LASIK
Laser Refractive Surgery
Many people who are tired of wearing glasses or contact lenses seek the help of refractive surgeons, like Dr. Henderson. Refractive surgery improves vision by correcting refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. A high percentage of patients enjoy 20/20 vision or better after their procedure.
LASIK stands for laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis. Like Photo-Refractive Keratectomy, which utilizes the Excimer Laser, LASIK reshapes the cornea with laser technology. The shape of the cornea is what determines whether you are nearsighted, farsighted, have astigmatism or have normal vision. The Excimer Laser emits a "cool" laser light that can remove microscopic amounts of tissue with extreme precision. Physicians can program the laser to sculpt the cornea.
CustomVue™ LASIK
The Advanced CustomVue ™ procedure was developed by VISX®, the company that invented laser vision correction. VISX™ Technology remains the industry's leader in the U.S., used by more doctors that all others combined. The Advanced CustomVue™ procedure is ushering in a new era in laser vision correction. The doorway to freedom from glasses and contact lenses is now open to millions of people, including many who were once told they were not candidates.
The reason is simple-until now, there has never been a laser vision correction procedure that offers the precision and accuracy of the Advanced CustomVue™ procedure. Since 2003, the Advanced CustomVue™ procedure has earned FDA approval to treat the broadest range of vision imperfections possible, including mild to severe nearsightedness (up to 11 diopters of correction), farsightedness, and all types of astigmatism. Clinical studies presented to the FDA show that the Advanced CustomVue™ procedure can potentially produce better vision than is possible with glasses or contact lenses. In fact, clinical studies have shown that more patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their vision after the Advanced CustomVue™ treatment than they were before treatment with glasses or contact lenses.
The results patients experience are made possible by remarkable technology advances and exclusive mathematical formulas that combine to create the Advanced CustomVue™ procedure. Eye Clinic of Austin offers these technologies that include the WaveScan WaveFront™ system that identifies and measures imperfections in a patient's eyes 25 times more precisely than standard measurements for glasses or contact lenses. The WaveScan™ System transfers the digital data to the STAR S4 IR™ Excimer Laser, which is used to perform the treatment. In addition, the Advanced CustomVue™ procedure uses FDA-approved VISX™ Iris Registration Technology, a non-contact method of aligning the treatment to the cornea, providing greater laser alignment accuracy.
For a short presentation on CustomVue™ LASIK click the CustomVue™ icon below:
VISX CustomVue™: Your Personal Best Vision
Harnessing the precision of the VISX Star S4™ Excimer Laser, the LASIK procedure reshapes the cornea, improving the eye's ability to refract light. The CustomVue procedure is an individualized laser vision correction that utilizes advanced measurement capabilities of the WaveScan® System combined with the VISX Star S4™ Excimer Laser to provide a level of precision, and customization previously unattainable. There are two types of procedures available, both painless, the traditional using a microkeratome to create a flap in the cornea followed by a series of laser pulses and the Blade-Free IntraLase Method™. The Blade-Free IntraLase Method™ uses tiny, rapid pulses of laser light to create the corneal flap without the use of the microkeratome blade.
Using the traditional method, the surgery itself begins with Dr. Henderson sliding a microkeratome across the cornea, folding back its outermost layer. The VISX Star S4™ then sends gentle pulses of ultraviolet light to reshape the cornea. This process takes approximately one minute, and is adjusted to account for serious myopia (nearsightedness), farsightedness and astigmatism. Once the cornea has been reshaped, its outermost layer is replaced. Patients usually recover very quickly from a LASIK procedure due to the cornea's extraordinary ability to heal. LASIK is performed on an outpatient basis in our office's new refractive surgery operating room and takes approximately one-half hour.
The IntraLase Method™ - Its the LASIK Advancement you've been waiting for. Find out if it's right for you.
Dr. Henderson is pleased to announce that Blade-Free LASIK is here at the Eye Clinic of Austin. No matter how ready you are for a life without lenses, having LASIK is a big decision. You want to know that you are getting the most trusted procedure available. That's exactly why the Eye Clinic of Austin offers the highly advanced IntraLase Method™. With IntraLase®, LASIK is completely blade-free, safer than ever, and proven to take more patients to 20/20 and beyond.
The IntraLase Method™ is a 100% blade-free approach to creating the corneal flap, the thin layer of tissue that Dr. Henderson folds back in order to perform your LASIK procedure. The IntraLase Method™ can only be performed using the IntraLase® FS Laser. Nearly one million procedures have been performed safely and effectively using the IntraLase Method™. This method is the most advanced technology available - and the first blade-free way to create a corneal flap. Prior to the IntraLase Method™, Dr. Henderson relied on an instrument called a microkeratome for the creation of corneal flaps. The microkeratome is a hand-held steel blade that creates a cut as it travels across the cornea. While LASIK complications are rare, when they do occur they are primarily related to the use of the microkeratome. With the IntraLase Method™, a blade never touches your eye.
Instead of using a blade, the IntraLase Method™ uses tiny, rapid pulses of laser light to create your corneal flap. Each pulse of light passes harmlessly through your cornea and forms a microscopic bubble at a specific depth and position within your eye that is determined by the doctor. The IntraLase® laser moves back and forth across your eye, creating a uniform layer of bubbles just beneath your corneal surface. Just prior to LASIK surgery, Dr. Henderson creates your corneal flap by gently separating the tissue where these bubbles have formed. The corneal flap is then folded back so that Dr. Henderson can perform your customized LASIK treatment.
The biggest difference between a corneal flap created by the blade-free IntraLase Method™ and the microkeratome is that more patients achieve vision that is 20/20 or better when their LASIK procedure is performed with the IntraLase Method™. And patients report better quality of vision overall, particularly in terms of their ability to see well in low light such as at dusk or at night. The reason for this lies in the way the IntraLase Method™ works. A microkeratome is only capable of making a single, one-dimensional cut across the cornea. As it cuts, the blade creates "drag," which can leave a rough surface after the flap is lifted. This can affect the quality of your postoperative vision. Because of the unique way in which the IntraLase Method™ creates a precisely positioned layer of bubbles just beneath the surface of your eye, it creates a smooth surface after your flap is lifted. This may translate to better vision.
Unlike the one-dimensional cut made by a blade, the IntraLase Method™ gives Dr. Henderson the ability to tailor the dimensions of your corneal flap based on what's best for your eye. Everything from the circumference of your flap to the angle of its edges can be precisely determined. This is important because everyone's eyes are shaped a little differently. Having a corneal flap that's individualized to the patient contributes to excellent postoperative vision. A corneal flap created with the IntraLase Method™ also "locks" back into position after the LASIK procedure is performed and rapidly begins to heal. Click this logo link for a quick animated IntraLase® demonstration:
Commitment of Excellence
The Eye Clinic of Austin's team under the leadership and direction of Dr. Henderson is committed to helping you decide whether LASIK is right for you. A leader in LASIK surgery since 1997, Dr. Henderson has performed thousands of refractive surgery procedures with precision and skill that produces great visual results for our patients. Our values of vision, courage, flexibility, integrity, knowledge, service, professionalism, excellence and use of state-of-the-art technology distinguishes us as Advanced Eyecare and Old Fashioned Care™. In closing, our network of ophthalmologists, optometrists and technicians are available to answer your questions as you consider the procedure. It is our goal to provide you with the best care possible. Dr. Henderson has chosen our personnel, technology and policies with thought as to what will provide you a friendly, efficient and personal atmosphere. Eye Clinic of Austin holds your satisfaction in highest regard, and we look forward to a long and happy relationship.
