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Laser Vision Correction

The eximer laser was FDA approved in 1995 and has since then treated millions of people to eliminate or reduce their dependence on glasses and contact lenses. Whether you suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, we may be able to provide you with the potential to experience better vision than is possible with glasses or contact lenses.

NASA Approves Advanced LASIK For Use On Astronauts:
http://mcoaicare.com/documents/NASAapprovesAdvancedLASIK.pdf

LASIK FAQs

The highly sophisticated excimer laser uses light energy to correct focusing problems by vaporizing away a small amount of tissue from the central area of the cornea. Most surgical laser beams effect tissue by producing heat that burns it, or by producing a shock wave that separates tissue with micro-explosions. The excimer laser is different. It uses a charged mixture of argon and fluorine gases to produce a cool beam of ultra violet light. The beam is unique because it breaks the molecular bonds between cells and vaporizes tissue, one microscopic layer at a time. The excimer precisely sculpts tissue with almost no effect on the surrounding tissue. This ability makes it ideal for changing the shape of the cornea.

CustomVue - Your Individualized laser vision correction.

If you are a candidate for CustomVue, your unique correction information is transferred from the WaveScan (technology which produces a ‘fingerprint’ like image of your vision) to the VISX Star S4™ excimer laser and guides the laser. The cool beam laser gently reshapes the cornea, often in less than a minute, to create a new curvature. During the procedure, the 3D ACTIVETRAK™ eye tracker follows the eye’s tiniest moves. It automatically repositions the laser to keep the laser beam focused where the doctor wants it during the procedure.

VISX CustomVue measures and addresses the unique imperfections of your vision and provides you with...Your Personal Best Vision.

To find out what options may be best for you, contact our office to schedule your consultation. Why wait?  Simply email our office for more information or call (210) 697-2008.

A number of treatments have been developed to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Over the past several years, surgically changing the eye’s focusing power is an option that has gained an increasing amount of public attention. Now, with the advent of the excimer laser, laser vision correction is gaining world-wide popularity.

History
In 1960, South American surgeon Jose Barraquer performed an operation in which he removed a thin section of the cornea, reshaped it like a contact lens, then replaced it. Encouraged by his experience, surgeons introduced the procedure to the United States in 1980. However, a number of factors kept this original procedure from becoming widespread.
Creation of a sophisticated instrument call a microkeratome made the removal of very thin layers of tissue easier and more successful. A treatment evolved called automated lamellar keratoplasty (ALK). With this procedure, surgeons used t he microkeratome to simply create a flap of tissue, instead of completely removing the thin layer from the cornea. With the flap lifted out of the way, a second pass of the instrument then removed a microscopic amount of underlying tissue to correct the focusing problem. When the treatment was completed, it was easier to align and reattach the hinged flap.
With the highly advanced excimer laser, surgeons have combined the microkeratome’s ability to create a precision flap with the accuracy of the laser in removing underlying tissue. The combination of ALK and PRK is called LASIK. It is a treatment option that has overshadowed traditional PRK.

Range of correction
LASIK can treat nearsightedness and farsightedness (if the first number on your glasses prescription is between +5.00 and -20.00. Astigmatism up to -8.00 can also be treated).

Possible risks and side effects Even though LASIK is a relatively safe procedure with a history of very few complications, these risks and temporary side effects should be considered:

  • Infection
  • Corneal Flap Problems
  • Undercorrection or Overcorrection
  • Corneal Surface Irregularities
  • Contact Lens Intolerance
  • Halo Effect · Light Sensitivity
  • Fluctuating Vision
  • Eye Coordination (usually not a problem as both eyes are normally treated at the same time)

If you are interested in finding out if you are a candidate for Laser Vision Correction, please contact MCOA by email at or call 210-697-2020.