Blade-free and Custom Lasik Produce Incredible Vision Improvements

With all of the technology that is available to ophthalmic patients, now is a great time to consider Lasik eye surgery or other laser vision correction options. Laser vision correction has been available for more than twenty-five years, and has aided many people in ridding themselves of their glasses! The first generation of laser eye surgery was PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy. This procedure was invented in the 80s, and the technology was FDA approved in the early 1990s. During this procedure, a cool beam laser is used reshape the eye’s cornea to change how the eye processes and refracts light. This surgery can correct refractive vision errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Surgical advances did not stop with PRK. Lasik, the second generation of laser eye surgery, was also approved by the FDA in the 90s. Lasik, or laser assisted in situ keratomileusis, surgery is a permanent procedure that can correct refractive vision errors, and reduce a person’s reliance on glasses. In Lasik, a small flap is created above the cornea before the cornea is reshaped. This flap increases the speed of recovery, allowing patients to return to their daily routines much faster than with PRK. The Lasik procedure is known to be safe and effective. Patients can expect to see immediate improvements to their vision, and many achieve perfect 20/20 vision with no complications from the surgery.

During the last decade, several more advances in ophthalmic technology have increased the effectiveness of Lasik surgery. Bladeless and Custom Lasik have made the surgery available to a larger number of patients and has increased the personalization of the procedure. During Bladeless or Blade-free Lasik, a second laser is used to create the flap above the cornea. This laser eliminates the microkeratome that was used to make the incision. Because the laser can be more precise, patients with thinner corneas are now eligible for Lasik surgery. Custom Lasik uses Wavefront technology to map a patient’s eye and their visual imperfections prior to their surgery. This 3D map is programmed into the computer used to guide the laser, address each individual imperfection that the patient may have. The results from Custom Lasik are sometimes better than 20/20, and the personalization involved in the procedure eliminates many of the rare visual complications that associated with traditional Lasik.

If you are considering Lasik surgery or laser eye surgery, contact a trusted ophthalmologist and Lasik surgeon near you. A Lasik surgeon can walk you through the laser vision correction process, discuss your individual options, and set an appointment for laser eye surgery candidates. Candidates for laser vision correction have had a steady eye prescription for more than two years and are over the age of 18. Don’t wait to rid yourself of your glasses and contact lenses!