reshape the cornea. In RK, a very sharp knife is used to cut slits in the cornea changing its shape. PRK was the first surgical procedure developed to reshape the cornea, by sculpting, using a laser. Later, LASIK was developed. The same type of laser is used for LASIK and PRK. Often the exact same laser is used for the two types of surgery. The major difference between the two surgeries is the way that the stroma, the middle layer of the cornea, is exposed before it is vaporized with the laser. In PRK, the top layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, is scraped away to expose the stromal layer underneath. In LASIK, a flap is cut in the stromal layer and the flap is folded back.
Farsightedness- Farsightedness is another name for Hyperopia or Hypermetropia. Many Farsighted patients have difficulty seeing things up close, and often have crisp-acute distance vision.(19 January 2007 - Online blog 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.
Corneal Epithelium- The corneal epithelium is the thin, protective layer encasing the eyeball. Prior to LASIK eye surgery, the epithelium must be lifted or polished away to expose the underlying cornea. The epithelium is regenerative and heals quickly.
Acuity- Acuity refers to the sharpness or clarity of your vision.

Cornea- The cornea is the transparent front portion of the eyeball that covers the iris and pupil; it is continuous with the sclera.
Farsightedness, Hyperopia:
Farsighted people can usually see things that are far away better than things that are close. A farsighted prescription will have a positive number under the sphere column.Dr. Boothe Eye Care

Keratectomy- Keratos is the greek word for cornea, and ectomy means to remove. Together they mean to remove corneal tissue.
Precision Surgery

PRK is an outpatient procedure generally performed with local anesthetic eye drops. This type of refractive surgery gently reshapes the cornea by removing microscopic amounts of tissue from the outer surface with a cool, computer-controlled ultraviolet beam of light. The beam is so precise it can cut notches in a strand of human hair without breaking it, and each pulse can remove 39 millionths of an inch of tissue in 12 billionths of a second. The procedure itself takes only a few minutes, and patients are typically back to daily routines in one to three days.
Before the procedure begins, the patient's eye is measured to determine the degree of visual problem, and a map of the eye's surface is constructed. The required corneal change is calculated based on this information, and then entered into the laser's computer.
Since 1995, a limited number of laser systems has been approved by FDA to treat various refractive errors, both with PRK and LASIK.
According to FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, clinical studies showed that about 5 percent of patients continued to always need glasses following PRK for distance, and up to 15 percent needed glasses occasionally, such as when driving. In addition, many patients experienced mild corneal haze following surgery, which is part of the normal healing process. The haze appeared to have little or no effect on final vision, and could only be seen by a doctor with a microscope. Some patients experienced glare and halos around lights. These conditions, however, diminished or disappeared in most patients in six months. For about 5 percent of patients, however, best-corrected vision without corrective lenses was slightly worse after surgery than before. In view of these findings, FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (which oversees advertising) issued a letter to the eye-care community in May 1996 warning that unrealistic advertising claims, such as "throw away your eyeglasses," and unsubstantiated claims about success rates could be misleading to consumers. (02 March 2009 Dr. Boothe )

Dr. Boothe Eye Center article

Dr. Boothe Eye Center

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.
Pupil- The pupil is the dark opening in the visible eye. It will open when more light is needed to see, and it will get smaller if less light is needed to see.( 15 August 2007 Blog article Dr. William Boothe )

Blog article Boothe Eye Care

Refractive Error- This word refers to vision problems associated with the cornea: Astigmatism, Hyperopia, and Myopia.
LASIK- LASIK is an acronym that allows us to quickly say, "laser assisted in situ keratomileusis." This is more simply said as "reshaping the cornea using a laser."(17 July 2008 - Online blog Dr. Boothe Eye Care )
Conductive Keratoplasty- CK is performed using a probe about the size of a human strand of hair, which release radiofrequency (RF) energy, shrinking the tissue to increase the curvature of the cornea. LasikPlus will not perform CK.
Keratomileusis- Keratos is the greek word for cornea, and mileusis means to reshape. Together they mean to reshape the cornea.
Diopter- A diopter is one whole number on a prescription. The number of diopters on your prescription represents how much correction is needed to normalize your vision. The more myopic or hyperopic you are, the higher your prescription will be represented in diopters; or rather the farther away from zero your prescription will be.
Corneal Epithelium- The corneal epithelium is the thin, protective layer encasing the eyeball. Prior to LASIK eye surgery, the epithelium must be lifted or polished away to expose the underlying cornea. The epithelium is regenerative and heals quickly.Boothe Eye Care

