Learn more about bladeless custom LASIK

Laser Vision Correction is an exciting procedure that safely corrects refractive error with a high degree of accuracy. Refractive error results from a flaw in the shape of the eye that causes images to be improperly focused on the retina, and the result is blurry vision. The three major forms of refractive error are myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. When the doctor performs your vision correction treatment with the excimer laser, he corrects these imperfections by precisely reshaping the curvature of your cornea. Each pulse of the laser removes a quarter of a micron of tissue (a micron is one millionth of a meter). Drs. Altman, Primack and Shah know exactly how much of the cornea to treat based on their highly detailed, personally performed examinations. The results are impressive: 90 – 95% of patients with mild to moderate myopia and astigmatism attain 20/20 vision or better.

Laser Vision Correction can be safely performed in two different ways – LASIK and PRK. Both are performed as an outpatient procedure in the comfort and convenience of our laser suite. Normally, these procedures last less than 10 minutes, with most patients experiencing an improvement in their vision immediately following the procedure. Both procedures utilize Custom Wavefront Technology and the visual results of Bladeless LASIK and PRK are identical.

As the only two corneal fellowship-trained LASIK specialists in the region, Dr. Adam Altman and Dr. Jonathan Primack have been involved with laser vision correction for more than 45 years, combined.

This state-of-the-art procedure is our preferred technique of laser vision correction for the majority of patients. Two lasers are used to perform Bladeless LASIK.

The first is a Femtosecond Laser which safely and painlessly creates a LASIK flap without the use of a metal blade. It does this by accurately focusing infrared laser energy onto the cornea. This technology has two important advantages over the older LASIK technique that used blades:

• It reduces the inherent risks associated with a blade passing through the surface of the eye.
• The precisely produced flap is thinner and allows for greater corneal stability and the treatment of higher levels of correction.

The second laser is the Excimer Laser which reshapes the cornea to correct the refractive error (glasses/ contact lenses prescription).

During the procedure, you will be asked to look at a red fixation light; this light is not the laser, but a guide to help keep your eye steady and pointed in the correct direction. The laser is also equipped with a tracking device in case your eye moves. As the laser delivers steady, rhythmic pulses of light to the cornea, you will hear a clicking sound. The procedure is painless. The main advantage of LASIK is a quick visual recovery. Many patients wake up the next morning seeing clearly without glasses or contacts.

Drs. Altman and Primack are the most experienced refractive surgeons in Berks County to perform Bladeless LASIK on site in the convenience of our fully-licensed outpatient surgical facility.

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) can be thought of as LASIK without the flap. Instead of creating a hinged flap, the surgeon gently and painlessly removes the superficial cells covering the surface of the cornea. The laser is then applied in an identical manner as described above. New cells repopulate the surface the cornea over the next few days.

The PRK procedure is recommended for individuals who are not optimal candidates for LASIK given their corneal thickness, corneal curvature, or degree of refractive error. Patients receiving PRK usually note an improved quality of uncorrected vision soon after the procedure, but they do not see clearly enough to drive for several days. With each passing day, however, the vision becomes more crisp. PRK is the procedure of choice for military fighter pilots and many people in law enforcement careers given its safety profile and excellent results.

Our LASIK specialists use the latest generation lasers to treat nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. Implantable lenses are also available that can decrease dependence on reading glasses (presbyopia).

LASIK and PRK provide excellent results and allow people to perform their everyday tasks with less dependence on corrective lenses. However, people looking for guaranteed, perfect vision without glasses or contacts run the risk of being disappointed. It is important that anyone considering laser vision correction have realistic expectations. Our LASIK specialists will discuss this with you in greater detail at your evaluation.

Patients 40 years of age and older may need reading glasses after laser vision correction, assuming both eyes are corrected to see well for distance. Ask your doctor about the various options that can either delay or reduce the need for reading glasses, including monovision or implantable pseudo-accommodating / multifocal lenses.

