If you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism and prefer not to wear glasses or contacts, you may consider LASIK eye surgery. It is simple, effective and over 20 million procedures have been performed worldwide. Over one million Americans choose to have LASIK every year. Here are some basics on LASIK.
LASIK has been performed in the United States since 1993. LASIK or laser in situ kertomileusis is a procedure that is performed by an ophthalmologist using an excimer laser to gently reshape the cornea in order to change its focusing power. LASIK is an outpatient procedure and is generally done in the office. The procedure itself takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
Wavefront or Custom LASIK was approved by the FDA in 2002. The Wavefront system is a diagnostic tool used to send waves of light to the retina. The light then bounces off the retina, which measures the irregularities in the cornea and produces a 3D map of the eye’s optical system. This is unique to each patient. Once the data is retrieved, the WaveScan designs a custom treatment for each eye.
iLASIK is a combination of Wavefront or Custom LASIK and IntraLase. IntraLase is a method used by your surgeon to create a corneal flap. With IntraLase, an additional laser is used instead of one like in earlier generations of LASIK. The first laser (femtosecond laser) creates a thin corneal flap, which is then folded back to allow the second laser (excimer laser) to correct your vision based on the exact specifications/measurements taken by the Wavefront unit.
In order to have LASIK or be a candidate for LASIK, you must be over the age of 18 with a stable prescription and meet the following criteria: good eye health, good general health, sufficient corneal thickness, and a normal-shaped cornea. LASIK does not correct the natural aging process of the eyes which causes someone over the age of 40 to be unable to read up-close. There are other procedures available today to address these issues. For more information you can contact our office.
A comprehensive eye exam will be performed by your physician prior to any surgical procedure to determine your true candidacy. Alexandria Eye and Laser Center offers free screenings to determine if you are a candidate for LASIK.
Alexandria Eye and Laser Center physicians have performed over 3,500 LASIK procedures and have twenty years combined experience with LASIK. The practice is the only group in the area offering a variety of LASIK options to patients including Traditional and Custom LASIK with the microkeratome (mechanical blade) and IntraLase (blade-free), also known as the iLASIK procedure. The practice’s total eye care team includes Karren Laird Russo, M.D. Bernard Patty III, M.D., Michael Redmond, M.D., T. Chadwick Norton, M.D., Eric R. Reish, M.D., Richard M. Walters, O.D., Bryan Jeanfreau, O.D., Kayla Gaddis, O.D., and Ginger Delafosse, O.D. Alexandria Eye and Laser Center is based in Alexandria with additional offices in Leesville, Ville Platte, Natchitoches, Winnfield, Ferriday, Jonesville, Oakdale, and Urania.
Currently, Alexandria Eye and Laser Center is offering special pricing on LASIK for a limited time only. Patients can save $1,000.00 with $0 down and 0% interest financing for 12 months on any LASIK procedure offered at Alexandria Eye and Laser Center. This offer is available for a limited time, so patients should schedule a consultation as soon as possible.
For more information about this procedure and other refractive procedures offered at Alexandria Eye and Laser Center, visit www.alexandriaeye.com or call Kim Solomon at (318) 561-0900. You can also find us on Facebook and YouTube.