Microkeratome- A blade that creates a flap in the cornea during LASIK Surgery.
Another type of refractive surgery is thermokeratoplasty in which heat is used to reshape the cornea. The source of the heat can be a laser, but it is a different kind of laser than is used for LASIK and PRK. Other refractive devices include corneal ring segments that are inserted into the stroma and special contact lenses that temporarily reshape the cornea (orthokeratology). (19 December 2009 Dr. Boothe Eye Center )

Dr. William Boothe article

Hyperopia or Hypermetropia- Many Hyperopic patients have difficulty seeing things up close, and often have crisp-acute distance vision.
Keratotomy- Keratos is the greek word for cornea, and otomy means to create an incision. Together they mean to create an incision in the cornea.( 30 May 2009 Blog article Boothe Eye Care )

Dr. Boothe - Bilateral LASIK

Dr. Boothe Laser Center

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.
Dr. Boothe
Another type of refractive surgery is thermokeratoplasty in which heat is used to reshape the cornea. The source of the heat can be a laser, but it is a different kind of laser than is used for LASIK and PRK. Other refractive devices include corneal ring segments that are inserted into the stroma and special contact lenses that temporarily reshape the cornea (orthokeratology).

Farsightedness- Farsightedness is another name for Hyperopia or Hypermetropia. Many Farsighted patients have difficulty seeing things up close, and often have crisp-acute distance vision.
Nearsighted, Myopia:
People can typically see things up close, but things far away may appear blurred. People who are nearsighted may find a negative number in the sphere column of their prescription.
Boothe Laser Center: Lens- The lens of the eye is the body between the iris and the vitreous humor that focuses light rays entering through the pupil to form an image on the retina. You may also want to research presbyopia.


Conductive Keratoplasty- CK is performed using a probe about the size of a human strand of hair, which release radiofrequency (RF) energy, shrinking the tissue to increase the curvature of the cornea. LasikPlus will not perform CK.

Boothe Eye Care

What is LASIK?
The eye and vision errors
The cornea is a part of the eye that helps focus light to create an image on the retina. It works in much the same way that the lens of a camera focuses light to create an image on film. The bending and focusing of light is also known as refraction. Usually the shape of the cornea and the eye are not perfect and the image on the retina is out-of-focus (blurred) or distorted. These imperfections in the focusing power of the eye are called refractive errors. There are three primary types of refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Persons with myopia, or nearsightedness, have more difficulty seeing distant objects as clearly as near objects. Persons with hyperopia, or farsightedness, have more difficulty seeing near objects as clearly as distant objects. Astigmatism is a distortion of the image on the retina caused by irregularities in the cornea or lens of the eye. Combinations of myopia and astigmatism or hyperopia and astigmatism are common. Glasses or contact lenses are designed to compensate for the eye's imperfections. Surgical procedures aimed at improving the focusing power of the eye are called refractive surgery. In LASIK surgery, precise and controlled removal of corneal tissue by a special laser reshapes the cornea changing its focusing power.
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. Dr. Boothe Eye Center
Keratotomy- Keratos is the greek word for cornea, and otomy means to create an incision. Together they mean to create an incision in the cornea.
Boothe Eye Center Presbyopia- "Presbys" is Greek for "old man" and "opia" refers to the eye. Presbyopia typically occurs in our late thirties or early forties, and it can make reading things up close difficult. Our lenses lose their ability to accomodate, or change shape. Some patients may be good candidates for Monovision as an Alternative to Bilateral LASIK.

Dr. Boothe - What is LASIK?