A Phakic Intraocular Lens (also known as a Phakic IOL) is a thin, transparent lens that is placed inside the eye to correct myopia (nearsightedness). It could be thought of as an implantable contact lens; however, unlike a regular contact lens, it does not need to be removed, cleaned, or even routinely replaced. A Phakic IOL can remain inside the eye indefinitely. This technology allows people who were once told that they were not candidates for laser vision correction the opportunity to safely and painlessly decrease their dependence on glasses and contact lenses.

Ideal candidates for the phakic intraocular lens are typically those individuals who have:

• High myopia
• Thin corneas
• Irregular corneal topography
• Dry eyes

The evaluation for a Phakic IOL is very similar to that for laser vision correction, but the procedures are different. While LASIK and PRK are performed on the cornea (outside of the eye), the Phakic IOL procedure involves placing a lens inside the eye. The lens is folded and inserted through a tiny, self-sealing incision. It unfolds inside the eye and is positioned between the natural lens and the iris (colored part of the eye). The lens is invisible without the aid of a microscope.

With Phakic IOL’s, only one eye is operated on at a time and the two procedures are usually separated by several weeks. All patients receiving this technology must have 2 microscopic openings placed in their iris prior to implanting the lens. This is a painless procedure done with a laser several weeks before surgery.

Dr. Primack is a certified Phakic Intraocular Lens surgeon. If you are a candidate for this procedure, he will thoroughly review with you the risks, benefits, and alternatives.

Phakic intraocular lenses are ocular implants that correct nearsightedness (myopia). You can think of them as implantable contact lenses that do not need to be regularly removed or changed. These lenses are an excellent option if you are not an optimal candidate for laser vision correction (ie: if you have very high myopia (a glasses prescription too high to treat safely with laser vision correction), very thin corneas, or an abnormal corneal curvature).

Clear Lens Extraction is an excellent option for those individuals wishing to decrease their dependence on both distance and reading glasses.

Around the age of 40, our eyes begin to lose the ability to focus clearly on near objects. This is called presbyopia. Unfortunately, this naturally occurring process continues to worsen until age 60. Remedies include reading glasses, bifocals, progressive lenses, and trifocals. Even laser vision correction, which decreases one’s dependence on distance glasses, will not affect the eventual need for reading glasses, as presbyopia is a lens-related phenomenon that is unaffected by reshaping the cornea.

Clear Lens Extraction offers an opportunity to safely intervene in what would otherwise be a lifelong commitment to reading glasses. In this painless procedure, the natural lens inside your eye is removed through a tiny, self-sealing incision. A ReSTOR intraocular lens is then carefully implanted in the eye, unfolded, and properly positioned by your doctor. The ReSTOR is a multifocal lens meaning that it has the potential to provide good distance, intermediate, and near vision with less dependence on reading glasses.

Ideal candidates for Clear Lens Extraction and ReSTOR implantation are:

• Hyperopic (farsighted) in a range too high for laser vision correction
• Good candidates for laser vision correction who desire less dependence on both distance and near corrective lenses

The evaluation for Clear Lens Extraction is very similar to that for laser vision correction, but the procedures are different. While LASIK and PRK are performed on the cornea (outside of the eye), Clear Lens Extraction involves surgery inside the eye. Only one eye is operated on at a time and the two procedures are usually separated by several weeks. If you are a candidate for Clear Lens Extraction, your doctor will outline realistic expectations as well as thoroughly review with you the procedure’s risks, benefits, and alternatives.

The Alcon ReSTOR Lens (left) is an alternative for individuals seeking less dependence on both distance and reading glasses. It is implanted inside the eye after the natural lens has been removed, and can often provide good uncorrected vision at distance, intermediate, and near.

The first step is to make an appointment for a free LASIK Evaluation. At your evaluation appointment, we will take as much time as necessary to answer all of your questions and help you explore your options.

Click here or call 610-378-8500 to arrange for your free Bladeless Custom LASIK evaluation.

For your first visit with us, you do not need to stop wearing your contact lenses. Because contact lenses change the natural shape of your cornea and could affect the accuracy of your test results, we request that you discontinue wearing your soft contact lenses for 10 – 14 days before your second, full evaluation and 14 days before your laser vision correction procedure. If you wear rigid (hard) contact lenses, a longer time period will be necessary.