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What is Ladarvision Custom LASIK?
The FDA has approved wavefront-guided technology that makes it possible to detect and correct previously undetectable visual disorders. Ladarvision Custom LASIK improves the conventional excimer laser system by precisely mapping and then precisely guiding an excimer laser during surgery. The result is a diagnostic measurement up to 25 times more accurate than standard methods, and a personally customized LASIK procedure that will help you not only see more, but also see more clearly and more sharply.
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How does Ladarvision Custom LASIK work?
The painless, non-intrusive wavefront technology precisely maps the imperfections in your eye’s optics by measuring how light travels through your eye. The doctor measures the wavefront by projecting light into your eye and measuring the reflected light that comes out. The light projected into your eye is focused on the retina. Part of this light reflects back out of your eye to the wavefront, which creates a three-dimensional map. The map is programmed into the laser, which then can customize the treatment for your eye based on your individual, personal 3D topography. Next the wavefront guides the excimer laser more precisely than ever before in reshaping the cornea to correct your personal focusing errors.
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What is the advantage of CustomLASIK?
This technology was developed for astronomy and uses theories of a Nobel prize winning physicist. The implications for your vision are profound and powerful. Wavefront technology provides a measurement of your total focusing errors, known as “higher-order aberrations.” These imperfections were not even detectable before. Until now, glasses, contact lenses and even conventional laser vision surgery corrected only the visual distortions called “lower order aberrations,” commonly known as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. “Lower order aberrations” account for 85-90% of the quality of your vision. Conventional laser surgery provides an improvement in the quantity of your vision – the ability for you to see more of what you look at. But now using the wavefront system, we also can address the remaining 10-15% of your eye’s optical imperfections called “higher order aberrations.” These imperfections often cause glare, shadows, halos and other visual distortions. With wavefront technology, you now can improve not just the quantity, but also the quality of your vision – not just how much you see, but how well you see it. With this new technology you can not only see more, but you can see more sharply and more clearly.
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What is the advantage of IntraLase?
The laser-controlled IntraLase procedure has replaced the previous mechanical process of cutting and lifting a corneal flap before reshaping the cornea with the LASIK laser. The previous method, while good, had inherent limitations and potential risks. IntraLase replaces the metal cutting tool with a laser-precise, laser-cutting technology.
IntraLASIK computer software guides an IntraLase laser beam, which passes into the cornea and pulses a pattern of tiny overlapping spots to create a precise cut of the cornea at a precise depth. One edge of the corneal flap is uncut, forming a hinge to allow your surgeon to fold back the corneal flap and proceed with reshaping the cornea with the excimer laser as in traditional LASIK. The IntraLase laser procedure is over 100 times more accurate than the previous mechanical procedure. IntraLase’s precision may now make it possible to treat patients who previously were dismissed as candidates for laser vision correction because of their thin corneas.
The result is enhanced safety and precision while increasing the range of correction and virtually eliminating problems after the LASIK reshaping of the cornea after the flap is put back in place. The combination of Ladarvision Custom LASIK and IntraLase have elevated the already revolutionary procedure to new heights of precision, safety and success.
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 Who is a candidate for refractive surgery?
You are probably a good candidate for refractive surgery if you are:
- At least 18 years old.
- Have stable vision for one year.
- Have a full eye exam.
- Have a problem (farsightedness, nearsightedness or astigmatism) that can be corrected by refractive surgery.
- Are informed of the benefits and possible complications.
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What is myopia?
Nearsightedness, or myopia, is the most common vision problem, afflicting one in four Americans or about 60 million people. For nearsighted people, distant images are blurry. The condition exists when a misshapen cornea causes converging light rays to focus in front of the retina, the inside back wall of the eye where light receptors are located. Before refractive surgical techniques were developed, eyeglasses and contact lenses were the preferred method of correcting nearsightedness.
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What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism is the result of an eye shaped like a football instead of a basketball. Some portions of the cornea have too much curvature, others not enough. Consequently, light rays focus at several points inside the eye. The result is that objects near and far are out of focus.
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What is an enhancement?
This refers to a procedure performed several weeks after your LASIK surgery, in which your correction may be fine-tuned and improved. The surgeon lifts the flap and applies additional laser. This procedure is painless and occurs only 10 - 35% of the time, depending on your level of myopia and the individual healing of your eye. Though there is no additional charge from Dr. Keller’s office, there may be a small charge for an enhancement from another facility.
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Doesn't all surgery involve some risk?
Yes. In rare cases refractive surgery may result in loss of vision or infection. There also are possible side effects, including fluctuating vision, occasional halos around lights at night, temporary pain and sensitivity to light and glare, some post surgical pain and other effects lasting up to six months such as hazy vision and glare. Side effects typically diminish as the eye heals. Complications are rare, but can include infection, damaged flaps, inadequate healing, unstable vision and progressive over-correction. We recommend you discuss with your ophthalmologist all potential side effects and complications to fully understand the relative risks of refractive surgery.
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How long does it take to recover from laser surgery?
Many patients are able to return to work the next day with little or no discomfort. Most patients recover fully in three days to two weeks following excimer laser surgery. Occasionally vision may take several weeks to fully stabilize.
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Is there pain?
The surgical procedures themselves are virtually painless. The eye is anesthetized with drops. In LASIK surgery, the patient hears a clicking sound as the laser does its work. Some mild soreness may be experienced after the surgery, but is alleviated with medication.
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 Will refractive surgery eliminate the need for reading glasses?
Refractive surgery cannot correct the problem of poor reading ability (presbyopia), which often occurs in middle age requiring reading glasses. (Monovision correction is possible, though. See below)
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Will my insurance pay?
Most insurance programs do not cover refractive surgery because the procedures are performed on healthy organs and therefore not considered medically necessary.
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What is monovision?
Normally both eyes are corrected for distance during the LASIK procedure. Getting rid of distance glasses or contact lenses is the most important element of the procedure for most people. The LASIK procedure is not able to correct the need for reading glasses which commonly occurs when people reach their mid to late 40’s. For people who would like to minimize the need for their reading glasses, we can perform a modified laser correction on one of the eyes to allow that eye to see near objects well. In this way, one eye is corrected for distance, and one for near vision. This arrangement is not for everyone, and testing pre-operatively can be undertaken to see if this would be an appropriate option for an individual patient. This should be discussed at length with your LASIK surgeon. Dr. Keller and his staff make sure all your questions are answered prior to your procedure.
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What are intraocular contact lenses or phakic intraocular lenses?
These lenses are actually placed inside the eye along with the eye’s natural lens. No corneal surgery or laser is performed. This surgery is appropriate for patients with extreme levels of nearsightedness and farsightedness. One of the possible lenses for this procedure was FDA approved in late 2004. This surgery will become more available in coming years.
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How do I schedule an appointment?
Telephone Dr. Keller.
Consultations are free.
Dr. Keller (714) 633-5696
Or … Click Here
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Dr. Charles E. Keller MD, a Board Certified Corneal Specialist
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