Dr. Boothe

WHEN I HAVE LASIK SURGERY, WILL I BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE RESULTS RIGHT AWAY?
Most of our patients say this is an extremely memorable moment in their lives. You will have improved vision immediately after your laser vision correction. The majority of our patients are able to go to work the next day. Your vision will continue to improve as your eyes heal and adjust to their new shape. Dr. William Boothe

WILL MY IMPROVED VISION BE PERMANENT?
LASIK with LasikPlus Vision Centers is designed to be a permanent correction for your vision. Studies to date show excellent vision stability for more than a decade following treatment. LasikPlus also offers an opportunity to participate in a LasikPlus Lifetime Satisfaction Plan. Because the FDA does not allow guarantees on a medical procedure, we wanted to offer patients some kind of peace of mind. A Lifetime Acuity Plan allows patients to have laser vision correction again, at no cost. Of course this only covers vision degradation related to corneal problems: nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The details and restrictions will be covered by the medical team.

Optician- An optician makes glasses and performs adjustments on frames.

Keratectomy- Keratos is the greek word for cornea, and ectomy means to remove. Together they mean to remove corneal tissue.

Dr. Boothe Laser Center: 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.

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.

Boothe Eye Center

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.
IOL or Intraocular Lens Implant- A lens is implanted in front of, or in place of, the eye's natural lens. IOLs may be a great option for patients with severe vision prescriptions.
Boothe Laser Center

What is LASIK?
The eye and vision errors
The cornea is a part of the eye that helps focus light to create an image on the retina. It works in much the same way that the lens of a camera focuses light to create an image on film. The bending and focusing of light is also known as refraction. Usually the shape of the cornea and the eye are not perfect and the image on the retina is out-of-focus (blurred) or distorted. These imperfections in the focusing power of the eye are called refractive errors. There are three primary types of refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Persons with myopia, or nearsightedness, have more difficulty seeing distant objects as clearly as near objects. Persons with hyperopia, or farsightedness, have more difficulty seeing near objects as clearly as distant objects. Astigmatism is a distortion of the image on the retina caused by irregularities in the cornea or lens of the eye. Combinations of myopia and astigmatism or hyperopia and astigmatism are common. Glasses or contact lenses are designed to compensate for the eye's imperfections. Surgical procedures aimed at improving the focusing power of the eye are called refractive surgery. In LASIK surgery, precise and controlled removal of corneal tissue by a special laser reshapes the cornea changing its focusing power.

Dr. Boothe Eye Center

Keratomileusis - Keratos is the greek word for cornea, and mileusis means to reshape. Together they mean to reshape the cornea.

Dr. Boothe - Refractive Error

Dr. Boothe

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.
Dr. Boothe Eye Care

Pupil- The pupil is the dark opening in the visible eye. It will open when more light is needed to see, and it will get smaller if less light is needed to see.

Refractive Error- This word refers to vision problems associated with the cornea: Astigmatism, Hyperopia, and Myopia.
Another type of refractive surgery is thermokeratoplasty in which heat is used to reshape the cornea. The source of the heat can be a laser, but it is a different kind of laser than is used for LASIK and PRK. Other refractive devices include corneal ring segments that are inserted into the stroma and special contact lenses that temporarily reshape the cornea (orthokeratology).
Dr. Boothe Eye Center: WILL MY IMPROVED VISION BE PERMANENT?
LASIK with LasikPlus Vision Centers is designed to be a permanent correction for your vision. Studies to date show excellent vision stability for more than a decade following treatment. LasikPlus also offers an opportunity to participate in a LasikPlus Lifetime Satisfaction Plan. Because the FDA does not allow guarantees on a medical procedure, we wanted to offer patients some kind of peace of mind. A Lifetime Acuity Plan allows patients to have laser vision correction again, at no cost. Of course this only covers vision degradation related to corneal problems: nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The details and restrictions will be covered by the medical team.

LASIK- LASIK is an acronym that allows us to quickly say, "laser assisted in situ keratomileusis." This is more simply said as "reshaping the cornea using a laser."

