The IntraLase Method is a 100% blade-free approach to creating your corneal flap— the thin flap of tissue that the doctor folds back in order to perform your LASIK procedure.
How does it differ from other methods of creating a corneal flap?
The only other way to create a corneal flap is by using an instrument called a microkeratome. A microkeratome is a hand-held steel blade that makes a cut as it travels across the cornea. With the IntraLase Method, a blade never touches your eye.
How does the IntraLase Method work?
Tiny pulses of laser light pass harmlessly through the outer portion of your cornea and form a uniform layer of microscopic bubbles just beneath the surface of your eye. Just prior to LASIK surgery, the doctor can lift the corneal flap by gently and easily separating the tissue where these bubbles have formed.
Besides being blade free, what other benefits are there to the IntraLase Method?
IntraLase Method virtually eliminates the most severe sight-threatening complications. While LASIK complications are rare, when they do occur they are primarily related to the use of the microkeratome. The Method is 100% blade-free, exceptionally advanced, and has been shown to improve outcomes for more patients.1 And patients report better quality of vision overall, particularly in terms of their ability to see well in low light
Is the IntraLase Method proven?
To date, the IntraLase Method has been used in hundreds of thousands of LASIK procedures around the world.
How long does it take to create a flap using the IntraLase Method?
The creation of the flap itself takes only about 15-20 seconds per eye. Including preparation time, the LASIK procedure takes about 10 minutes total.
Is it painful?
No—the doctor applies drops to numb the eye.
What’s the reaction of patients who have experienced the IntraLase Method?
In a clinical survey, the vision in the IntraLase treated eye was preferred by LASIK patients 3-to-1 over the vision in the microkeratome-treated eye.
Ready to decide if laser vision correction surgery is for you? Contact Eye LASIK Midland for a free evaluation. Click HERE or on the image below to schedule your free consultation.
Summer vacation for school-age children means outdoor play and long hours at the pool or beach. The increased sports activity and exposure to ultraviolet rays also means an increased risk to children’s eyes.
New research shows that children’s eyes can be damaged from sun exposure, just like their skin. This damage may put them at increased risk of developing debilitating diseases such as cataracts or macular degeneration as adults. Most parents are aware of the critical need to protect their children’s skin from UV exposure, yet few insist their children wear sunglasses.
Wearing protective goggles during sports activity is also highly recommended. The National Eye Institute reports there are more than 100,000 sports-related eye injuries every year with 42,000 requiring emergency care.
Below are 5 steps recommended to protect children’s eyes
1. Make sure your kids wear sunglasses-especially younger children.
Half the entire time we spend outdoors in our lives occurs before 12-years of age. Sunglasses for children may be purchased inexpensively at many retail and online outlets but make sure the sunglasses you purchase are rated to block both UVA and UVB radiation. All sunglasses block UVB, but some do not block UVA rays, which are damaging to the retina. Look for glasses with a polycarbonate lens and know that children under six may need a pair with Velcro straps to keep them in place.
2. Wear protective eye gear for ball sports.
Every year, some 18,000 sports-related eye injuries are seen in US hospital emergency rooms in this country. While helmets are required for many organized sports like baseball, goggles or face guards usually are not. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that children wear polycarbonate goggles for baseball, basketball and racket sports, including tennis. Regular glasses are not recommended, since they usually are not secured to the head, nor made from polycarbonate.
3. If sand gets in your child’s eyes, don’t let him rub it.
If a child gets sand blown or thrown into his eyes, an adult should immediately take the child to a sink with running water. Do not allow him to rub his eyes as this can cause damage to the cornea (outer layer of the eye). Use a clean cup to pour water over the eyes to remove sand particles. Encourage blinking and do not discourage crying, since tears remove eye irritants. If flushing and blinking does not remove the sand particles, seek medical attention.
4. Find and use a non-irritating sunscreen.
Generally, adult sunscreens are fine for children. If your child gets a rash from his sunscreen, review the ingredient’s list and choose a different one. Look for one that is PABA free, since that chemical can cause irritation in some individuals. You might also look for one that gets its UVA protection from titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, both inert sun blocking pigments, which tend to be thicker, more stable and less irritating than avobenzone, another common ingredient. Sunscreen is important; your child should not be discouraged from using it because of a fear of irritation.
5. Check the chlorine level in your pool.
If a swimming pool has too little chlorine, it can allow algae and other bacteria to grow, which can lead to eye infections. Also, be sure to check the levels of chloramines and the pH of the pool to avoid stinging and redness. One easy solution is to have children wear a pair of goggles that will keep pool water from entering the eye. After swimming in a pool, have your child shower. If redness and irritation persist after swimming, it could be a sign of a more serious infection and should be seen by a physician.
So many people talk about how Lasik Eye surgery has changed their life. We love hearing that, and seeing people who have been referred by our friends who have already seen the benefits of laser vision correction surgery.
There are times, however, people may not be an idea candidate for the procedure. Here are some reasons why Lasik isn’t your best choice. Lasik eye surgery is generally not recommended for patients presenting with non correctable vision problems.
Non correctable vision problems may include any condition where the vision cannot be corrected to a useful degree with either glasses, contacts, or refractive surgery (Lasik/PRK).
