We are pleased that you are interested in the new procedures now available to correct
nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and reading vision. On this website, we hope to give you a thorough
background of knowledge
on the various techniques that are designed to decrease your dependency on glasses and contact lenses.
Keep in mind that this is not an informed consent form. During your visits to us, our doctors and staff will discuss the details
of the various procedures, fully review the risks and benefits, discuss alternatives, and answer all of your questions.
The excimer laser is the primary technology for the treatment
of refractive errors or optical problems of the eye, including nearsightedness,
farsightedness, and astigmatism. It has advanced over the past 15 years to bring us the state-of-the-art surgical
procedures which we have today. In fact, CLEI and Dr. Peter Hersh played an important part in the original
clinical studies of the laser for the correction of nearsightedness. Dr. Hersh helped analyse and present data to
the FDA and was lead author of the clinical study that led to first FDA approval
of the excimer laser in the United States.
The excimer laser
is a "cold" laser that is able to meticulously remove fine layers of tissue from the
surface of the cornea. Excimer laser techniques may be used to
reshape the cornea and correct refractive problems in a finely-controlled fashion by removing an ultrathin "tissue
contact lens" from the surface of the eye.
The excimer laser can be used in either the LASIK, LASEK, or PRK techniques. No matter
the method used to prepare the eye, however, the laser treatment and effect is essentially the same.
Under computer control, the excimer laser critically reshapes
microscopic areas of the corneal surface. Layers of tissue thinner
than a human hair may be removed. There are two general
types of excimer lasers. The small spot scanning, or flying
spot, systems such as the Wavelight laser reshape the cornea
by computer controlled application of thousands of small spots, each less than 1
mm in diameter. Broad beam lasers, such as the Summit Apex Plus or VisX, do this by the application
of a wider beam (up to 6.5 mm). No matter the technique, by reshaping or
sculpting the cornea surface, the excimer laser procedure is designed to improve natural vision
without glasses or contact lenses.
The risks and benefits of the excimer laser procedure are discussed in more detail in the
informed consent form and will be carefully discussed with you by the doctor and our staff.
All patients should read the Patient Information booklet and our other educational materials provided by CLEI.
The Cornea and Laser Eye Institute - Hersh Vision Institute has one of the longest and most extensive experiences with the excimer laser in the
country. CLEI is one of only a few institutions in the United States designated by the Food and
Drug Administration to conduct clinical trials of the laser and has been doing the procedures for many years.
Please feel free to inquire about more information to determine what is best for your specific needs.
In depth articles and studies:
Introduction to the Excimer Laser
Results of FDA Trial of Laser Correction of Nearsightedness
PRK and LASIK
LASIK Retreatments
Excimer Laser Phototherapeutic Keratectomy
