Why choose the Laser Vision Correction Center of New Jersey to perform your laser vision correction?
Dr. Miller is a board-certified ophthalmologist who annually performs hundreds of vision correction procedures. During his time at Northwestern University, he collaborated with the physicians who directed the initial FDA trials of the VISX excimer laser. The FDA authorized the VISX laser for laser vision correction in 1993. His dedication to innovative technologies continues today. The Laser Vision Correction Center of New Jersey utilizes the most advanced available technology to ensure maximum patient safety and visual outcomes. The practice has been included yearly in Castle Connolly’s “How to Find the Best Doctors in the New York Metropolitan Area,” and he has been named one of “America’s Top Ophthalmologists.” Dr. Miller was awarded the most prestigious honor of NJ Monthly Magazine’s Top Doc edition for the last 8 years. This is the only award voted by licensed NJ physicians as to whom they use for themselves and their families.
What laser technology do we use?
We utilize VISX’s Star S4 CustomVue excimer laser, which is FDA-approved and a pioneer in excimer laser technology. The VISX laser uses wavefront technology for highly accurate and individualized corneal mapping. In addition, it includes an active tracking system (“Active Trak”) to ensure synchronized tracking of your eye movements during surgery for precise laser implementation. Additionally, the VISX Star S4 laser is equipped with Variable Spot Scanning (VSS), which permits larger ablation zones with minimal increase in ablation depth, thereby enhancing the treatment’s safety. This technology incorporates Iris Registration to align the laser with the eye for the most accurate treatments. The VISX CustomVue system produces the smoothest corneal ablations of any system currently available, as well as remarkable, customized vision outcomes for patients.
We create the corneal flap using the FemtoSecond (FS-150) laser, also known as IntraLase, the most advanced, blade-free technology currently available. The FS laser has replaced the previously utilized microkeratome (mechanical blade) for flap creation. This new laser creates a precise flap in only fifteen seconds and eliminates any risks associated with the microkeratome. Less trauma to the eye and greater precision provides patients with better visual outcomes.
Who is not a good candidate for laser vision correction?
Candidates for laser eye surgery must have maintained a stable prescription for eyeglasses for at least one year. If your eyeglass prescription varies by more than 0.50 diopters per year, you are not a good candidate for vision correction. In addition, you are not a good candidate if you have keratoconus (a steepening of the cornea) or another active eye disease, uncontrolled diabetes, or if you are pregnant or nursing.
What is LASIK?
LASIK is currently the most popular form of laser vision correction, with millions of procedures performed annually across the globe. In the first step of the two-step procedure, the FS laser is used to create a thin, protective flap in the outermost layer of the cornea. The excimer laser then reshapes the underlying corneal tissue gently, allowing the cornea to focus light correctly on the back of the retina. When the excimer laser has completed reshaping the corneal tissue, the outer flap is replaced in its original position, where it freely adheres to the surrounding tissue. In LASIK, the creation of the corneal flap results in rapid post-operative healing times and minimal discomfort.
Does LASIK hurt?
Patients typically experience no pain during LASIK surgery and minimal discomfort after the procedure. Eye drops will be used to numb the eyes prior to surgery. Patients may experience red, itchy eyes after surgery. This sensation typically subsides within 24 hours. The first week to month after the procedure, your eyes may feel drier than usual; however, all patients are evaluated for dry eyes prior to surgery. Oral nutritional supplements to improve the tear film, prescription eye drops called Restasis that increase tear production, and punctal plugs to help your eyes retain moisture are all available and effective in reducing dry eye before or after surgery.
Is the VISX laser FDA approved for laser vision correction?
Yes. Since 1993, the VISX laser has received FDA approval for LASIK, Custom LASIK, and PRK for treatment of varying degrees of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
What is all-laser LASIK?
All-laser LASIK is a new technology that has replaced the microkeratome (mechanical blade) used in the first step of LASIK. Intralase has created a new laser known as the FemtoSecond or FS laser, which is capable of targeting extremely precise depths and locations within the outer corneal layer, resulting in a more precise creation of the corneal flap. Less trauma (as a result of the lack of a blade) and increased precision result in a quicker recovery time and a superior visual outcome. IntraLase is now the first-choice method for laser vision correction.
What is Custom LASIK with wavefront technology?
Custom LASIK is the most recent development in laser vision correction. It employs wavefront technology, to customize your laser vision treatment Using wavefront technology, ophthalmologists can measure the unique aberrations present in each individual’s eyes and then create a customized, three-dimensional corneal map. This mapping allows for greater accuracy in determining LASIK candidacy and precise application of the excimer laser during the actual procedure. Using Custom LASIK, your laser vision correction will be uniquely tailored to your eyes. Prior to the procedure, we may use the Prevue Lens to demonstrate the advantages of Custom LASIK over standard LASIK.
Can we perform monovision with Custom LASIK?
Patients in their forties and fifties frequently explore monovision as a therapy option. These patients have already lost much of their natural ability to focus on close objects (presbyopia), but still want to be free of glasses or contacts. This is an option provided by Monovision. We will correct one eye for near focus and the other eye for distance during monovision laser vision correction. Patients are first asked to try monovision using contact lenses to see if this is the best treatment option for them.
On the distance eye, we can apply Custom LASIK correction. However, this level of treatment is not permitted for near vision, which can be treated with regular LASIK.
What are the risks of LASIK?
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with LASIK, and patients should be aware of these risks before opting to undergo laser vision correction. However, the occurrence of these complications is modest, and the majority are medically controllable.
The most common problems during LASIK are related to either the tissue reshaping or the flap. Over-correction, under-correction, or loss of best-corrected vision are potential side effects of laser reshaping, as are night vision issues such as glare and halos. The use of nomograms and Custom LASIK wavefront mapping can considerably decrease the occurrence of these effects, which occur in only a tiny proportion of patients, are typically medically controllable, and can be greatly reduced.
Infrequent flap-related issues include a thin, short, misplaced, or wrinkled flap. To drastically eliminate these risks, we offer an ALL-Laser treatment using the FS (FemtoSecond) laser to generate the flap. This groundbreaking new laser is now the first step of choice for laser vision correction. Moreover, we educate patients on the significance of postoperative care.
Understanding the risks associated with LASIK is crucial before deciding on laser vision treatment. We would be happy to discuss the risks and benefits of LASIK eye surgery in greater depth with you.