Lasik is usually not recommended for patients that have abnormally thin, extremely warped, or extremely damaged corneas (clear window at the front of the eye).
Lasik is also not recommended for people that present with double vision because of an abnormal eye turn (strabismus) that is only corrected with glasses, it is recommended that these patients be consulted by a strabismus surgeon prior to proceeding with Lasik.
Lasik surgery is generally not performed on patients with active ocular disease or infection, as well as patients with certain uncontrolled system problems, such as uncontrolled diabetes.
The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for Lasik surgery is to visit Eye LASIK Midland for a comprehensive Lasik consultation. Click HERE or on the image below for your free evaluation.
Eye LASIK Midland offers a new approach to laser vision correction – allowing patients to work with the primary eye doctor they’ve known for years. This means the patient’s optometrist performs all the work preceding the laser procedure, as well as all the follow-up visits. With Eye LASIK Midland, patients receive premium care from all the doctors they know and trust.
Ready to find out of laser vision correction is for you? Click HERE to request a free consultation.
These Tory Burch sunglasses would be another great way to protect your eyes! Sign up for our newsletter by clicking on the image below and be entered to win.
Nobody likes to think about aging and getting on in years, but for those considering laser vision correction surgery, it’s something that needs to be considered before making a decision.
The Perfect Age for Laser Vision Correction Surgery
The easy answer to the question “is there a perfect age for LASIK?” is no. A patient can have laser vision correction surgery at any age and do well provided the eyes are healthy. The main consideration for LASIK surgery is a prescription that has been stable for at least one year.
This is why the FDA recommends that patients be at least 18 years or older before undergoing the procedure. The growth experienced during adolescence causes constant changes, which includes the eyes. However, there are some teenagers who are good candidates for LASIK because their prescription has been stable for a year or two.
Patients over 50
LASIK, like plastic surgery, has become more popular with people of the baby boomer generation. Many patients over the age of 50 are now considering laser vision correction surgery because they are very active and enjoy activities such as tennis or boating where freedom from glasses for distance would be beneficial.
There is no reason a patient over 50 can’t have LASIK surgery provided they do not have any signs of diseases such as corneal thinning or cataracts which could cause problems during or after the procedure. A family history of glaucoma or other eye disease also needs to be carefully considered before the patient undergoes treatment. Likewise, the patient needs to be healthy systemically, meaning they should not have conditions such as diabetes that can cause changes in the vision on a day to day basis. The patient’s current medications should also be taken into consideration.
Problems with Reading
Patients over 50 also need to be aware that they will most likely need reading glasses after a LASIK procedure. However, there is the option of being treated with what is termed monovision laser vision correction surgery. With monovision, one eye is corrected for distance and the other is corrected for reading up close.
When considering laser vision correction surgery, it’s imperative to have a consult with the surgeon prior to making a decision. Ultimately, it’s up to the ophthalmologist performing the procedure to decide whether or not the patient is a good candidate for surgery, regardless of age.
Find out if Laser Vision Correction Surgery is for you. Schedule your free initial consultation HERE or by clicking on the image below.
Eye LASIK Midland continues to provide superior lasik procedures by using the newest and most advanced technology available. The Advanced CustomVue lasik procedure, which has been approved by the FDA since 2003, completely revolutionizes laser vision correction. This lasik procedure allows people who previously were not candidates of laser surgery finally get the vision they’ve always wanted.
A Completely Individualized Treatment
Advanced CustomVue LASIK allows your laser vision correction procedure to be completely individualized. Your treatment will be tailored to your specific visual needs. At your consultation, our skilled physicians will discuss the procedure with you, and then test your eyes with the Wavescan system.
The Wavescan system maps not only your prescription but all of the imperfections that are unique to your eyes. This digital information is used by the Advanced CustomVue lasik procedure to design completely customized treatment for each eye.
The Visx Iris Registration Technology, which is available only with our Advanced CustomVue lasik procedure, centers the laser to ensure precise treatment by tracking the most subtle of eye movements. This revolutionary safety measure ensures your treatment is delivered accurately and precisely.
What to Expect on Procedure Day
When you come in for your lasik procedure, our physicians will welcome you to our surgery center, and prep you for the procedure by numbing your eyes with anesthetic drops. This will make things much more comfortable for you.
The results of your Wavescan map will be transferred to the Star S4 IR Excimer laser and your treatment will begin. The laser uses a cool beam to reshape your cornea, smoothing out aberrations and creating a new corneal curvature to correct your vision.
Find out if Eye LASIK is for you with our complimentary consultation. CLICK HERE or on the image below for more details.
Your Results
Our patients typically see results right after the procedure, and wake up the next morning with a view of the world they’ve never seen without glasses or contacts. Vision improves dramatically over the next several days.
The Advanced CustomVue lasik procedure has been shown through clinical studies to actually improve your vision beyond what you see with glasses or contacts. Most of our patients notice a dramatic difference between their vision after their lasik procedure and their vision with glasses or contacts.
This lasik procedure also produces excellent long term results. About 98 percent of patients see 20/20 or better one year after their procedure, and 100 percent of patients were able to pass a driving test one year later without any correction.
