Laser vision correction is a procedure to change the shape of the cornea, thereby reducing or eliminating your need for glasses. When you have the Blade-Free Custom procedure, you’ll get a completely integrated, completely personalized procedure based on advanced vision correction technology at every step.
- Step 1: Creating your personal vision profile
- The first step in the procedure is to perform a series of tests to determine the individual characteristics of your vision, including the use of our WaveScan Technology. The WaveScan System creates a 3-D map of the unique imperfections of your eyes. Then our Advanced CustomVue treatment uses the digital information from that map to design a custom treatment for each of your eyes.
- Step 2: Making the flap
- The Blade-Free custom procedure uses an advanced technology called the IntraLase Method, which is a 100% blade-free approach. The laser moves back and forth across your eye, and a uniform layer of tiny microscopic bubbles form just below the corneal surface at a specific depth and position determined by the surgeon. The corneal flap is created by gently separating the tissue where these bubbles have formed. The flap is folded back so the surgeon can correct your vision by reshaping the cornea using an excimer laser. Once the procedure is completed, the corneal flap is positioned back in place.
Although traditional LASIK is an extremely safe and effective procedure, LASIK with Intralase offers patients a new sense of assurance and peace of mind through added safety and increased precision in a less invasive manner.
Clinical studies show that one year after treatment:
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- 100 percent of nearsighted patients and more than 95 percent of all clinical study patients could pass a driving test without glasses or contact lenses.
- 98 percent of mild to moderate nearsighted patients and almost three-quarters of all clinical study patients could see 20/20 or better without glasses or contact lenses.
- Four times as many mild-to-moderate near- sighted participants were very satisfied with their night vision after treatment compared to their night vision before treatment with glasses or contacts.
Know Your Surgeon
At Medical Associates, your surgeon will not only perform your LASIK, but evaluate your eyes before and after surgery, providing quality exams for quality results. Our post-operative care is exceptional – we include multiple follow-up visits for up to 2 years after your surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is the procedure performed?
- Refractive surgical procedures are performed in the laser suite at Medical Associates Ophthalmology Department, West Campus, Dubuque, IA. All follow-up care is at Medical Associates in Dubuque.
- Does it hurt?
- LASIK creates a pressure sensation during the procedure that is mildly uncomfortable. There may be minimal discomfort after the procedure.
- How long will I be off work?
- Typically, patients return to work within one to two days, depending upon your occupation. We would like you to avoid dusty or smoky environments for three days postoperatively to help avoid excessive eye irritation.
- Are the results going to last?
- Studies have shown that vision is stable during the initial ten-year study. Unlike plastic surgery procedures, Laser Refractive Surgery results are stable and permanent.
- The Advanced CustomVue procedure and the Excimer Laser have earned FDA approval after rigorous government testing.
- Is LASIK right for me?
- If you’re one of the 140 million Americans who are afflicted with a refractive disorder such as nearsighted, farsighted or having astigmatism, LASIK surgery may offer the vision you want without the constraints of glasses or contacts.
