Lasik

Dr. Bentz uses the CustomVue VISX STAR S4 with “True” Wavefront Technology

The current generation of laser vision correction (LVC) is a lot more than simply customized wavefront ablation. The VISX excimer laser platform system includes multifactorial advances that create optimal outcomes for today’s LVC patients.

The CustomVue platform has at least five meaningful advances in addition to Wavefront customization that enhance clinical outcomes. These exciting advances include:

• The Use of Fourier Analysis
• Variable Spot Scanning
• Enlarged Optical Zone Options
• Improved Blend Zones
• Pupil Centroid Shift Compensation

Technology is advancing at an amazing and exciting rate. There has been much discussion in the field of Ophthalmology concerning the merits of wavefront customized LASIK versus wavefront optimized LASIK versus conventional LASIK. Yet these discussions are becoming outdated and irrelevant given the fact that only wavefront guided Custom treatment offers these other significant platform advances.

In short, the current generation of the VISX Star S4 Excimer laser includes many more benefits than just the addition of a wavefront analyzer. These added elements allow our surgeon to give patients the best possible outcomes for laser vision correction today.

Wavefront technology was originally developed to help reduce distortions when viewing distant objects in space. Today, it is revolutionizing the refractive surgery industry. This technology is incorporated into the Wavescan diagnostic system which allows our doctor to now identify, measure and correct imperfections in a patient’s eyes 25 times more precisely than with the standard methods used for glasses and contact lenses.

This is “true” Wavefront guided LASIK, unlike the imitation Wavefront “optimized” Allegretto laser system that simply averages treatments to other patients by only steepening the side of the cornea and not actually correcting higher order aberrations. It does not capture the true fingerprint of the eye and treat it like the VISX CustomVue Technology.

Using Wavefront LASIK technology in conjunction with the Star S4 laser system, Doctor Bentz can take the digital information gathered by the Wavescan and develop an individualized treatment plan that can be transferred directly to the laser for a precise “high-definition” vision correction never before possible.

To use the VISX STAR S4 laser, the surgeon must become VISX certified which requires a thorough training process. Doctor Bentz is VISX certified. More people in the US have been treated with the "gold standard" VISX laser than all others put together. This laser is the most trusted laser vision correction technology, chosen by more ophthalmologists than all other lasers combined.

Bladeless Eye Surgery

Step one of LASIK surgery is the creation of the corneal flap. This step can be performed with or without a blade. Bladeless eye surgery is a more precise and safer method for creating the corneal flap. Every cornea is different and every corneal flap is different as well. But there are certain characteristics that every flap must have, including precise diameter, centration, and thickness. The use of the Zeimer laser allows Dr. Bentz to create the perfect corneal flap.

The use of the femtosecond laser in the field of Ophthalmology was developed by a team of Physicists, Biomedical Engineers and Ophthalmologists at the Center for Ultra fast Optical Sciences and the Kellogg Eye Center of the University of Michigan. The laser uses an infrared beam of light to precisely separate tissue through a process called photo disruption. In this process, the focused laser pulses divide material at the molecular level without the transfer of heat or impact to the surrounding tissue.

The use of femtolaser surgery has convincing clinical advantages. These include smooth surface of stromal bed and smooth edges for optimal flap closure. Additionally, the femtolaser creates thin flaps of even thickness and rapid healing with excellent visual outcomes.

Ziemer's FEMTO LDV has become the technology leader among all femto second lasers. This laser is 10 to 100 times faster than any other femto laser, it has the smallest spot size, the lowest pulse energy, and the smoothest, most precise, easiest to lift flaps.

The Ziemer laser creates a flap of precise size, shape, and depth. To achieve such precision, Dr. Bentz uses the laser to rapidly separate micro-thin layers of the cornea as he creates a self-sealing flap. It is all part of an efficient process that helps to assure you that the first step of LASIK eye surgery will be accurate, safe, and a first step toward giving you the best LASIK result possible.

