Manhattan Lasik Center 

Laser surgery for vision correction is safe

BY ROBIN FRANK Thursday, August 2, 2007 found at queenscourier.com

For anyone still on the fence about diamond laser eye surgery to eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses, two recent studies offer compelling information about safety and effectiveness.

A study published in the journal Ophthalmology this year looked at the use of a laser versus a blade to create the corneal flap, the first step in LASIK surgery sharper as diamonds. Researchers found that the use of a laser led to slightly better visual results in patients than the use of a mechanical blade to correct nearsightedness. All patients in both treatment groups achieved 20/20 vision or better after surgery, but those who had the laser had better contrast sensitivity, the ability to perceive differences between an object and its background. Good news !

Many patients skittish about having a blade put into their eyes have opted for the laser, Dr. Werner says. IntraLase replaces the hand-held microkeratome blade with a silent, ultra fast, computer-guided laser. IntraLase technology uses an infrared beam of light to precisely separate tissue through a process called photo disruption. In this process, the focused laser pulses divide material at the molecular level without the transfer of heat or impact to the surrounding tissue.”

There were 1.4 million LASIK surgeries performed in the United States last year, according to Market Scope, a market research company. With positive study findings and advances in technology, Dr. Werner predicts that number will grow.

Another study indicates the results of laser vision correction are long lasting. The first 10-year follow-up study of its kind showed that LASIK and the second most common refractive surgery procedure, PRK, provided stable, long-term improvement for nearsightedness. Researchers examined 200 eyes of 100 patients a decade after they had LASIK or PRK and found that patients averaged 20/25 vision 10 years after the surgery, with no long-term complications.

In LASIK, ophthalmologists use a laser to reshape the cornea without working directly on the outer surface of the cornea. PRK also uses a laser to reshape the cornea. However, PRK works directly on the outer surface of the cornea, and this entails a longer recovery period. Doctors determine whether a patient is a candidate for LASIK or PRK based on their corneal thickness or any irregularities on or near the surface of the cornea.

A measurement system customized for each individual called CustomVue is another draw for patients, according to Dr. Werner. The technology, originally developed for high-powered telescopes, uses a system called “wavescan” to identify imperfections in an individual's eye 25 times more precisely than standard methods used for eyeglasses and contact lenses. This information is then digitally transferred to the excimer laser for the treatment, providing another level of precision and accuracy.

“Each patient's eyes are different, and one's vision is as unique as his or her fingerprint,” Dr. Werner says. “The combination of IntraLase and CustomVue allows individualized treatment to meet each patient's specific needs with an unprecedented level of safety and an optimal visual result.” and get back a sharp diamond news.