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Imagine
leading an active
lifestyle free of
eyeglasses and contacts.
Imagine doing all the
things you love without
the daily hassles of
finding glasses or
cleaning contact lenses.
Imagine the money you'll
save on eyeglass frames,
contact lenses
solutions, cleaners and
the like.
You can! Thanks to LASIK
laser vision correction
at the Long Beach Laser
Center. The Long Beach
Laser Center has a
reputation for providing
patients with the latest
advances in vision
correction.
Once you've reviewed the
information below, give
us a call to schedule
your free, no obligation
consultation. You can
ask the LASIK surgeon
any questions you may
have about the various
procedures, and the
doctor can help you
decide which procedure
works best for you. The
sooner you call, the
sooner you can kiss
those glasses and
contacts good-bye.
We are pleased to offer
Wavescan Custom Cornea
mapping and
analysis.
WAVESCAN
Custom Cornea
Technology
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The
FDA approved,
Visx S4
Variable Spot
Scanning
excimer laser
provides the
most accurate
reshaping of
your eye, by
creating a
highly detailed
map, showing
your eye’s
unique focusing
abilities and
how light is
focused in
different parts
of your eye.
These subtle
variations are
known as high
order
distortions,
which account
for roughly 10%
of all optical
distortions.
This map or
“fingerprint”
of the eye is
25 times more
accurate than
what was
previously
measurable by
standard
methods.
With
this
information,
our surgeons
customize your
procedure and
provide a
vision
correction
solution as
unique as your
fingerprint.
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This technology helps
our surgeons minimize
complications, such as
night vision problems
like halos and glare,
that occur in a small
percentage of cases. It
is expanding the
horizons of vision
correction.
How the Wavescan
technology works:
The patient sits at
the Wavescan machine,
while an infrared light
is directed into the
eyes and reflects off
the retina. The Wavescan
machine computes the
light into a pattern
showing the
cornea’s
irregularities. This
information is then fed
into a computer
controlled laser and a
3D wavescan is created,
then converted into an
aberration map of 200
separate areas of the
cornea.
IntraLASIK
All Laser, No Blade
LASIK
The first step in
preparing the eye for
LASIK vision correction
surgery, may now be
safer and more precise
with the INTRALASE FS
(femtosecond) Laser and
proprietary IntraLASIK
software from IntraLase
Corp., Irvine,
California. This
combination of
technology replaces the
use of the mechanical,
metal blade
microkeratome
traditionally used in
LASIK surgery. The
all-laser approach
offers surgeons a
computer-controlled,
minimally invasive
technique that safely
and reliably creates
very precise flaps with
a more comfortable
patient experience.
The Traditional
Approach
The microkeratome, a
mechanical device which
holds a fine precision
blade, is used to create
a corneal flap.
Originally designed in
the 1950s by Professor.
José I.
Barraquér of
Colombia, a variety of
microkeratomes are now
available, all relying
upon the basic
principles of Professor
Barraquér’s
original device.
Inside the All-Laser
Technology
The INTRALASE™ FS
Laser and
IntraLASIK™
software enable surgeons
to avoid the the use of
the traditional
microkeratome in
formation of the flap.
The INTRALASE FS Laser
uses a long laser
wavelength that can be
focused to a very
precise point within the
cornea, leaving the
surface and surrounding
tissues untouched.
The INTRALASE FS Laser
uses infrared light to
precisely cut tissue by
a process called photo
disruption. The
laser’s IntraLASIK
software directs the
process, focusing the
beam via optics into a
tiny 2 to 3 micron spot
of energy. The beam
passes harmlessly
through the outer layers
of the cornea until it
reaches its exact focal
point within the stroma
(central layer of the
cornea). When it reaches
this focal point, the
beam forms a microscopic
cavitation bubble of
carbon dioxide and water
vapor. Thousands of
these bubbles are placed
at a precisely
controlled depth to
create a dissection
plane, and then the
laser beam stacks a
pattern of bubbles along
the periphery of the
plane up to the corneal
surface. An uncut
section of tissue is
preprogrammed to act as
a hinge for the newly
created corneal flap. By
utilizing this rapidly
fired femtosecond laser,
and interconnecting the
bubbles very tightly,
the surgeon may program
the laser to customize a
corneal flap with
remarkable precision and
a distinctive beveled
edge. The beveled edge
of the corneal flap
allows for a precise
realignment and seating
of the flap after
interior corneal
reshaping is
completed.
Because the low energy
pulse from the INTRALASE
FS Laser is in the
femtosecond range - a
mere quadrillionth of a
second - there is no
heat damage to
surrounding tissue. With
no transmission of shock
wave to surrounding
tissue, the femtosecond
laser is well suited for
delicate corneal
surgery.
The computer-controlled
INTRALASE FS Laser and
it’s IntraLASIK
software bring a level
of accuracy, precision,
and control to flap
creation that was
previously impossible.
With the INTRALASE FS
Laser, flaps can be made
that are very accurate
and highly consistent in
both thickness and
diameter. The IntraLASIK
software allows the
surgeon to custom design
precise corneal
resection for individual
patients.
