LASIK and Your Vision Correction

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
LASIK and Your
Vision Correction
For Many Patients,
the Wait is Over
The Vision Correction
Center at Bascom Palmer
For many patients who want to see near, far and
everywhere in between without eyeglasses, the
wait may be over. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
offers a full spectrum of vision correction options
from LASIK and CK to the newest natural lens
replacement technologies. We can now treat
people who, as recently as a year ago, were not
suitable candidates.
Your vision can now be treated with a wide
range of surgical techniques that may improve
vision beyond the 20/20 benchmark and
eliminate the need for corrective lenses
altogether.
The number of vision correction options
available grow with advancing technology; and
choosing the right procedure takes careful
consideration and planning. Bascom Palmer has
been involved in the development of many of the
technologies that are available today. This is
part of the reason Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
of the University of Miami Miller School of
Medicine is ranked the country’s #1 eye hospital
by U.S.News & World Report, and why it is
continually recognized by ophthalmologists as
having the nation’s best clinical eye care.
William Culbertson, M.D.
In response, Bascom Palmer established its first
refractive surgery center in 1995. More than
20,000 refractive procedures have been
conducted at Bascom Palmer’s centers in Miami,
Palm Beach Gardens and Plantation. These
facilities offer the most advanced diagnostic and
therapeutic equipment with some of the nation’s
best recognized refractive surgeons.
Each of Bascom Palmer’s highly qualified
surgeons performing refractive surgery is an
ophthalmologist with fellowship training in cornea
and external diseases and certified by the
American Board of Ophthalmology. Because
Bascom Palmer refractive surgeons teach
various vision correction surgical techniques to
ophthalmologists across the nation and
participate as investigators in numerous clinical
trials to continually improve the procedures,
efficiencies and outcomes of vision correction
surgery, we use the most up-to-date and proven
techniques and technology to provide optimum
results for our patients.
Beyond 20/20
Custom LASIK Uses Wavefront
Technology for Optimum Vision
Bascom Palmer was one of only six centers in
the U.S. that conducted clinical trials for Custom
LASIK. This exciting procedure uses wavefront
technology to provide a detailed “fingerprint” of
the cornea, allowing for the treatment of
individual optical aberrations. The results are
truly amazing: in clinical studies, 98 percent of
patients enjoyed 20/20 vision or better. And 70
percent attained an astounding 20/16 or better.
IntraLase is a sophisticated and accurate
technology for corneal flap creation that is
available for patients. It improves precision and
visual results of LASIK whether you choose a
standard or custom procedure.
The INTRALASE® FS
laser uses an
infrared beam of
light to create the
flap from below the
surface of the
cornea using an
“inside-out” process,
virtually eliminating
severe sightthreatening, blade
related complications
as a result.
The beam of laser
light is focused to
a precise point
within the stroma
(central layer of
the cornea), where
a string of
microscopic
bubbles is formed.
Terrence O’Brien, M.D.
Thousands of
these tiny
bubbles are
precisely
positioned to
define the
flap’s
dimensions and
distinct beveled
edge, as well as
location of the
hinge. Bubbles are
then stacked
along the edge of
the flap up to the corneal surface to complete the flap.
An End to Your On-again,
Off-again Relationship
Buying your first pair of reading glasses is a
well-known and unwelcome rite of passage for
those in their 40s. But the new, FDA-approved
Crystalens can reduce or eliminate the need to
continually put on and take off your reading
glasses.
The Crystalens is a flexible, implantable lens
that works naturally with the eye muscles to
focus seamlessly on objects near, far and in
between. It allows carefully selected patients in
their 40s, 50s and beyond to see like young
adults again.
Implantable Lens is an Exciting
Breakthrough for People
Too Nearsighted for LASIK
Even with the advent of wavefront technology,
not everyone is a candidate for LASIK. Some
people are simply too nearsighted. But this no
longer means they are ineligible for refractive
surgery.
