Patients are curious about what happens during LASIK surgery.
Dr. Moran knows that a well-informed patient makes the best medical decisions. Understanding what happens during LASIK can lead to a more calm and comfortable experience. We’ve highlighted the most commonly asked questions about all-laser LASIK with Intralase. The best way to find out if you are a candidate for this vision correction procedure, is to come in for a free one-hour consult appointment.
LASIK vision correction is a 2-step process.
First, we create the flap in the surface of the cornea.
Second, we lift the flap and apply laser treatment to reshape the corneal tissue.
What is Intralase?
A: The IntraLase Method uses laser light to create a flap in the outer layer of your cornea. The laser creates an even layer of microscopic bubbles under the corneal surface. The flap is hinged, like the page of a book. Dr. Moran then lifts the flap by gently separating the tissue where these bubbles have formed. After the flap is lifted, Dr. Moran moves to the second step of the procedure, applying the laser treatment to reshape the corneasisipisi.ccsisipisi.ccsisipisi.ccsisipisi.cc.
What makes using Intralase technology unique?
A: The IntraLase Method uses a laser to create the flap. This laser-guided application creates a smooth even surface after your flap is lifted.
Are there benefits to using the Intralase Method?
A: Although the risk of flap-related complications with LASIK is very low, with Intralase, the rate of flap complications are further reduced. The flap created by the laser is determined and created by your surgeon, so it is tailored to the contours of your eye.
How long does LASIK surgery take?
A: The total time in the surgery suite takes about 20 minutes. During step 1 of the procedure, creating the flap, the laser application takes about 15-20 seconds per eye. Step 2 of the procedure, applying the laser treatment, depends on your prescription. It can take from just a few seconds, to about one minute per eye. Dr. Moran will let you know the length of your specific treatment. During the laser application, he will count down the seconds, so you know how much time remains. He keeps you informed about what you can expect, every step of the way.
What is the difference between LASIK and PRK (photorefractive keratectomy)?
A: PRK vision correction is done without creating a flap. Instead, PRK starts by removing a small area of tissue on the surface of the cornea. A clear contact lens is placed on the eye after PRK surgery, to aid in comfort while healing. Dr. Moran will remove the contact lens when the cornea is healed, usually about 3 days after surgery. The recovery time for PRK is longer than LASIK. With LASIK you should be able to drive the day after surgery, while after PRK surgery, you may not see clearly enough to drive for a few days. Why do patients choose PRK? PRK is an option for patients who may not be able to have LASIK due to thinner corneas. PRK is also preferred for patients who are at risk for eye injuries, including patients who do boxing, mixed martial arts, or who are joining certain levels of the military.
Dr. Moran was recently published in Lehigh County Health & Medicine magazine. The article “Floaters in My Eyes” discusses the occurrence of floaters and treatment options now availablesisipisi.ccsisipisisisipisi.ccsisipisi.cc.
Dr. Moran has been successfully treating floaters with an in-office laser procedure, called Vitreolysis. This treatment option targets floaters with laser energy. The laser pulses change the collagen of the floater into a gas, removing it from the patient’s vision.
To read more of the articles in this publication, click here.
Dr. Moran, Bobbi, and Cindy attended the ASCRS (American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons) Conference in our nation’s capital, Washington, DC. The conference ran over a “long” April weekend and presented a great opportunity to learn more about the diagnosis and treatment of cataracts and glaucoma, as well as vision correction procedures like LASIK.
Bobbi & Cindy at the Surgery Conference
“Ongoing education is a priority not only for physicians. It is important for every member of our team to be up-to-date on innovations and technology now available to offer the best eye care. While at this conference, we were able to learn from industry experts on ways to more effectively care for our patients. It was also a chance to share what we do at Moran Eye Associates,” Dr. Moran explains.
Information sessions at the conference included new treatment techniques to manage dry eye, cataract surgery case studies, and advances in pre-surgical measurements. There was much to learn in classes and from networking and exchanging ideas with other professionals there. They were able to talk about how our new in-office procedures for floaters and dry eye are helping our patients see more clearly.
The Virtual Eye allows Cindy to be “inside the eye” for an incredible view.
New Ways to Learn
In addition to the formal educational sessions, there were also many opportunities for hands-on learning.
Using Virtual Reality, Bobbi & Cindy were able to have a 360-degree view inside the eye. They were able to witness how the eye is affected by glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts. They agreed it was a little disorienting to be “floating” around inside an eye, but it was a memorable experience to see detailed images of changes to retina, vitreous and lens.
We look forward to using the knowledge gained to improve the care of our patients. After a busy and productive few days away, it is back to the office!
If floaters are getting in the way of your vision, there is a solution.
Laser treatment can clear floaters from your vision.
Laser Treatment for Floaters is now available at Moran Eye Associates. This painless, in-office procedure, can remove and reduce floaters from your vision. It is covered by most medical insurances.
The goal of this treatment, known as Vitreolysis, is to achieve a functional improvement so that you can return to day-to-day activities without the hindrance of floaters.
What happens during the procedure?
In an exam room using the YAG Laser pictured above, Dr. Moran will apply laser light to evaporate the floaters. The laser pulses convert the floater molecules into a gas, removing or reducing the floater so that it no longer disturbs your vision.
Before the procedure, your eye will be numbed with anesthetic drops. Then, a contact lens will be placed on your eye so that Dr. Moran can clearly see inside your eye while looking through a special microscope.
During treatment, you may notice small, dark specks or shadows. The laser will make a clicking sound as the pulses of light are applied. Each treatment session will take about 20-30 minutes, and it may take two, or possibly three sessions, in order to achieve the best result.
Are you a candidate for Laser Floater Treatment?
Dilated Eye
Before you schedule the laser procedure, Dr. Moran will need to see you for a dilated evaluation to determine your eligibility for vitreolysis treatment.
Considerations include your age, how long you have had the floaters, and the characteristics of the floaters themselves.
Are there different types of Floaters?
Yes. Floaters are the small pieces of debris that float in the vitreous (clear fluid) of the eye. Floaters can appear long and stringy, cloud-like or round.
Cobweb Floaters
Fibrous Strand Floater: Most common in young people, this thin, dense floater can appear as dots, or stringy cobwebs, which are a result of clumping of the collagen in the eye. Depending on the size and location of this floater, it may be treatable with vitreolysis.
Cloud-Like Floaters
Diffuse Floaters: This cloud-like type of floater is caused by the natural aging of the eye. Due to the scattered, wide-spread nature of this floater, it may require multiple treatments for best results.
Weiss Ring Floater
Weiss Ring Floater: This large, ring-shaped floater is located safely away from the lens and the retina, which makes it a good candidate for this procedure.
If you have more questions about this procedure, set up an appointment for an evaluation to see if we can make your vision floater-free 610-628-2022.
A: The IntraLase Method uses laser light to create a flap in the outer layer of your cornea. The laser creates an even layer of microscopic bubbles under the corneal surface. The flap is hinged, like the page of a book. Dr. Moran then lifts the flap by gently separating the tissue where these bubbles have formed. After the flap is lifted, Dr. Moran moves to the second step of the procedure, applying the laser treatment to reshape the corneasisipisi.ccsisipisi.ccsisipisi.ccsisipisi.cc.