Dr. William Boothe

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.
What the FDA regulates
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the sale of medical devices such as the lasers used for LASIK. Before a medical device can be legally sold in the U.S., the person or company that wants to sell the device must seek approval from the FDA. To gain approval, they must present evidence that the device is reasonably safe and effective for a particular use, the "indication." Once the FDA has approved a medical device, a doctor may decide to use that device for other indications if the doctor feels it is in the best interest of a patient. The use of an approved device for other than its FDA-approved indication is called "off-label use." The FDA does not regulate off-label use or the practice of medicine. Boothe Eye Care
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.
Boothe Eye Center Monovision- When one eye is deliberately corrected for distance vision and the other for close vision.

Dr. William Boothe - Photorefractive Keratectomy

Boothe Eye Center

The FDA does not have the authority to:

Regulate a doctor's practice. In other words, FDA does not tell doctors what to do when running their business or what they can or cannot tell their patients.
Set the amount a doctor can charge for LASIK eye surgery.
"Insist" the patient information booklet from the laser manufacturer be provided to the potential patient.
Make recommendations for individual doctors, clinics, or eye centers. FDA does not maintain nor have access to any such list of doctors performing LASIK eye surgery.
Conduct or provide a rating system on any medical device it regulates.
The first refractive laser systems approved by FDA were excimer lasers for use in PRK to treat myopia and later to treat astigmatism. However, doctors began using these lasers for LASIK (not just PRK), and to treat other refractive errors (not just myopia). Over the last several years, LASIK has become the main surgery doctors use to treat myopia in the United States. More recently, some laser manufacturers have gained FDA approval for laser systems for LASIK to treat myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism and for PRK to treat hyperopia and astigmatism. Boothe Laser Center
Astigmatism:
Astigmatism causes a distortion of vision, where a person may experience an overall blurriness. Information regarding an astigmatism is found in the cylinder column. Many people with myopia or hyperopia have some degree of astigmatism

Optician- An optician makes glasses and performs adjustments on frames.

Farsightedness- Farsightedness is another name for Hyperopia or Hypermetropia. Many Farsighted patients have difficulty seeing things up close, and often have crisp-acute distance vision.
Dr. Boothe Eye Center: IOL or Intraocular Lens Implant- A lens is implanted in front of, or in place of, the eye's natural lens. IOLs may be a great option for patients with severe vision prescriptions.


LASIK is a surgical procedure intended to reduce a person's dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The goal of this Web site is to provide objective information to the public about LASIK surgery. See other sections of this site to learn about what you should know before surgery, what will happen during the surgery, and what you should expect after surgery. There is a glossary of terms and a checklist of issues for you to consider, practices to follow, and questions to ask your doctor before undergoing LASIK surgery.

Dr. Boothe

PRK or Photorefractive Keratectomy- PRK is a corneal procedure where the superficial cornea is removed to improve vision. PRK is an Alternative to LASIK Eye Surgery.

Microkeratome- A blade that creates a flap in the cornea during LASIK Surgery.
Dr. Boothe Laser Center

Diopter- A diopter is one whole number on a prescription. The number of diopters on your prescription represents how much correction is needed to normalize your vision. The more myopic or hyperopic you are, the higher your prescription will be represented in diopters; or rather the farther away from zero your prescription will be.

Dr. William Boothe
Keratectomy- Keratos is the greek word for cornea, and ectomy means to remove. Together they mean to remove corneal tissue.

Dr. Boothe - Lasik - WILL MY PROCEDURE BE PAINFUL?

Boothe Eye Center

Keratectomy- Keratos is the greek word for cornea, and ectomy means to remove. Together they mean to remove corneal tissue.
Dr. Boothe Eye 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.

