What is iLasik?
At Shenandoah LASIK & Cataract Center, our number one goal is providing quality procedure results for our patients and seeing the way they smile after their new vision. We go above and beyond to provide the best ilasik care the state of Virginia has to offer.
The iLASIK procedure is one of the safest Eye Surgery procedures in the world to date. It is an FDA approved wavefront-guided blade-free vision correction procedure that helps to patients achieve 20/20 vision.
Who Are The Ideal Candidates For Lasik Eye Surgery?
To determine if you are a good candidate, an eye exam is required. To be considered, you must be:
- At least 18 years old to ensure that their eyes have matured.
- Also, vision must have remained stable without an infection or injury for one year prior to the surgery.
Ideal candidates for iLASIK surgery do not suffer from dry eye syndrome or any autoimmune disorder such as lupus or Sjogren’s syndrome. They also have no scarring on the cornea, and no existing eye diseases or conditions such as cataracts, or keratoconus. Your cornea must not be too thin or shaped too irregularly. Dr. Stefano has been able to treat a wide range of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatic prescriptions.
What if I'm not an ideal candidate for iLASIK?
If you are not a good candidate for LASIK, Dr. Stefano offers several other procedures such as Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) or cataract surgery that might be more suitable for you.
Shenandoah Lasik And Cataract Center’s iLasik Technology
Over the years, many improvements have been made in LASIK procedures since they were first introduced. Shenandoah LASIK & Cataract Center has the most upgraded technology in the Northern Virginia Area. Among the newest and most advanced is iLASIK, which incorporates IntraLase and CustomVue technologies for the best possible vision enhancement.
What is IntraLase® and how does it work?
IntraLase® has redefined the world of LASIK vision correction. Also known as bladeless LASIK, the IntraLase® all-laser procedure eliminates the need for a metal blade during surgery, helping bring clear vision to many people who feel uneasy about going “under the knife” during LASIK. This state-of-the-art technology replaces the microkeratome blade that has traditionally been used to cut the necessary corneal flap during laser vision correction procedures. Rather than creating the flap with a blade, IntraLase® uses laser energy to make a quick, painless incision. By replacing the hand-held blade with a computer-controlled laser, the risk of complications is virtually eliminated.
How The CustomVue® Procedure Works
VISX CustomVue® procedure combines the technologies of the WaveFront and STAR IR S4 Excimer Laser systems for high-definition, high-accuracy LASIK vision correction. CustomVue makes it possible to perform customized refractive surgeries using information gathered from your own eyes. This allows for the correction of the very specific refractive errors that obscure each patient’s vision so you can enjoy the best post-operative vision quality possible, whether you are nearsighted, farsighted and/or astigmatic.
Other benefits of the CustomVue process include faster treatment time and no need to dilate the pupils. This is a benefit of iLASIK because of the low risk of complications and a high level of precision it provides. Bladeless iLASIK treatment has become the standard of care among leading LASIK surgeons and ophthalmic teaching institutions worldwide. Compared to methods that use a microkeratome blade, this minimally invasive and incredibly precise procedure decreases the occurrence of partial flaps, holes in the flap, and other traumatic flap complications. Of the hundreds of thousands of iLASIK procedures that have been performed globally to date, there have been no reports of any serious or sight-threatening complications.
Shenandoah Lasik iDesign Refractive Studio
The iDesign Refractive Studio gives your Dr. Stefano the ability to deliver a truly personalized LASIK procedure, one designed specifically for you. When you choose the iDesign procedure, you’re choosing a procedure that offers:
- 25 times more precision than conventional measurements
- One-of-a-kind customer laser vision correction
- 20/16 or better vision for the majority of patients
With iDesign, you will receive wavefront analysis and corneal topography which allows the doctor to inside and outside of your eye. iDesign takes over 1,200 measurements of your eye and maps each data point to create a custom procedure plan just for you.
How is iLASIK Performed?
The laser uses quick pulses (a quadrillion per second) of laser energy to create the flap in the cornea needed to correct refractive problems. The computer-guided laser pulses travel through the outer layers of the cornea, moving back and forth across the eye to create microscopic bubbles at a specified depth. The bubbles under the cornea eventually create a perforation. The surgeon is then able to gently separate the perforated tissue to create a flap, allowing him to continue with the laser vision correction procedure. Because the laser is guided by a computer, the procedure is carried out with extreme precision and creates the optimal depth, position, and diameter for the flap specific to each patient.
The entire process of creating the corneal flap takes about 30 seconds. After the flap is created the excimer laser which produces a beam of cool ultraviolet light is used to reshape the cornea to reduce or remove the eye’s optical prescription. The doctor programs your information into a computer that controls the laser. The computer creates an exact treatment plan based upon your individual eye utilizing VISX CustomVue® Technology. The laser produces a series of pulses that remove small and precise amounts of corneal tissue. Excimer laser light does not penetrate into the eye and leaves other eye structures (iris, lens, retina) undisturbed.
What is the Recovery from iLASIK Surgery?
Some patients experience increased sensitivity to bright light in the weeks following iLASIK. Patients sometimes also report seeing halos around lights at night. On occasion, patients may experience dry eyes and require eye drops to increase moisture. These symptoms typically decrease shortly after the surgery. Follow-up visits are required to make sure that the procedure went well and your vision remains crisp and clear. Risks The iLASIK procedure has proven to be extremely safe and effective.
What Results Can I Expect from iLASIK?
After the iLASIK Procedure Discomfort is usually minimal following iLASIK. You can expect to notice a significant improvement in vision the very next day. Most patients are able to resume normal daily activities, including driving and returning to work, at this time. You should, however, avoid using any eye makeup for three days following the procedure and avoid swimming and rubbing your eyes for two weeks.
Are There Risks to an iLASIK Procedure?
Nevertheless, no surgery is entirely free from risks and complications. Some patients experience light sensitivity. This is often temporary and can be successfully treated using steroidal eye drops for a few weeks. Also, inflammation can occur in the cornea. Though microscopic, this swelling can lead to blurred vision. This should correct itself over time. Dry eyes may also be experienced, in which case eye drops may be recommended to lubricate the eyes.
See What Our Patients Are Saying...
"I have gone to Dr. Stephano at least 15 years and feel he provides excellent care and is extremely knowledgeable. A busy practice, you will wait…but well worth it."
“Greatest people I have ever met ! Thank you Dr . John Stefano!”
Schedule A Consultation
If you’re interested in learning more information about our Lasik services, or if you wish to schedule an appointment with Shenandoah LASIK & Cataract Center, call our office at 540-722-6200 or fill out the Email Contact Form below!
