Custom-LASIK and Custom-PRK: No two eyes are alike, and like your DNA or fingerprint, your vision is unique. For hundreds of years, glasses have been used to correct vision by eliminating one or more of the three basic elements of blurring; nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. However, advances in optics have demonstrated that these three basic elements are only part of the picture. There are tiny imperfections or distortions in every eye, even when the perfect glasses or contact prescription is used. To understand this further, imagine two people who visit the eye doctor and obtain exactly the same glasses prescription. Using standard laser correction, those two individuals would be treated with exactly the same laser treatment plan, despite the fact that their eyes each have a unique set of naturally occurring tiny imperfections and distortions. And while we have achieved excellent results by treating only these three basic elements (nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism), we can now offer even more.
Dell Laser Consultants offers the technological advantage of Custom wavefront guided laser vision correction. Custom laser correction involves a diagnostic device that maps the entire optical path of your eye, including the tiny distortions and imperfections naturally present all eyes. This is effectively a unique "fingerprint of your vision," and provides us with extremely precise and detailed information about your vision. The technology involved is highly complex, and it is based upon mathematical techniques used to improve the performance and image quality of deep space telescopes. This customized unique map of your eye is then loaded into the computer of the excimer laser which generates a wavefront customized treatment appropriate for the individual "fingerprint" of your eye.
Results of an FDA clinical trial of this technology demonstrated that an incredible 94% of patients treated were able to see 20/20 or better without glasses. Four times as many people in the trial were very satisfied with their night vision after LASIK, compared to their night vision before with glasses or contacts. These results are superior to those obtained with standard laser correction, and the dramatic improvement in night vision may be the greatest single advantage of Custom laser correction. Custom correction can be applied to both LASIK and PRK treatment.
You are probably already familiar with one application of wavefront guided optical technology. In December, 1993 Space Shuttle Mission STS-61 installed the COSTAR (Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement) upgrade to the Hubble Space telescope to correct a spherical aberration in the lens system of the telescope. Spherical aberration is one of the main phenomena corrected by Custom wavefront guided laser correction.
Perhaps the most valuable possession a person has is eyesight. Without it life is perceived as difficult, dull and at times unsafe. This is not to say that a person who cannot see is doomed to an unfulfilling life, but certainly challenges await those with less than perfect vision.
Fortunately technology has advanced enough to combat vision problems and even correct various degrees of sight-impairment. Gone are the days when the only cure for near-sightedness was a pair of glasses. Instead, people are taking advantage of laser surgeries that permanently change the eye so that glasses, contacts and other forms of sight correction are literally out of sight.
Laser surgery is a refractive technology that reverses the effects of refractive errors in the eye. Three main refractive errors exist, each with different defining characteristics:
Finally, Astigmatism is a disruption of vision caused by distortions within the cornea, or lens of the eye.
Various combinations of the three refractive errors cause an array of vision problems. In laser surgery, corneal tissue is removed so that the eye focuses in a new way. The permanency of laser surgery ensures that external corrective lenses are no longer required.
There are three main types of laser, or refractive, technologies: Radial Keratotomy or RK and Photorefractive Keratectomy or PRK and Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis or LASIK.
Radial Keratotomy (RK) is used to decrease near-sightedness through a series of specific incisions in the cornea. The number and location of the radial cuts are determined by the level of near-sightedness. As incisions are made with a highly precise diamond blade the cornea begins to flatten out. This process allows the focal point of the eye to be closer to the retina, thus reducing poor distant vision.
Radial Keratotomy was originally developed in the 1970’s by Russian ophthalmologists and its first uses in the United States were in 1978 and based on the Russian techniques. Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the predictability and safety of this form of surgery and improvements continue to be made, particularly in regard to the type of blade used for making incisions.
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) is used to treat myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism through the use of an Eximer laser. An extensive screening procedure is conducted prior to the PRK surgery. Contact lens wearers are asked to stop wearing contacts for 3 days to 3 weeks prior to evaluation depending on the type of contact worn. One or two refractions are then performed. These refractions show the ophthalmologist what level of correction is needed during surgery.
