Crown Laser Center solutions

lasik procedure

IntraLase Blade Free LASIK

Custom Wavefront LASIK

iLASIK

PRK

Laser vision correction is a term used to describe a variety of vision correction treatments for common vision correction problems.

The most commonly referred to procedure is LASIK.  LASIK stands for Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis.  This literally means, “to shape the cornea within, using laser.”  LASIK can be used to reduce or eliminate nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism.  These conditions are due to abnormal curvature of the cornea (the clear window of the eye).

During LASIK, an instrument called a keratome is used to elevate a very thin surface on the front surface of the cornea.  This layer is created to allow the laser light to etch the new corneal curvature in the cell layers underneath.  The surface layer is then put back in place to protect the newly reshaped cornea. The average LASIK procedure takes about 7 to 10 minutes per eye.  LASIK is a remarkable medical advancement that allows most patients to go from 20/400 -- or even 20/1000 -- to 20/20 the day following surgery. 

Patients will walk away a few moments after this procedure, but are encouraged to rest the day of surgery.  A follow up visit with your eye surgeon will be arranged to ensure proper healing as well determine how much your vision has improved.

IntraLase Blade Free LASIK
If you’re looking for the blade-free treatment than IntraLase is what you are looking for.

The IntraLase Method is a 100% blade-free technique used to perform the critical first step in the LASIK procedure: creating the corneal flap. The creation of the corneal flap prepares the eye for the second step of the LASIK procedure, where an excimer laser is used on the inner cornea to correct vision.  The IntraLase Method delivers outstanding vision results: more patients achieve vision that is 20/20 or better when the IntraLase Method is used. 

Custom Wavefront LASIK
Custom Wavefront LASIK enables your surgeon to customize the conventional LASIK procedure to your individual eye.  Custom wavefront LASIK uses 3-dimensional measurements of how your eye processes images to guide the laser in re-shaping the front part of the eye (cornea).

With a wavefront measurement system, some extremely precise, individualized vision correction outcomes may be achieved that would be impossible with traditional LASIK surgery, contact lenses, or eyeglasses.  Custom LASIK gives you a greater chance of achieving 20/20 vision or better, reduces the chance of night-vision disturbance and glare, and reduces the chance of losing visual quality or contrast sensitivity.

iLASIK
The iLASIK procedure is the result of a decade’s worth of technical refinement - it combines all of the latest all-laser LASIK technology in one efficient LASIK procedure.

The first step in the iLASIK procedure is to perform a series of tests to determine the individual characteristics of your vision with the WaveScan.  The WaveScan system creates a 3-D map of your eye.  The Advanced CustomVue process uses the digital information to design a custom treatment for each individual eye. The iLASIK procedure exclusively uses the latest advancement in technology, the IntraLase Method.  Customized to the dimensions of your cornea, the laser pulses create thousands of microscopic bubbles. It is 100% all laser approach to create the thin flap of tissue that the doctor folds back in order to perform your laser vision correction. The Advance CustomVue process has earned the FDA approval to treat the broadest range of vision imperfections possible, including mild-to-severe nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.  Clinical studies* results showed that one year after treatment.

PRK
PRK eye surgery is similar to LASIK eye surgery in that it is a vision correction procedure that uses an excimer laser to shape the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye.  

During the LASIK procedure, the surgeon uses a microkeratome blade to create a corneal flap. This flap of tissue is then folded back, exposing the inner cornea where the treatment will take place. After the procedure, the flap is repositioned.

During PRK eye surgery, however, the surgeon accesses the cornea’s inner layers by removing the thin outer layer of the cornea completely from the eye. After the PRK procedure, bandage contact lenses are worn to promote healing of the cornea.

Both LASIK and PRK produce similar vision correction results, but it typically takes longer to fully recover from PRK. The main advantage of this procedure, however, is that patients who are not candidates for LASIK due to certain corneal conditions or corneal scars, can often be treated with PRK eye surgery.

If you are interested in laser vision correction, Crown Laser Center doctors can explain PRK vs. LASIK in more detail and help you determine if either procedure is right for you.

To schedule an eye exam or a FREE LASIK consultation, call 1-800-EYECARE (393-2273) for an exam at any of our Crown Vision Center locations.