LASIK Specialist

The LASIK Procedure

Bladeless LASIK is the most common type of vision correction surgery that we perform. LASIK Eye Surgery is a method of corneal laser eye surgery that we can use to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism with a quick visual recovery and minimal discomfort. 

At the Cliffside Eye Center, Dr. Levine performs  LASIK Surgery using an advanced procedure called Bladeless or Blade Free All Laser LASIK during which the LASIK “flap” is created using a femtosecond laser. His specialized corneal training, experience and expertise in performing corneal surgery such as LASIK, offers patients an added sense of confidence in the safety, efficacy and predictability of having their vision correction procedure.  

LASIK is usually a ‘one and done’ procedure.  The vision improvement is lasting.  The treatment does not ‘wear off’ and need to be redone years later.

What to Expect During Your LASIK Procedure

To begin your LASIK procedure, the staff to place a few eye drops in your eyes to numb the surface of your eye in order to make your treatment quite comfortable. You will be seated in a comfortable and relaxed waiting area while the drops have a chance to begin working. A staff member will escort you into the Excimer Laser Suite and help you to position yourself comfortably on the moveable “bedlike” area that is actually part of the laser system.

To perform Bladeless LASIK we use a three step process:

• During the first step, a “flap” is created with a femtosecond laser so that your LASIK Surgery will actually be done as a Bladeless All Laser LASIK procedure.
• During the first step, we carefully fold the “flap” over and allow the inner layer of the cornea to be visible so that the laser energy can be applied. The actual application of the Excimer Laser can take from 2-15 seconds depending on the amount of correction that you require.
• During the third or final step, we will carefully replace the “flap” into its original position and allow it to adhere in position. The LASIK flap is remarkable in that it achieves its position without requiring the use of sutures or stitches.
• The laser is invisible and painless; most patients tell us that they are surprised that the treatment is quite comfortable, and completed quickly.

What to Expect After Your LASIK Procedure

LASIK permits the healing and visual recovery process to be quick and predictable for most patients. For a few days after your LASIK Eye Surgery, you will need to be careful not to rub or bump your eyes. It is expected that you will have a mild “sandy” or “gritty” sensation during the first day or so after your LASIK surgery. We will give you complete instructions regarding eye drops and medications to use to help the healing and visual recovery process.

YOU NEED TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

It is important that require for all scheduled follow-up visits to check the healing process, regardless of how well you think you are doing. Most LASIK patients at the Cliffside Eye Center are able to pass the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Eye Test (NJMVT without eyeglasses or contacts within a day or so after their LASIK Surgery.

You should feel free to discuss any fears, concerns, questions or thoughts about LASIK or any corneal laser eye surgery with our surgeons or the staff. Some of our staff have had the LASIK procedure themselves. Our staff is available to answer any questions or to address any needs you may have regarding Laser Vision Correction. We will be pleased to spend whatever time is necessary to review any information about the LASIK procedure, what to expect on LASIK surgery day, follow-up care, fees and affordable “no money down” easy monthly payment plans that will fit into your budget.

About PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)

PRK has been performed in the United States since 1995 and as such has withstood the test of time in terms of safety, efficacy and predictability. PRK has advanced in overall patient comfort and visual recovery as compared to the PRK procedures performed in 1995. Laser technology as well the availability of newer treatment medications make PRK of today an excellent choice for many patients. The PRK procedure is somewhat similar to LASIK in that a laser is used to reshape the cornea in order to correct your vision. The key difference between PRK and LASIK is that no “flap” is created during PRK. Instead, the laser is used to produce your optical correction by reshaping the outermost surface of the cornea, rather than under a flap, as in LASIK. PRK requires the removal of a thin layer of the corneal epithelium, which may produce varying degrees of temporary discomfort for up to a few days after your treatment.

With PRK, we will often prescribe additional medications and a thin, soft bandage contact lens to make you more comfortable for a few days after your treatment. Despite a longer healing time, PRK is the preferred procedure for some patients. PRK is recommended for those patients: 1) whose corneas are too thin to have LASIK safely, 2) whose corneas display evidence of scarring from infection or trauma, or 3) some active or reserve military personnel with special assignments.

- Would your lifestyle, job and personal activities benefit from not being dependent on glasses?

- Are you fed up with the hassles associated with glasses and contact lenses?

If you answered yes to these questions, you’re not alone; millions of people in the US suffer from visual disorders that can be treated. That’s right—clear vision with reduced or no dependence on glasses and contact lenses is an option! We offer our patients the most advanced options for vision correction, including blade-free/all-laser LASIK. Most who struggle with glasses and contact lenses have heard about vision correction procedures such as LASIK. LASIK laser vision correction continues to grow in popularity, and with good reason. Millions have undergone LASIK with amazing results. 

Dr. Levine has an excellent track record of helping LASIK surgery patients greatly reduce—or completely eliminate—their need for eyeglasses and contact lenses!

There have been many advances in LASIK surgery in recent years. However, the goal has remained the same: LASIK surgery aims to permanently correct refractive error, eliminating or reducing dependency on eyeglasses as much as possible. The OCLI Vision LASIK surgeons take great pride in offering the latest advancements in LASIK technology by using the AMO (Advanced Medical Optics) iLASIK platform, as well as the Wavelight Laser.

LASIK - OUR EQUIPMENT

Why is the Allegretto Laser better than any other laser on the market?

• It is the latest generation laser
• Has a flying spot laser instead of a single beam
• Gives better results, less glare and haloes
• Treats larger pupils 6-8mm instead of 6mm
• Treats larger area on the cornea than any other laser on the market
• Produces smoothest corneal surface of all lasers
• It has a 240Hz eye tracker which has 4ms reaction time. This means your laser treatment will be perfectly aligned even if your eye twitches or moves.
• Allegretto laser has less increase in higher order aberrations than other lasers. This means sharper, clearer more vivid vision.
• Improves refractive error and contrast, sharpness and perception better than any laser on the market.
• It is wavefront optimized to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism with higher precision than ANY laser on the market.

Most telling of all is:

• It is the laser more eye surgeons choose for their own eyes and their families

What’s the downside?

• Its’s the most expensive laser on the market, it is far more expensive than any other laser.