Treatment Alternatives
The Cornea and Laser Eye Institute-Hersh Vision Group has extensive experience in
the complete range of the many available procedures and technologies to treat refractive disorders of the eye.
Led by Dr. Peter Hersh, it is one of a few centers in the country chosen to participate in
nationwide clinical studies of the excimer laser and other new technologies. Some of these studies
have led to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA)
approval of the laser to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
At the Cornea and Laser Eye Institute, vision correction candidates undergo a comprehensive and lengthy evaluation using sophisticated technologies to optimize results and eliminate patients with chances of a poor outcome. Using this evaluation, your individual needs can be matched to the proper procedure and laser technology to achieve the safest and best outcome.
Patient view of laser
fixating on the green light within the red area
Laser In Situ Keratomilieusis (LASIK)
The excimer laser produces a beam of light in which high energy is
concentrated. The laser meticulously removes small amounts of tissue from
the cornea. This reshapes the corneal surface, allowing it
to better focus the image on the retina, with the goal of reducing a
patient's reliance on eyeglasses or contact lenses. In LASIK, the laser treatment is performed
under a thin "flap" of the cornea. This differs from the LASEK/PRK procedure in which the laser
treatment is performed on the surface of the cornea after the surface
epithelial cells are removed. Vision returns more quickly after LASIK and it is more comfortable during the healing period.
LADARVision Scanning Laser (LADARVision)
The LADARVision scanning laser is the latest state-of-the-art excimer laser system, designed with custom LASIK procedures in mind.
The LADARVision system uses a very small laser beam of less than 1 mm to
shape the cornea. This beam is moved rapidly across the corneal surface in
a computer-controlled pattern of tiny overlapping spots. In addition, by
measuring and correcting all eye movements during the laser procedure, the
LADARVision system maintains accurate placement of the laser beam which provides additional control.
All-Laser LASIK (Intralase)
The Intralase laser is a new technology used to perform the first step in LASIK - the preparation of the corneal flap. Taking advantage of an advanced laser technique using a very short pulse, high speed femtosecond laser, the Intralase creates the flap in a uniquely precise mannner.
The Intralase laser places over a million microscopic, low energy spots which split the cornea layers to prepare the flap to meticulous specifications with unsurpassed safety.
Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis/Photorefractive Keratectomy (LASEK/PRK)
In this excimer laser procedure, the surface of the cornea is reshaped after the surface epithelial
cells are removed. This differs from LASIK, in which the laser is applied beneath
a corneal "flap". Otherwise, the laser treatment is the same. Similarly, the goal of LASEK/PRK is to reduce a
patient's reliance on eyeglasses or contact lenses. LASEK/PRK may be advantageous in patient's with thin corneas or corneal surface problems.
Near Vision Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)
A new technique called Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) has been recently approved by the FDA to correct farsightedness and improve reading vision. Dr. Peter Hersh, Director of the Institute, presented the study results to the FDA ophthalmic devices panel in
November, 2001. The goal of CK is to reduce the dependency of farsighted people on glasses and contact lenses for both reading and distance vision. Conductive keratoplasty uses a high frequency, low power energy source to deliver electrical energy to the outer portion of the cornea (the clear front of the eye). The treatment spots are placed in a circular pattern to reshape the tissue. This steepens the cornea's optical surface to better focus light and treat farsightedness.
Phototherapeutic Keratectomy (PTK)
The phototherapeutic keratectomy procedure (PTK) uses the excimer laser to
treat patients with corneal disorders, such as scarring, dystrophies,
degenerations, and surface irregularities.
Intacs
This is non-laser procedure which
may be helpful for patients with keratoconus or corneal optical
irregularities after other surgeries. Intacs were originally FDA-approved
to correct low degrees of nearsightedness.
Corneal Transplantation
The Cornea and Laser Eye Institute is one of only a few centers in the
region with specialized expertise in corneal transplantation. The
goal of corneal transplantation is to restore sight to a patient whose
cornea has been damaged by disease, injury, or inborn problems.
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