Procedures
TRADITIONAL LASIK
LASIK is the most commonly performed refractive surgery procedure. LASIK is short for "laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis."

Why is it so popular? LASIK has advantages over other procedures, including a relative lack of pain afterward and the fact that
significantly improved vision is usually achieved within four to twenty four hours.

An instrument called a microkeratome is used in LASIK eye surgery to create a thin, circular flap in the cornea. The surgeon
lifts the flap and exposes the corneal bed underneath. The surgeon then uses the laser to reshape the cornea. The laser beam is
composed of ultraviolet light and it precisely removes ("ablates") very tiny amounts of tissue from the cornea to reshape it.
When the cornea is reshaped, it works better to focus light into the eye and onto the retina, providing clearer vision than before.
The flap is then laid back in place, covering the area where the corneal tissue was removed.

Both nearsighted and farsighted people can benefit from the LASIK procedure. With nearsighted people, the goal is to flatten the
too-steep cornea; with farsighted people, a steeper cornea is desired. Also, excimer lasers can correct astigmatism, by
smoothing an irregular cornea into a more normal shape.
Epi-LASIK & PRK
We perform several types of refractive procedures including LASIK, PRK and Epi-LASIK.  PRK and Epi-LASIK are the
refractive vision-correction methods for patients with thin corneas, dry eyes or extreme nearsightedness. Both are performed in
much the same manner as LASIK, using similar techniques.

Epi-LASIK is a surface ablation procedure that attempts to merge the desirable features of LASIK and PRK. In this procedure,
a specially designed microkeratome like instrument is used to create a thin flap of corneal epithelium. It achieves this by gently
separating the epithelium from the underlying corneal layer without cutting . Epi-LASIK is similar to PRK in that it is a LASIK
Eye Surgery procedure that can be used for patients who have thin corneas and might not otherwise be good candidates for
ordinary LASIK.

Compared to PRK, it is believed that Epi-LASIK can allow a more rapid visual recovery, perhaps 3-4 days versus a 7 days or
more with PRK. LASIK generally offers patients a minimal amount of discomfort, if any. With PRK and Epi-LASIK, a thin soft
bandage contact lens will be worn for several days after treatment to help with healing and minimize discomfort. Whereas with
PRK there may be moderate discomfort for 1-2 days, with Epi-LASIK it is believed to be even less, but still not quite as
comfortable as with ordinary LASIK.  After your pre-operative evaluation, our doctors will be able to recommend the
procedure that is best for you.  If you have any additional questions regarding Epi-LASIK or PRK, we will be happy to answer
them for you.
CUSTOM LASIK
Custom LASIK is the latest advancement in laser technology and is performed in the same way as Traditional LASIK.  
However, VISX CustomVue utilizes WaveScan technology to measure and correct the unique imperfections of each individual's
vision.  The information transferred from the WaveScan to the laser creates a "fingerprint" of your vision and corrects 25 times
more precisely than with standard methods used for glasses and contacts.  

Benefits of CustomVue versus Traditional LASIK include:

INTRALASE
The newest available technology to create the LASIK flap, this femtosecond laser allows us to control the structure and contour
of the LASIK flap to a much higher degree than with the standard blade.  This process makes the procedure almost completely
automated and significantly decreases the incidence of flap complications.  In addition, we are able to treat a wider range patients
with LASIK who would otherwise be forced to have PRK due to thin corneas.