Farsightedness- Farsightedness is another name for Hyperopia or Hypermetropia. Many Farsighted patients have difficulty seeing things up close, and often have crisp-acute distance vision.
LASIK

One of the most popular ways to correct vision is with a procedure called LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis), which uses a laser to change the curvature of the cornea (outer window of the eye). LASIK has quickly become the procedure of choice for most patients because they recover quickly and have fewer side effects and complications than with other methods of vision correction. In fact, most LASIK patients notice a significant improvement in their vision soon after surgery. LASIK removes tissue within the cornea to treat low to high levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
Dr. William Boothe: Iris- The iris is the colored portion of the visible eye. It is a muscle that affects the size of the pupil, depending on the amount of light needed to enter the pupil.
Farsightedness, Hyperopia:
Farsighted people can usually see things that are far away better than things that are close. A farsighted prescription will have a positive number under the sphere column.

Dr. Boothe

Presbyopia:
LASIK surgeons cannot correct this age-related vision problem; it occurs in most individuals starting in the early 40s and progresses with age.
Muscles inside the eye lose flexibility and reading can become difficult.
People may have presbyopia in combination with another vision problem like nearsightedness.
The nearsightedness would be correctable by LASIK surgery, but the presbyopia would not; however, we may be able to find an adjustment to compensate for both.
The FDA does not have the authority to:

Regulate a doctor's practice. In other words, FDA does not tell doctors what to do when running their business or what they can or cannot tell their patients.
Set the amount a doctor can charge for LASIK eye surgery.
"Insist" the patient information booklet from the laser manufacturer be provided to the potential patient.
Make recommendations for individual doctors, clinics, or eye centers. FDA does not maintain nor have access to any such list of doctors performing LASIK eye surgery.
Conduct or provide a rating system on any medical device it regulates.
The first refractive laser systems approved by FDA were excimer lasers for use in PRK to treat myopia and later to treat astigmatism. However, doctors began using these lasers for LASIK (not just PRK), and to treat other refractive errors (not just myopia). Over the last several years, LASIK has become the main surgery doctors use to treat myopia in the United States. More recently, some laser manufacturers have gained FDA approval for laser systems for LASIK to treat myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism and for PRK to treat hyperopia and astigmatism. Boothe Eye Care

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
Good LASIK Candidates Must:
Be at Least 18 Years Old
Be in Good General Health
Have No Health Issues Affecting the Eyes
Have No Active Eye Conditions Which May Affect Healing
Have a Stable Vision Prescription for at Least One Year

Dr. Boothe Eye Care - Corneal Epithelium

Dr. Boothe Laser Center

HOW LONG WILL MY LASIK PROCEDURE TAKE?
The LASIK procedure time is between five and fifteen minutes. We ask our patients to plan to be with us for approximately two hours on the day of their treatment. This gives our medical team adequate time for your procedure preparation, additional paperwork, final examination, and give you an opportunity to ask questions after your vision correction. Dr. Boothe Eye Center

Keratomileusis- Keratos is the greek word for cornea, and mileusis means to reshape. Together they mean to reshape the cornea.
Microkeratome- A blade that creates a flap in the cornea during LASIK Surgery.


What is LASIK?
The eye and vision errors
The cornea is a part of the eye that helps focus light to create an image on the retina. It works in much the same way that the lens of a camera focuses light to create an image on film. The bending and focusing of light is also known as refraction. Usually the shape of the cornea and the eye are not perfect and the image on the retina is out-of-focus (blurred) or distorted. These imperfections in the focusing power of the eye are called refractive errors. There are three primary types of refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Persons with myopia, or nearsightedness, have more difficulty seeing distant objects as clearly as near objects. Persons with hyperopia, or farsightedness, have more difficulty seeing near objects as clearly as distant objects. Astigmatism is a distortion of the image on the retina caused by irregularities in the cornea or lens of the eye. Combinations of myopia and astigmatism or hyperopia and astigmatism are common. Glasses or contact lenses are designed to compensate for the eye's imperfections. Surgical procedures aimed at improving the focusing power of the eye are called refractive surgery. In LASIK surgery, precise and controlled removal of corneal tissue by a special laser reshapes the cornea changing its focusing power.
Boothe Laser Center: 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.

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.