Traditional
LASIK (LASER IN SITU
KERATOMILEUSIS)
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LASIK
(Laser In Situ
Keratomileusis)
combines the
proven
techniques of
both corneal
flap and
excimer laser
surgery,
resulting in
dramatic
results and
rapid visual
recovery. LASIK
is effective
for correcting
most cases of
nearsightedness,
farsightedness,
and
astigmatism.
LASIK
was first
performed in
the early 1990s
in Greece.
However, the
two main
components of
LASIK were
performed
separately many
years prior.
Surgeons in
South America
began
developing
corneal flap
surgery in the
1960s. Excimer
laser
correction has
been done on
the corneal
surface since
1987. LASIK
combines the
benefits of
corneal flap
surgery with
the accuracy of
the excimer
laser.
Click
Here
to View Our
Video
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The
Surgery
Experience
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Every
patient
undergoes a
comprehensive
series of eye
tests,
examinations
and
consultation
with one of our
surgeons.
During the
consultation
the patient and
surgeon discuss
and plan the
surgery that
best suits the
individual
patient.
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On the day of the
surgery, the patient is
brought to the laser
surgery suite and
positioned upon a
comfortable chair that
reclines. A mild oral
sedative is offered to
every patient. The LASIK
flap is created with
either the all Laser
IntraLASE or the
traditional
microkeratome. The flap
creation is painless and
takes about 15
seconds.
The surgeon lifts the
corneal flap and folds
it over. Next, the
surgeon uses the excimer
laser to remove
microscopic amounts of
corneal stromal tissue
to provide precise
correction of the
patients refractive
error. When the laser
portion of the procedure
is complete (usually
less than one minute),
the corneal flap is
returned to its original
position. The corneal
flap seals back into its
proper position within
minutes, and continues
to heal with increasing
strength over the next
few weeks.
What Should I Expect
After Surgery?
Visual recovery is
usually very quick after
LASIK. Most patients see
clearly within the first
24 to 48 hours. Since
LASIK does not remove
the surface layer of the
cornea (called the
epithelium) there is
more rapid healing with
minimal discomfort.
Temporary side effects
following LASIK are
generally minimal.
Patients may experience
temporary symptoms such
as slightly drier eyes
and minor increases in
light scattering. These
effects are more common
in people with very
large pupils and high
refractive corrections.
These side effects
generally diminish as
the eye heals with
time.
Other rare, but possible
complications are
discussed with all of
our patients during
their refractive
assessment
appointment.
What is an enhancement?
The majority of patients
at Long Beach Laser
Center receive their
entire refractive
correction in one
treatment session. For
the minority of patients
who do not, an
enhancement procedure is
usually possible. An
enhancement is simply a
second treatment done to
"fine tune" the results.
Enhancements are more
common in people with
higher refractive
corrections.
PRK
(Photorefractive
Keratectomy)
Previous non-candidates
may be candidates for
laser vision correction.
PRK, an early laser
treatment, was first
performed in 1987 in
Germany. It is a laser
surgical procedure
effective in correcting
low to moderate degrees
of nearsightedness and
astigmatism. PRK is
technically more simple
to perform than LASIK
because there is no
corneal flap created.
The surgeon removes a
portion of the corneas
surface cells, and uses
the excimer laser to
vaporize away
microscopic amounts of
corneal tissue. By
modifying the shape of
the cornea, light rays
are allowed to focus
correctly on the retina
to provide clear vision.
One of the biggest
limitations to PRK in
the past was the
variability in healing
which limited the range
of predictable
correction. With the
advancement of lasers as
well as the
sophistication of
treatments and
pharmaceuticals, these
problems have been
essentially solved.
Results for previous
non-candidates have been
excellent with these
revised technologies and
techniques, now called
Advanced Surface
Ablation. In certain
patients, PRK is the
procedure of choice. We
are proud to offer this
procedure as an
alternative.
Refractive
Lensectomy
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When
the lens of the
eye is removed,
it is referred
to as
lensectomy. If
the lens is
cloudy, the
lens is called
a cataract.
Removal of a
cloudy lens is
called cataract
surgery. If the
lens is clear
and removed for
refractive
correction, it
is called clear
lens extraction
or refractive
lensectomy.
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Refractive lensectomy is
the same procedure as
modern "no-stitch",
"no-needle" cataract
surgery. It changes the
eyes optics by replacing
the natural lens with a
lens implant that is
specifically chosen
based upon measurements
taken during your
preoperative assessment.
The lens implant remains
in place for your
lifetime. In the past,
the lens was usually
selected to focus
clearly for distant
objects; thus glasses
are needed for near
vision activities like
reading. Now, multi
focal options, that
provide distance for
distance and reading,
exist. Astigmatism can
also be corrected during
this procedure using a
technique called limbal
relaxing incisions. This
is a reshaping of the
cornea, performed during
the lensectomy, to
minimize astigmatism and
reduce dependence on
glasses.
Lensectomy may be an
attractive option for
people over 45 years of
age. For those
individuals above 45,
the natural ability to
focus up-close is
progressively lost.
