|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
Technology
|
CORNEAL FLAP CREATION
IntraLase® Bladeless is Better
Siems Advanced LASIK Center is proud to have been one of the first
sites in the U.S. to offer this next-generation, advanced laser technology
to create the corneal flap, the important first step in the LASIK procedure.
IntraLase provides a computer-controlled, all-laser approach to the flap-creating
process. This is recognized as one of the key ingredients in optimizing
not only visual results but safety.
By replacing the traditional blade
with a silent, tiny beam of laser
light, the IntraLase laser dramatically
reduces the risk of complications
by creating over a million, tiny,
two-micron sized bubbles that separate
the corneal tissue creating the corneal
flap. In fact, more patients are now
candidates for LASIK due to this unique
level of precision that was previously
unavailable with a blade. This precision
makes LASIK correction with IntraLase
one of the safest forms of laser vision
correction available today.
Upgraded software technology has dramatically
increases the speed at which Intralase
is performed. Five years ago, it took
two minutes to create a corneal flap.
Today, thanks to the introduction of
the 60 khz Intralse software, it now
takes less than 20 seconds to create
a corneal flap.
See Animated Video
of Intralase Surgery
CONVENTIONAL VS. CUSTOM TREATMENT
Higher Order Distortions
|
|
NOT ALL 20/20 IS THE SAME
Since the mid-1800s, doctors have measured vision by having patients
read letters on a standard Snellen Eye Chart. Doctors considered your
vision "normal" if you could read the 20/20 line on the
chart from a distance of 20 feet. |
However, reading 20/20 on your vision test doesn't necessarily mean you
have excellent vision, especially if the vision doesn't seem crisp or clear
to you.
Until now, conventional LASIK, like glasses and contacts, could only correct
the visual distortions caused by nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
However, these three common vision distortions, "lower order distortions,"
are only responsible for approximately 85%-90% of the overall quality of
your vision. There are other distortions in your eye's optical system that
may affect the clarity of your vision and how well you see at night or in
dim light. Doctors call these visual distortions "higher order distortions."
These distortions affect the quality of vision and may cause glare, shadows,
halos, and other annoying visual side effects. Unless these higher order
distortions are addressed along with the lower order distortions, the quality
of your vision may not be ideal, even if you have measurable vision of 20/20.
The combined treatment of lower and higher order distortions represent custom
LASIK.
QUALITY VERSUS QUANTITY OF VISION
|
|
Just like a fingerprint, each person's vision is 100% unique
to their eyes. |
Before recent advancements in technology, doctors were only able to use
standard measurements of lower order distortions to correct vision, meaning
that prescriptions could only provide a certain level of correction regardless
of an individual's needs.
|
|
Using wavefront or custom technology, developed originally for use
in high-powered telescopes to reduce distortions when viewing distant
objects in space, doctors can now identify, measure, and correct these
higher order distortions, providing a new level of precision and accuracy.
|
CUSTOM LASIK
With the advent of wavefront diagnostic technology, wavefront-guided excimer
lasers can now treat patients according to the uniqueness of their entire
optical system, not just their prescription. Light travels in a procession
of flat sheets known as wavefronts. Gentle wavefronts of light enter the
eye and pass through the entire optical system. As they are reflected back
and exit the eye, the distorted waves of light are compared with the flat
waves of light that would have returned in a perfect optical system.
|
This information is converted to a 3D map, saved on computer disk,
and transferred to the excimer laser where it is guided by eye tracking
technology. The eye tracker follows the eye's tiniest movements and
automatically repositions the laser beam to focus exactly where the
doctor wants it. The cornea is reshaped to each individual's unique
"custom" correction. In contrast to conventional LASIK,
both lower order and higher order distortions are corrected with custom
LASIK. |
SIEMS LASIK LASER TECHNOLOGY
The majority of Lasik Centers limit their technology to one type of laser.
Dr. Siems has committed himself to providing his patients with the benefit
of multiple types of laser technology. Each type of Lasik laser has inherent
strengths and weaknesses. Multiple laser technologies allow Dr. Siems to
select the laser he feels is most suited for a patient's given refractive
error creating a procedure specifically tailored to the patients needs.
MULTIPLE ON-SITE LASER TECHNOLOGIES INCLUDE:
The Bausch & Lomb Technolas z100
VISX S4 (which includes the latest iris recognition technology)
And, LadarVision by Alcon
*Laser Technology is subject to change as advances are made in the field
of Refractive Medicine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