Boothe Eye Center

Keratotomy- Keratos is the greek word for cornea, and otomy means to create an incision. Together they mean to create an incision in the cornea.
Refractive Error- This word refers to vision problems associated with the cornea: Astigmatism, Hyperopia, and Myopia. Boothe Eye Care


Precision Surgery

PRK is an outpatient procedure generally performed with local anesthetic eye drops. This type of refractive surgery gently reshapes the cornea by removing microscopic amounts of tissue from the outer surface with a cool, computer-controlled ultraviolet beam of light. The beam is so precise it can cut notches in a strand of human hair without breaking it, and each pulse can remove 39 millionths of an inch of tissue in 12 billionths of a second. The procedure itself takes only a few minutes, and patients are typically back to daily routines in one to three days.
Before the procedure begins, the patient's eye is measured to determine the degree of visual problem, and a map of the eye's surface is constructed. The required corneal change is calculated based on this information, and then entered into the laser's computer.
Since 1995, a limited number of laser systems has been approved by FDA to treat various refractive errors, both with PRK and LASIK.
According to FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, clinical studies showed that about 5 percent of patients continued to always need glasses following PRK for distance, and up to 15 percent needed glasses occasionally, such as when driving. In addition, many patients experienced mild corneal haze following surgery, which is part of the normal healing process. The haze appeared to have little or no effect on final vision, and could only be seen by a doctor with a microscope. Some patients experienced glare and halos around lights. These conditions, however, diminished or disappeared in most patients in six months. For about 5 percent of patients, however, best-corrected vision without corrective lenses was slightly worse after surgery than before. In view of these findings, FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (which oversees advertising) issued a letter to the eye-care community in May 1996 warning that unrealistic advertising claims, such as "throw away your eyeglasses," and unsubstantiated claims about success rates could be misleading to consumers.
Dr. Boothe Eye Care Corneal Epithelium- The corneal epithelium is the thin, protective layer encasing the eyeball. Prior to LASIK eye surgery, the epithelium must be lifted or polished away to expose the underlying cornea. The epithelium is regenerative and heals quickly.

Boothe Eye Care and LASIK surgery

Boothe Eye Care

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. A mechanical microkeratome (a blade device) or a laser keratome (a laser device) is used to cut a flap in the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back revealing the stroma, the middlesection of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced. There are other techniques and many new terms related to LASIK that you may hear about. Dr. William Boothe

Diopter- A diopter is one whole number on a prescription. The number of diopters on your prescription represents how much correction is needed to normalize your vision. The more myopic or hyperopic you are, the higher your prescription will be represented in diopters; or rather the farther away from zero your prescription will be.


Keratectomy- Keratos is the greek word for cornea, and ectomy means to remove. Together they mean to remove corneal tissue.

Dr. Boothe Eye Center: Monovision- When one eye is deliberately corrected for distance vision and the other for close vision.

Boothe Eye Center

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.
Presbyopia- "Presbys" is Greek for "old man" and "opia" refers to the eye. Presbyopia typically occurs in our late thirties or early forties, and it can make reading things up close difficult. Our lenses lose their ability to accomodate, or change shape. Some patients may be good candidates for Monovision as an Alternative to Bilateral LASIK. Dr. Boothe Laser Center

Optometrist- An optometrist is a doctor whose specialization is vision. An optometrist can diagnose vision concerns, treat vision concerns, manage vision concerns.
Dr. Boothe
Optician- An optician makes glasses and performs adjustments on frames.


More realated results:

Boothe Laser Center ~ Dr. Boothe Eye Care ~ Boothe Laser Center

Boothe Eye Care - Microkeratome

Dr. William Boothe

WILL MY IMPROVED VISION BE PERMANENT?
LASIK with LasikPlus Vision Centers is designed to be a permanent correction for your vision. Studies to date show excellent vision stability for more than a decade following treatment. LasikPlus also offers an opportunity to participate in a LasikPlus Lifetime Satisfaction Plan. Because the FDA does not allow guarantees on a medical procedure, we wanted to offer patients some kind of peace of mind. A Lifetime Acuity Plan allows patients to have laser vision correction again, at no cost. Of course this only covers vision degradation related to corneal problems: nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The details and restrictions will be covered by the medical team. Boothe Eye Center
Myopia- Myopic people typically have difficulty seeing objects at a distance. Myopia can be so severe that people have difficulty seeing objects up close too.