Individuals over 55
usually do not have much
natural focusing ability
for near vision. Thus,
refractive lensectomy
may be a wise choice for
individuals above
55.
Refractive lensectomy is
a simple outpatient
procedure. In most
cases, only eye drops
are needed to numb the
eye for the surgery.
People are not "put to
sleep"; but are given
oral or intravenous
medication for comfort.
A small incision is made
in the cornea
(approximately 3 mm).
Using a special
ultrasound probe, the
lens is gently removed
in small particles.
After the natural lens
is removed, a lens
implant of appropriate
power is placed through
the incision and into
the proper location.
The surgery is usually
completed without
stitches and takes about
15 minutes.
Rezoom
Implantable Lenses for
Distance AND Reading
Vision
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As
stated above,
lensectomy can
be performed on
a clear lens
(refractive
lensectomy), or
if the lens
becomes cloudy.
When the lens
of the eye
becomes cloudy,
it is called a
cataract. If
the lens
becomes cloudy
to the degree
that vision is
impaired, the
vision may be
restored by
removing the
lens and then
implanting an
intraocular
lens. Until
recently,
traditional
implants have
only allowed
the patient to
focus at one
distance. They
were thus known
as monofocal
implants. Most
patients opted
to have their
vision
corrected for
distance with
the
understanding
that they would
wear glasses
for
reading.
Recently,
several new
intraocular
lenses have
been FDA
approved and
thus introduced
in the U.S. The
major advantage
to these new
lenses is their
ability to
allow much
better vision
at ALL
distances -
Distance,
Intermediate
and
Reading.
After
significant
research, we
have opted to
offer the AMO
multifocal
intraocular
lens,
ReZoom™.
ReZoom™
intraocular
lens is a new
refractive
multifocal
implant that
provides
cataract
patients with
greater
independence
from glasses
than
traditional
intraocular
lenses. The
ReZoom™
design provides
a range of
vision - from
far to near -
that
traditional
monofocal
lenses
typically
cannot
match.
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The ReZoom™
Balanced View
Optics™ technology
distributes light over
five optic zones so that
each lens has the
ability to focus light
over multiple plains,
thus allowing a widely
expanded range of
vision.
The ReZoom™
implantable lens is
indicated for the visual
correction of aphakia in
adult patients who have
had lensectomy and wish
to benefit from useful
near vision with
decreased dependence on
reading glasses.
We welcome frank
discussion of whether
you might be a candidate
for this fascinating and
innovative
technology.
Crystalens®
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The
result of more
than 15 years
of research and
development,
the first
generation of
the Crystalens
was given FDA
approval in
2003 and to
date, more than
40,000 lenses
have been
implanted
worldwide. The
patented
technology is
designed to
allow the lens
to move in the
eye in a manner
similar to the
natural lens.
By using the
eye's muscle to
move the lens
back and
forwards
naturally,
patients can
focus through a
continuous
range of vision
- both near and
far -
eliminating
dependence on
glasses
following
cataract
surgery.
The Crystalens
can give
reading,
arm’s
length, and
distance vision
without glasses
because this
implant
actually
adjusts its
position within
the eye as the
eye looks from
far to near,
like an
‘auto
focus’
mechanism on a
camera. Its
hinged shape
allows for this
lens movement
and gives a
seamless
transition from
far to
arm’s
Length to near
vision.
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Advantages
Most people with the
Crystalens have clear
far vision (driving) and
intermediate vision
(computer) without
glasses. Of the
available lenses that
correct for more than
one distance following
cataract surgery, the
Crystalens is most
likely to provide the
best vision for driving
at night.
Disadvantages
With the Crystalens,
some people do need
glasses for fine print,
especially in dim light.
Additionally, there is
often a ‘learning
curve’ in
re-training muscles to
focus. However, the
newest generations of
the Crystalens improve
near vision and provide
exceptional distance
vision and contrast
sensitivity for cataract
patients.
The Ideal Crystalens
Candidate
Active, young seniors
who may not mind glasses
for very fine print, but
need clear vision for
driving at night.
ReSTOR™
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Advantages
Like ReZoom,
the Alcon
Acrysof RESTOR
lens is a
non-moving lens
implant. It can
give distance
and near vision
simultaneously.
The ReSTOR lens
focuses vision
using an
“apodized
surface. This
high-tech
process gives
the lens a
gradual
blending of
focusing power
throughout the
entire lens
surface. With
ReSTOR, 97% of
patients can
see both
distance
objects (road
signs) and near
objects
(reading
material)
without
difficulty,
especially in
good light. In
dim light, the
ReSTOR lens
gives better
distance
vision.
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Disadvantages
Arm’s length vision
(the dashboard) is less
clear, and most people
will need glasses for
these kinds of tasks.
Additionally, 5% of
patients with ReSTOR do
notice significant halos
or glare around lights
at night.
The Ideal ReSTOR
Candidate
People who do not drive
at night or are not
bothered by glare.
People who spend a great
deal of time reading and
do not mind wearing
glasses for computer
use.
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