Surface Treatment or “no flap” treatment (PRK)

Some potential laser vision correction candidates may not be well suited for LASIK, ( with the protective flap). For example, patients who are exposed to frequent facial trauma, such as a professional boxer should not under go LASIK , because the flap can be disturbed in the event of a serious eye injury. Patients with a history of radial keratotomy surgery, patients with a thinner than average cornea, patients with an unhealthy cornea surface, or patients with an atypical corneal shape may not be well suited for LASIK for medical reasons. For those patients who are not good candidates for LASIK, surface treatment technique may be the better alternative.

Surface treatment is sometimes referred to as photo-refractive keratectomy (PRK). In this technique, the surface of the cornea (the epithelium) is first removed and then the excimer laser is applied to reshape or sculpt the cornea from the top downwards, rather than under a protective flap. The epithelium is like a veneer covering of the cornea. After the treatment, the recovery is somewhat prolonged, because the healing of the surface (or regeneration of new epithelium) is a slow process that can take several days for the initial phase and several weeks for final phase.

Most patients can return to normal visual activities in about five to seven days after the procedure. Because everyone heals differently, it can take several weeks to months to achieve the final visual outcome. The main difference between surface treatment and LASIK is that surface treatment has a slower visual recovery and involves more discomfort in the immediate post-op interval than LASIK. After surface treatment, patients are provided additional medications and instructions to reduce discomfort and facilitate recovery.

LASIK patients, rather than surface treatment patients, are more rapidly satisfied with their results. However, the final visual results of either procedure are identical. Surface treatment has been demonstrated to provide a safe and effective alternative to LASIK, for those patients who are not suitable candidates for LASIK.

Steps of a LASIK Procedure

Step 1: Initial Consultation

In order to determine if you are a candidate, we invite you to visit us for a complimentary laser vision correction consultation. At this consultation, our staff will conduct some standard pre-op screening tests including corneal topography, corneal thickness, pupil size and computerized wave scan to determine which procedure will best suit your needs. You will also meet with Doctor Bentz, who will review all testing results and determine which procedure will best meet your needs.

Step 2: Dilated Eye Exam

The next step will be an informed consent session and dilated eye exam with complete measurements. These are specialized preoperative tests, which will be interpreted and discussed with you by Dr. Bentz. We will provide all necessary information needed for you to make an informed decision concerning your laser vision correction procedure. We do require a deposit at this time, which will be deducted from the total cost of the procedure on the day of your surgery.

Step 3: LASIK Procedure

Following your measurement examination, a surgical date will be scheduled. We are proud to announce that we offer our patients the most advanced VISX technology available today-the VISX Star S4 laser with three-dimensional eye tracking. In addition to the S4 laser, we utilize the WaveScan mapping system, which allows us to take measurements 25 times more precise than the standard measurements utilized in prescribing glasses and contact lenses. Having the most advanced VISX laser system allows us to offer the latest breakthrough in LASIK: CustomVue Individualized Laser Vision Correction. Your laser vision correction procedure will be performed in our state licensed and accredited outpatient surgery center. Dr. Bentz performs LASIK surgery weekly on Friday.

Please remember if you are currently wearing contact lenses, you will need to discontinue wearing them 2 weeks prior to surgery. The removal of your contacts is imperative to your outcome, as contact lenses alter the shape of your cornea.

LASIK Side Effects

LASIK is normally a very successful surgery. However, there are side effects that you should understand.

Eye Bruises or Redness- Surface bruises or redness of the eye may occur, as a result of application of the suction ring, when creating the flap. This is of cosmetic nature only and has no bearing on visual outcome. This will typically resolve in about a week without treatment.

Dry Eye or Dryness- Dryness of the surface of the eye or dry-eye feeling may occur after LASIK due to what most Ophthalmologist believe is a diminished blink reflex, due to reduced corneal sensation. These symptoms are generally temporary in nature and usually respond to frequent instillation of artificial tears.
Night Glare or Halos- Patients may experience temporary night glare or halos after LASIK. This condition typically occurs in patients who already experience some of these symptoms prior to LASIK.

In our experience, it is extremely rare for night glare, halos or diminished night vision to persist. Pre-existing large pupils may contribute to these symptoms. We make special effort to screen patients, pre-op, for these predisposing factors and inform patients of these potential side effects. We will use appropriate treatment options now available to eliminate or reduce night vision symptoms with the latest “true” Wavefront guided VISX CustomVue Excimer laser.