Nearsightedness- Nearsightedness is another name for Myopia. Nearsighted people typically have difficulty seeing objects at a distance. Nearsightedness can be so severe that people have difficulty seeing objects up close too.

What the FDA regulates
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the sale of medical devices such as the lasers used for LASIK. Before a medical device can be legally sold in the U.S., the person or company that wants to sell the device must seek approval from the FDA. To gain approval, they must present evidence that the device is reasonably safe and effective for a particular use, the "indication." Once the FDA has approved a medical device, a doctor may decide to use that device for other indications if the doctor feels it is in the best interest of a patient. The use of an approved device for other than its FDA-approved indication is called "off-label use." The FDA does not regulate off-label use or the practice of medicine.
Dr. Boothe Eye Center: Lens- The lens of the eye is the body between the iris and the vitreous humor that focuses light rays entering through the pupil to form an image on the retina. You may also want to research presbyopia.

Presbyopia:
LASIK surgeons cannot correct this age-related vision problem; it occurs in most individuals starting in the early 40s and progresses with age.
Muscles inside the eye lose flexibility and reading can become difficult.
People may have presbyopia in combination with another vision problem like nearsightedness.
The nearsightedness would be correctable by LASIK surgery, but the presbyopia would not; however, we may be able to find an adjustment to compensate for both.

Dr. Boothe Laser Center

IOL or Intraocular Lens Implant- A lens is implanted in front of, or in place of, the eye's natural lens. IOLs may be a great option for patients with severe vision prescriptions.


LASIK is a surgical procedure intended to reduce a person's dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The goal of this Web site is to provide objective information to the public about LASIK surgery. See other sections of this site to learn about what you should know before surgery, what will happen during the surgery, and what you should expect after surgery. There is a glossary of terms and a checklist of issues for you to consider, practices to follow, and questions to ask your doctor before undergoing LASIK surgery. Boothe Laser Center
Refractive Error- This word refers to vision problems associated with the cornea: Astigmatism, Hyperopia, and Myopia.
Boothe Eye Care Microkeratome- A blade that creates a flap in the cornea during LASIK Surgery.

Boothe Eye Center Blog

Dr. Boothe

Farsightedness- Farsightedness is another name for Hyperopia or Hypermetropia. Many Farsighted patients have difficulty seeing things up close, and often have crisp-acute distance vision. Boothe Eye Care

Keratectomy- Keratos is the greek word for cornea, and ectomy means to remove. Together they mean to remove corneal tissue.


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.


Pupil- The pupil is the dark opening in the visible eye. It will open when more light is needed to see, and it will get smaller if less light is needed to see.

Dr. Boothe Laser Center: IOL or Intraocular Lens Implant- A lens is implanted in front of, or in place of, the eye's natural lens. IOLs may be a great option for patients with severe vision prescriptions.

Astigmatism:
Astigmatism causes a distortion of vision, where a person may experience an overall blurriness. Information regarding an astigmatism is found in the cylinder column. Many people with myopia or hyperopia have some degree of astigmatism

Dr. Boothe Eye Care

Refractive Error- This word refers to vision problems associated with the cornea: Astigmatism, Hyperopia, and Myopia.

Diopter- A diopter is one whole number on a prescription. The number of diopters on your prescription represents how much correction is needed to normalize your vision. The more myopic or hyperopic you are, the higher your prescription will be represented in diopters; or rather the farther away from zero your prescription will be.
Boothe Laser Center
HOW LONG WILL MY LASIK PROCEDURE TAKE?
The LASIK procedure time is between five and fifteen minutes. We ask our patients to plan to be with us for approximately two hours on the day of their treatment. This gives our medical team adequate time for your procedure preparation, additional paperwork, final examination, and give you an opportunity to ask questions after your vision correction.
Boothe Eye Center
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.