The Verisyse Phakic Intraocular Lens (IOL) is
FDA-approved to reduce or eliminate
nearsightedness. The Verisyse IOL may also be
suitable for patients whose corneas are too thin
to undergo the reshaping that is integral to
LASIK. Although the Verisyse implant employs
techniques associated with cataract surgery,
there is one key difference. Whereas the
patient's natural lens is removed during cataract
surgery, it is left intact during Verisyse
implantation. Consequently, the procedure is
reversible.
Kendall Donaldson, M.D., M.S.
David Goldman, M.D.
Who is a good candidate for
vision correction surgery?
Patients who have reasonable expectations from
the procedure and who understand that any
surgical procedure always has some risks are the
best candidates for the procedure. Patients may
not be candidates if they have certain corneal
diseases or collagen vascular diseases, such as
rheumatoid arthritis, or significant problems with
wound healing. Women who are pregnant or
nursing are not candidates. Lastly, it is important to
have stable refraction.
A complete evaluation will determine if you
are a good candidate for a vision correction
procedure. During this evaluation you are given
further information about the surgery and have
the opportunity to have your questions answered
as well as view the facility. Since vision
correction surgery is a permanent surgery, it
requires careful consideration, understanding,
and planning by you and your physician.
Both medical and lifestyle factors should be
considered in deciding whether to undergo
surgery for laser vision correction.
The primary medical considerations are:




Your general health and that of your eyes
Amount of correction required
Shape and thickness of your cornea
Pupil diameter in the dark
Sonia Yoo, M.D.
Good candidates include:
Patients over age 18
Those with no prescription change in
glasses or contact lenses for 1 – 2 years
Individuals who do not like or cannot
tolerate glasses or contact lenses
Individuals involved in sports or jobs where
contact lenses or glasses are inconvenient or
interfere (such as fire fighting, skiing, tennis, etc.)
Carol L. Karp, M.D.
What kind of results can be expected?
Thanks to the evolution of modern technology,
surgical vision correction is now possible in most
patients either as a primary procedure or during
the course of cataract surgery. And, as
technology continues to evolve, patients have
the clear advantage, often finding they no longer
need to wear glasses or contact lenses for vision
correction.
Bascom Palmer’s vision correction facilities are
state-of-the-art with the most technologically
advanced equipment to make procedures as
safe and effective as possible. For more than
40 years, Bascom Palmer surgeons have
exemplified ophthalmic excellence, pioneering
many of the laser techniques being used today.
These advances have allowed thousands of
patients to eliminate or decrease their
dependence on glasses or contact lenses and
never look back.
Bascom Palmer
Eye Institute
is proud to be
ranked #1 in
Ophthalmology
by U.S. News &
World Report.
Refractive surgery includes several elective
procedures that may reduce or eliminate
the need for glasses or contact lenses.
Anyone considering vision correction
surgery should learn as much as possible
about the procedures.
Laser vision correction is popular,
but is not right for everyone. It is a very
personal and important decision. Patients
should have realistic expectations based
on their individual conditions. Each
individual should weigh the advantages,
disadvantages, complications, and options
before deciding upon surgery.
Your ophthalmologist can determine if you
are a good candidate for vision correction
surgery only after a consultation and full
examination.
If you are
considering
LASIK or other
refractive surgery,
call today for
an evaluation or
visit our website
In Miami
305-326-6575
In Palm Beach
www.bascompalmer.org 561-515-1525
In Plantation
954-465-2700
Toll Free
877-GO-LASIK
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
(800) 329-7000 • LASIK: (877) GO-LASIK
www.bascompalmer.org
Miami
900 N.W. 17 Street, Miami, FL 33136
(305) 326-6000 • LASIK: (305) 326-6575
Palm Beach Gardens
7101 Fairway Drive, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
(561) 515-1500 • LASIK: (561) 515-1525
Naples
311 Ninth Street North, Naples, FL 34102
(239) 659-3937
Plantation
1000 South Pine Island Road, Plantation, FL 33324
(954) 465-2700 • LASIK: (954) 465-2700
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