LASIK
Monmouth and Ocean Counties, New Jersey
LASIK stands for Laser Assisted in situ Keratomileusis, meaning that it uses a laser to modify the shape of the eye’s cornea (front clear part). Since LASIK was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the 1990s, many modifications and improvements have been made to the procedure. The biggest single improvement has been the introduction of Wavefront-Guided LASIK.
At Susskind and Almallah Eye Associates we use the VISX STAR S4 Excimer Laser System. It is a complete system for delivering Wavefront-guided refractive surgery. You can read more detail about it on our CustomVue Technology page.
Who is a good LASIK candidate?
Not everybody is a good candidate, but good candidacy is a major factor in a successful outcome. We therefore screen our potential patients very carefully. We will do a thorough eye examination and review your medical history. We will talk with you to make sure you understand the procedure and what to expect from it.
To qualify you will need to:
- Be over 18 years of age
- Have a stable prescription (at least two years)
- Be nearsighted, farsighted, and/or astigmatic
- Be free of any disease which would impair your healing, such as Lupus, Hepatitis, or Crohn’s disease
- Have no herpes infection in the eyes
- Have no scarring on the corneas and no eye infections or injuries for at least a year prior
- Understand that no surgery, LASIK included, can have a guaranteed outcome
If we determine that you would not be a good LASIK candidate, you might still be able to have vision correction. We would discuss the possibilities with you at that time.
About your initial consultation:
Your initial consultation for Laser Vision Correction (LASIK), Verisyse Lens
(High Myopia), or Crystalens(cataract replacement lens) typically incorporates a comprehensive dilated eye exam. This exam is approximately one hour and will consist of a thorough clinical evaluation and diagnostic testing to determine the eligibility of each patient based on their desired and recommended procedure. Patients will undergo a WaveScan (WaveFront Guided Technology) to measure the refractive error (prescription) along with the percentage of higher order aberrations (visual obscurations), which contribute to unclear vision. After which the surgeon will explain the formalities of the procedure, including previewing the state of the art technology and complete surgical suite used for the surgery. This laser suite is equipped with unmatched climate control abilities including humidity and temperature regulation along with HEPA filtration to maximize air quality and purity during surgery. We also use the Visx S4 Excimer laser, with precise eye tracking and Iris registration functionality. Once a patient has been determined to be a good candidate for the desired and/or recommended procedure, they meet with our refractive director to review the necessary information and to offer convenient financial options. Procedures are scheduled on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday afternoons.
Preparing for Your LASIK
After we have established your candidacy, you would schedule an appointment for diagnosis. Typically, when you go to an eye doctor for new glasses, the new prescription is established by use of a phoropter. You sit and look into the machine at a little eye chart, reading the smallest letters you can see, while the eye doctor flips from one lens to another, asking, “Is this clearer … or this?”
This is not how your LASIK treatment is planned. Our VISX Wavefront system diagnoses each eye separately, by shining a light into each eye and recording that light’s configuration as it reflects back into the system. The term Wavefront refers to the front of this light as it returns from your eye. The light waves return in a pattern which the system expresses as two 3-D maps, showing the microscopically tiny contours of each eye.
From these two maps, Dr. Almallah plans your treatment. Whereas thousands, probably millions, of other people have the same glasses prescription as you do, no-one else will ever have the same LASIK treatment as you. Every human eye is unique.
The LASIK Procedure
We have a specially-built Laser Suite where we perform LASIK procedures. It has humidity control, air quality control, and temperature control. This helps to enhance your refractive surgery, reducing the likelihood that you will need any touch-up procedure later on.
While you recline comfortably on the patient bed, Dr. Almallah will implement the treatment plan using the same VISX system which diagnosed your eyes. The treatment laser is guided by the diagnostic information, subject to Dr. Almallah’s control.
Treatment lasts only a few minutes. Numbing eyedrops are used so you will feel no pain. A very thin piece of surface tissue is made into a hinged flap and folded back. Tiny pieces of unwanted corneal tissue are vaporized by the laser to modify the cornea’s curvature.
- If you are nearsighted, your treatment will flatten the cornea a little
- If you are farsighted, it will steepen it a little
- If you are astigmatic, the treatment is based on the specific contours of your corneas
Treatment can be done on both astigmatism and near- or far-sightedness at once. When the laser is finished, Dr. Almallah will carefully replace and smooth the corneal flap. It will adhere to the corneal tissue beneath it and heal up without any sutures.
Recovery
You will notice your new vision immediately, but at first your eyes will feel like staying closed. We will keep you for a short while to check on your eyes again before you go home. You should rest; take a long nap, for the rest of the day.
The following day most people resume normal activities, minus the glasses or contact lenses. We will give you a sheet of self-care instructions before you leave, and explain how to keep your eyes protected until they’re fully healed.
If you would like to learn more about how our eyes work, various eye conditions, and how LASIK and other treatments are done, please see our 3D-Eye Online Education page, which has pictures, animations, and text. Remember to turn up your sound.
We offer vision correction and eye care to all of Monmouth and Ocean Counties in New Jersey. Please feel free to call us or send an email if you would like to learn more about LASIK and whether you would be a good candidate for it. We look forward to meeting with you soon.