Bascom Palmer Eye Institute LASIK and Your Vision Correction
For Many Patients, the Wait is Over The Vision Correction Center at Bascom Palmer For many patients who want to see near, far and everywhere in between without eyeglasses, the wait may be over. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute offers a full spectrum of vision correction options from LASIK and CK to the newest natural lens replacement technologies. We can now treat people who, as recently as a year ago, were not suitable candidates. The number of vision correction options available grow with advancing technology; and choosing the right procedure takes careful consideration and planning. Bascom Palmer has been involved in the development of many of the technologies that are available today. This is part of the reason Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine is ranked the country s #1 eye hospital by U.S.News & World Report, and why it is continually recognized by ophthalmologists as having the nation s best clinical eye care. Your vision can now be treated with a wide range of surgical techniques that may improve vision beyond the 20/20 benchmark and eliminate the need for corrective lenses altogether. In response, Bascom Palmer established its first refractive surgery center in 1995. More than 20,000 refractive procedures have been conducted at Bascom Palmer s centers in Miami, Palm Beach Gardens and Plantation. These facilities offer the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic equipment with some of the nation s best recognized refractive surgeons. Each of Bascom Palmer s highly qualified surgeons performing refractive surgery is an ophthalmologist with fellowship training in cornea and external diseases and certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Because Bascom Palmer refractive surgeons teach various vision correction surgical techniques to ophthalmologists across the nation and participate as investigators in numerous clinical trials to continually improve the procedures, efficiencies and outcomes of vision correction surgery, we use the most up-to-date and proven techniques and technology to provide optimum results for our patients. William Culbertson, M.D.
Beyond 20/20 Custom LASIK Uses Wavefront Technology for Optimum Vision Bascom Palmer was one of only six centers in the U.S. that conducted clinical trials for Custom LASIK. This exciting procedure uses wavefront technology to provide a detailed fingerprint of the cornea, allowing for the treatment of individual optical aberrations. The results are truly amazing: in clinical studies, 98 percent of patients enjoyed 20/20 vision or better. And 70 percent attained an astounding 20/16 or better. IntraLase is a sophisticated and accurate technology for corneal flap creation that is available for patients. It improves precision and visual results of LASIK whether you choose a standard or custom procedure. The INTRALASE FS laser uses an infrared beam of light to create the flap from below the surface of the cornea using an inside-out process, virtually eliminating severe sightthreatening, blade related complications as a result. The beam of laser light is focused to a precise point within the stroma (central layer of the cornea), where a string of microscopic bubbles is formed. Terrence O Brien, M.D. Thousands of these tiny bubbles are precisely positioned to define the flap s dimensions and distinct beveled edge, as well as location of the hinge. Bubbles are then stacked along the edge of the flap up to the corneal surface to complete the flap.
An End to Your On-again, Off-again Relationship Buying your first pair of reading glasses is a well-known and unwelcome rite of passage for those in their 40s. But the new, FDA-approved Crystalens can reduce or eliminate the need to continually put on and take off your reading glasses. The Crystalens is a flexible, implantable lens that works naturally with the eye muscles to focus seamlessly on objects near, far and in between. It allows carefully selected patients in their 40s, 50s and beyond to see like young adults again. Implantable Lens is an Exciting Breakthrough for People Too Nearsighted for LASIK Even with the advent of wavefront technology, not everyone is a candidate for LASIK. Some people are simply too nearsighted. But this no longer means they are ineligible for refractive surgery. The Verisyse Phakic Intraocular Lens (IOL) is FDA-approved to reduce or eliminate nearsightedness. The Verisyse IOL may also be suitable for patients whose corneas are too thin to undergo the reshaping that is integral to LASIK. Although the Verisyse implant employs techniques associated with cataract surgery, there is one key difference. Whereas the patient's natural lens is removed during cataract surgery, it is left intact during Verisyse implantation. Consequently, the procedure is reversible. Kendall Donaldson, M.D., M.S. David Goldman, M.D.
Who is a good candidate for vision correction surgery? Patients who have reasonable expectations from the procedure and who understand that any surgical procedure always has some risks are the best candidates for the procedure. Patients may not be candidates if they have certain corneal diseases or collagen vascular diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or significant problems with wound healing. Women who are pregnant or nursing are not candidates. Lastly, it is important to have stable refraction. A complete evaluation will determine if you are a good candidate for a vision correction procedure. During this evaluation you are given further information about the surgery and have the opportunity to have your questions answered as well as view the facility. Since vision correction surgery is a permanent surgery, it requires careful consideration, understanding, and planning by you and your physician. Both medical and lifestyle factors should be considered in deciding whether to undergo surgery for laser vision correction. The primary medical considerations are: Your general health and that of your eyes Amount of correction required Shape and thickness of your cornea Pupil diameter in the dark Sonia Yoo, M.D. Good candidates include: Patients over age 18 Those with no prescription change in glasses or contact lenses for 1 2 years Individuals who do not like or cannot tolerate glasses or contact lenses Individuals involved in sports or jobs where contact lenses or glasses are inconvenient or interfere (such as fire fighting, skiing, tennis, etc.) Carol L. Karp, M.D.
What kind of results can be expected? Thanks to the evolution of modern technology, surgical vision correction is now possible in most patients either as a primary procedure or during the course of cataract surgery. And, as technology continues to evolve, patients have the clear advantage, often finding they no longer need to wear glasses or contact lenses for vision correction. Bascom Palmer s vision correction facilities are state-of-the-art with the most technologically advanced equipment to make procedures as safe and effective as possible. For more than 40 years, Bascom Palmer surgeons have exemplified ophthalmic excellence, pioneering many of the laser techniques being used today. These advances have allowed thousands of patients to eliminate or decrease their dependence on glasses or contact lenses and never look back. Refractive surgery includes several elective procedures that may reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. Anyone considering vision correction surgery should learn as much as possible about the procedures. Laser vision correction is popular, but is not right for everyone. It is a very personal and important decision. Patients should have realistic expectations based on their individual conditions. Each individual should weigh the advantages, disadvantages, complications, and options before deciding upon surgery. Your ophthalmologist can determine if you are a good candidate for vision correction surgery only after a consultation and full examination. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is proud to be ranked #1 in Ophthalmology by U.S. News & World Report. If you are considering LASIK or other refractive surgery, call today for an evaluation or visit our website www.bascompalmer.org In Miami 305-326-6575 In Palm Beach 561-515-1525 In Plantation 954-465-2700 Toll Free 877-GO-LASIK
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (800) 329-7000 LASIK: (877) GO-LASIK www.bascompalmer.org Miami 900 N.W. 17 Street, Miami, FL 33136 (305) 326-6000 LASIK: (305) 326-6575 Palm Beach Gardens 7101 Fairway Drive, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 (561) 515-1500 LASIK: (561) 515-1525 Naples 311 Ninth Street North, Naples, FL 34102 (239) 659-3937 Plantation 1000 South Pine Island Road, Plantation, FL 33324 (954) 465-2700 LASIK: (954) 465-2700 6/10