Once back-to-back refractions are equal the doctor will perform a corneal topography to rule out any eye issues such as keratoconus and irregular astigmatism. During the surgery, the surface corneal cells are removed and a computer-driven laser delivers a treatment based on the refractive error previously determined. In PRK the corneal cells must heal post-operatively and the healing process takes longer than LASIK surgery.
Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is also used for treating the three main refractive problems. During LASIK a special knife called a microkeratome is used to cut a flap in the cornea. Pulses from a computerized laser vaporize portions of the underlying stroma and the flap is replaced. LASIK is thought to be safer than PRK due to less risk of scarring and infection.
Laser Surgery: To Have or Not to Have
Undergoing any laser surgery to correct a vision problem requires serious consideration. Make sure you realize the risks involved and that your physician has had significant credible experience. Do not go through with treatment if you feel uncomfortable with how your doctor conducts his pre-operative examinations or if you have any unanswered questions. Since laser surgery is permanent it is essential to know that you are getting yourself into. After all, they don’t say hindsight is 20-20 for no reason!
Article contributed by Ellie Loveman
LASIK Eye Surgery in Austin Texas
Steven Dell, MD
Steven J. Dell, M. D. is an internationally recognized leader in refractive surgery. In a profession where many claim this level of distinction, Dr. Dell is truly the genuine article. In fact, in 2005 Dr. Dell was elected by the worldwide physician readership of the medical journal "Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today" as one of the Top Fifty Opinion Leaders in Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
Dr. Dell is an award winning lecturer, textbook author and researcher. He has been a featured lectured at major refractive surgery meetings around the world, and his patented surgical instruments and medical devices are used by hundreds of surgeons. In 1999, Dr. Dell was honored as a VISX Star Surgeon, an award given only to the top surgeons in the United States. In 2004, Dr. Dell was named one of America's Top Ophthalmologists for the second year in a row by the Consumers' Research Council of America.
Dr. Dell's research for the F.D.A. has helped bring new excimer laser treatment approvals to the U.S., and his continued work in the development and refinement of new surgical instruments and devices has been the subject of numerous articles and lectures. He serves on the editorial boards of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today, and The Video Journal of Ophthalmology. He is also a member of the Refractive Committee of the American Society of Refractive and Cataract Surgery, the largest organization of its kind.
Dr. Dell has a strong commitment to education, and sponsors a popular externship where student eye doctors can observe his surgical techniques. Dozens of externs have traveled to Austin to take advantage of this opportunity. He has also personally trained several hundred eye surgeons from around the country in his surgical techniques. In fact, if your eye doctor practices in Austin, odds are high that your doctor trained with Dr. Dell. And while you will often see observers following Dr. Dell in surgery and in the office, you can rest assured that every single surgical procedure in personally performed by Dr. Dell.
Eye doctors have unique inside knowledge of the capabilities of all the surgeons in the Austin area. Perhaps it comes as no surprise that more Central Texas eye doctors have chosen Dr. Dell for their own eye surgery than any other surgeon. Dr. Dell has also operated on a variety of other physicians, current and former professional athletes, nationally known celebrities and politicians.
While anyone can claim to have the best technology in the world, there is simply no way that you as a patient can sort through the various claims. You can be assured however that Dr. Dell is at the leading edge of his profession, and will always offer the very latest and best technology available for laser vision correction. He currently uses several different excimer laser systems, and selects the best attributes of each system for the individual needs of the patient.
Dr. Dell is a Board Certified member of the American Board of Ophthalmology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. He is the inventor of the Dell Astigmatism Marker™, the Dell Fixation Ring™, the Dell PlumeSafe Ophthalmic Evacuation System™ and the Dell PlumeSafe Handpiece™. He works closely with a variety of ophthalmic companies in the development of new products and technologies, and serves as a consultant to several major companies in the industry.
Dr. Dell holds a faculty position as Clinical Instructor in Ophthalmology at Tulane University in New Orleans, and is Co-Director of Refractive and Corneal Surgery at Texan Eye Care in Austin.
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Interesting plastic surgery and health facts about Austin
Austin, frequently referred to as the gateway to the Texas hill country, is blessed with 300 days of sunshine per year. Considered the trendiest city in Texas and home of many high-tech companies including Dell Computers.
