LASIK has practically become a household name since it became approved by the FDA in the Mid-1990’s. Since the introduction of LASIK there have been dramatic improvements in the technology used to perform the procedure. Now more than ever, more people may be qualified for LASIK procedures. Currently, Dr. Perozek helps connect his patients to the best LASIK surgeon that matches his patients’ needs.
LASIK is a relatively mild procedure that is an outpatient procedure. Eye drops are used to numb your eyes before the start of the surgery. You will be laying on your back as the doctor begins to focus the laser on your eyes. Your doctor will take the time to focus the laser into the right position prior to the start of the surgery. During the actually surgery the doctor will sit above you as they use a microscope to look through the laser. A video monitor will also be set up, which makes it easier for the doctor to see your eyes during the procedure.
The first step of a LASIK procedure at is the creation of the corneal flap with a blade/laser. The corneal flap is a thin segment of the outer layer of the cornea. Next, the flap is lifted and a laser is used to re-shape the underlying corneal tissue to correct any irregularities. This step in Custom LASIK, is based on an individual 3D map taken of the eye, so that the most precise corrections are possible. Finally, the flap is folded back into place where it bonds quickly. Healing is rapid with LASIK and most people can return to work within the following two days.
Following your LASIK procedure you will have a series of appointments with your doctor to make sure your vision is improving and there are no complications. After the healing process is complete you should be able to see clearly again.
All-Laser LASIK is a combination of the most advanced FDA-approved technologies: so accurate and so clinically advanced that it has been approved by NASA and the U.S. military for the professions they say are most dependent on accurate vision: astronauts and pilots.
The very best things in life are custom-fit, and that includes vision correction. One size does not fit all when it comes to your eyes. And just like the tailoring of a fine suit or designer dress, your All-Laser LASIK procedure is 100% tailor-made for you.
With All-Laser LASIK, physicians combine Wavescan diagnostic eye-mapping and Iris Registration technologies, which allow us to diagnose your eyesight with 25 times the accuracy of earlier methods, with IntraLase bladefree flap creation and CustomVue, perfectly guided, LASIK treatment.
This technology allows unprecedented customization and accuracy, making it possible for the actual laser treatment to be fully customized to the unique characteristics of each of your eyes. This precise level of measurement and treatment can enable you to achieve the full potential of your personal best vision.
NASA recently approved the LASIK procedure for its astronauts following review of extensive military clinical data, which showed the use of two lasers (femtosecond & wavefront-guided) provides superior safety and vision as compared to earlier forms of the procedure.
In fact, all branches of the U.S. military have approved LASIK for their servicemen and women, including Naval aviators and Air Force pilots, thanks to a decade of military research and recent advancements in All-Laser LASIK technology.
Wavefront Technology is often part of your LASIK treatment. The Wavefront software allows us to correct minor imperfections unique to your vision, offering many patients better than 20/20 vision, so-called ‘super vision.’
The IntraLase FS laser is a computer-guided, ultra-fast laser that is used to create the thin corneal flap for the All-Laser LASIK procedure.
With the IntraLase femtosecond laser, expert Laser Eye Surgeons can create a corneal flap that is designed precisely to the configuration of your eye, without cutting, ensuring rapid healing after the surgery is complete. In clinical studies, more patients achieved 20/20 vision or better with procedures that incorporate the IntraLase technique.
Using the VISX Star excimer laser, the LASIK surgeon performs your laser eye surgery in about 3 to 6 minutes.
The Advanced CustomVue procedure provides the most precise, accurate form of laser vision correction available today. 3D eye tracking ensures that even if your eye moves, your treatmentremains exact and specific to your customized All-Laser LASIK treatment program.
SMILE is an acronym for SMall Incision Lenticule Extraction
In LASIK, a large opening is required to
enable the excimer laser to reshape
the underlying cornea.
In SMILE, only a very small opening is
needed (often less than 4 mm) to
facilitate removal of the lenticule.
The entire idea which conceptualized SMILE is based on how to make laser procedures that exist today, such as LASIK and PRK/LASEK, even safer and easier to recover from. This technique is not only as effective and predictable but also provides safety and stability that is superior to earlier forms of laser surgery. It is free from flap-related complications possible with other forms of LASIK. The cornea is biomechanically stronger after ReLEx SMILE as the incision made on the cornea is 80% smaller than the flap cut made during conventional LASIK. It also reduces/eliminates the common dry eye condition after PRK/LASEK/LASIK. In effect, it combines the advantages of older PRK/LASEK/LASIK and reduces/eliminates their shortcomings/side effects.
This no-flap procedure takes about 10 minutes per eye. Taking only about 20 seconds of laser time to create the lenticule, it provides added comfort and convenience for the patient. The lenticule will then be removed from one tiny 4mm incision created by the laser. This will change the way light focuses within the eye, allowing you to see clearly again. The incision heels on its own. With a short time under the laser, you will receive a post check up by your surgeon, and are free to go home. There is no noise, no pressure, no burning smell during the process. This is a truly a revolutionary Femtosecond laser based 3rd generation laser eye surgery, without the use of the Excimer laser (unlike in PRK/LASEK/LASIK). It is an advancement in technology millions have been waiting for over the last several decades.
STEP 01
Creation of the Lenticule
within the cornea.
STEP 02
Lenticule removal – The
lenticule is removed
through a tiny 4mm
opening.
STEP 03
Vision correction – By
removing the lenticule,
the cornea’s shape is
changed, correcting
your nearsightedness
and astigmatism.
With ReLEX SMILE from ZEISS, the VisuMax laser enables the fusion of cutting-edge femtosecond technology and precise lenticule extraction to provide minimally invasive vision correction. A precalculated refractive lenticule and a small incision with utmost accuracy and dependability are created in the intact cornea using ZEISS VisuMax femtolaser. Subsequently, the lenticule is extracted via a small incision of 4 mm, thereby achieving the desired vision correction. Without ablation, without a flap, the ReLEx SMILE treatment is a flapless, all-femto and single-step procedure to improve nearsightedness and astigmatism. To achieve the refractive correction, with ReLEx SMILE, a small incision of 4 mm is sufficient to remove the lenticule from the intrastromal layer of the cornea, thus preserving the corneal structure, keeping the cornea biomechanically stronger and significantly reducing the risk of post-surgical dry eye.
Utilizing the ZEISS VisuMax laser system, the ReLEx SMILE treatment embodies precision, predictability, reproducibility, and perfection.
