Remember the last time you fumbled for your glasses in the middle of the night, or sat through an important meeting with an uncomfortable contact lens? We hear these stories every day at Cliffside Eye Center, and we’re proud to say we’ve helped thousands of New Jersey patients like you escape from these daily frustrations. If you dream of seeing the world without compromise, read on to find out if laser eye surgery is right for you.
What Is Laser Treatment of the Eye?
Laser eye surgery represents one of modern medicine’s most remarkable achievements—a precise, computer-guided reshaping of your cornea to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. At its core, this sophisticated treatment uses advanced laser technology to gently redesign the eye’s natural focusing system, allowing light to properly reach the retina, creating clear vision.
What Types of Laser Eye Surgery Are Offered At Cliffside Eye Center?
1. Blade-Free All Laser LASIK via LASIK.
Our premier laser eye correction option combines multiple breakthrough technologies into one sophisticated system:
- CustomVue™ Wavefront Technology. Originally developed for the Hubble Space Telescope, this technology creates a detailed 3D map of your eye’s unique characteristics to allow treatment perfectly tailored to your eyes unique characteristics.
- VISX Star 4 Excimer Laser with IRIS Registration. Precise corneal reshaping with superior accuracy, a high-speed eye-tracking system adjusts for even the smallest eye movements.
- Intralase Femtosecond Laser. Creates an ultra-thin corneal flap with exceptional precision, rendering surgical blades unnecessary.
This blade-free approach, trusted by NASA for its astronauts, the Air Force for its pilots, offers unprecedented precision, an enhanced safety profile, and exceptional outcome predictability with most patients seeing significant vision improvements in 24-48 hours – for almost immediate return to work – with a full recovery time of 3-4 months.
2. Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK).
PRK is an effective alternative in cases where patients have thin corneas, active lifestyles, or higher prescriptions. During PRK, we utilize our advanced excimer laser technology to reshape the cornea’s surface directly, without creating a flap. While the initial recovery period is slightly longer than LASIK at 1-4 weeks, the long-term results are comparable, with many patients achieving 20/20 vision or better.
What to Expect During Your Laser Eye Surgery Appointment
Laser treatment of the eye is an outpatient procedure, typically taking no more than 20-30 minutes. Here’s what your visit will look like:
- Pre-Surgery. Dr. Levine conducts an in-depth exam, creating a customized treatment plan tailored to you. Your eyes will be numbed with medicated drops and a topical cream, so you’ll be awake during the procedure but will feel little to no discomfort.
- During Surgery. CustomVue™ Wavefront maps out your cornea before the Intralase Femtosecond Laser is used to create the flap needed to access your eye. The VISX Star 4 Excimer Laser finishes things off by reshaping your cornea before the flap is repositioned over it. The laser treatment takes less than 60 seconds. The laser light is invisible and painless.
- Post-Surgery. Our experienced eye care team will provide post-care instructions, prescription eye drops, and scheduled follow-ups, to ensure your enhanced vision serves you well for years to come.
Are You An Eligible Candidate For Laser Eye Surgery?
We understand that considering laser eye surgery is a significant decision. During your consultation, Dr. Levine will personally evaluate whether you’re a good candidate through a detailed eye exam and a medical history review. You might be perfect for laser eye correction if you:
| Requirement | LASIK Surgery | PRK |
| Minimum Age | 18 years or older | |
| Vision Stability | You have to have a stable prescription for at least one year. | |
| Corneal Thickness | You have sufficient corneal thickness. | Have naturally thin corneas. |
| Eye Health | Good overall health; no diseases (glaucoma, cataracts, and keratoconus) present. | |
| Dry Eye Syndrome | Can’t have it. | It may be suitable. |
| Previous Eye Injuries | Can’t have significant corneal scarring. | It may work around scarring. |
| Way of Life | Works for many lifestyles; requires short-term adjustments until healed. | Good for demanding professions & athletes. |
| Treatment Span |
Nearsightedness: up to -12.00 diopters Farsightedness: up to +5.00 diopters Astigmatism: up to 6.00 diopters |
Nearsightedness: up to -7.00 diopters
Farsightedness: up to +4.00 diopters |
Long-Term Satisfaction of Laser Eye Surgery
When you choose laser eye surgery at Cliffside Eye Center, you’re joining 98.5% of satisfied patients who’ve invested in proven, permanent results.
Is Laser Eye Correction Right For Me?
Committing to laser eye surgery extends beyond medical qualifications—it’s about achieving a life without visual restraints. At Cliffside Eye, we understand this is a significant choice; our team is ready to help you evaluate your needs and goals, while our flexible financing options will keep the path to visual freedom affordable and achievable. Call our Cliffside Park office today at 201-941-9400 for a complimentary consultation and see what we can do for you.
