Questions about Lasik Surgery

By: Dr. Alan Faulkner
Special to the Oahu Island News

Is LASIK right for me?
A preliminary screening and consultation with your surgeon is necessary and should include corneal mapping, measurement of corneal thickness, and measurement of your pupil size to ensure that your required corrections are within the safe limits. A complete eye exam should be performed. Your surgeon should discuss with you your goals and expectations as well as the risks and benefits of the procedure.

Can I finally get rid of my glasses?
It depends on your individual condition, although 100% of my patients have enjoyed significantly improved vision and have adequate vision to drive legally without glasses. When persons reach age 40, they normally begin to experience poor reading vision and may require reading glasses. Depending on the individual, this may be corrected by monovision, whereby one eye is corrected for distance and the other for close sight. Despite all the advancements in LASIK, not all people can have perfectly corrected vision and some may still require corrective lenses for certain conditions.

Does type of equipment matter?
I believe that the type of Laser is extremely important. Most surgeons use a Broad Beam Laser and I have performed many successful procedures using this equipment. I decided to equip my laser center with the LADARVision 4000. It uses a scanning small-spot laser with a laser radar tracker. The small beam, due to its Gaussian shape produces the smoothest corneal surface of any laser available in the US, is gentler to the eye, and allows a wide range of treatments to be customized for each individual. The result is high quality visual improvement. Many of the surgeons reported that side effects such as glare, halos, and poor night vision were greatly reduced or eliminated in comparison to other lasers.

LADARVision is the only excimer laser system that is fast enough to track saccadic eye movements (rapid involuntary movements) and adjust its laser to an optimal firing position. LADARVision measures the eye 4,000 times per second and adjusts the laser beam within milliseconds. During the FDA trials it tracked 100% of the eyes tested. This leads to more accurate corneal shaping. LADARVision is the only laser in the world to use an active laser radar tracker, which is why it is the only tracker with an FDA-approved claim for increased accuracy in corneal shaping.

What does all of this mean to you?
In my opinion, the LADARVision technology together with an experienced, skilled, and personable surgeon offers the highest probability for excellent results and a satisfied patient. LASIK is not a decision to take lightly, but it can greatly improve your lifestyle. For more information on Aloha Laser Vision and the LADARVision visit www.alohalasik.com and www.ladarvision.com.