The LASIK Procedure.

Dr. Dean Dornic explains the basics of the LASIK procedure.

What's Different About IntraLase?

IntraLase is superior to conventionalLASIK and Z-LASIK for several reasons. One reason is the ability of the surgeon to watch the flap being created. Here's a video of an IntraLase LASIK procedure. To watch it, click here.

LASIK Cost

One of the most common questions potential LASIK patients ask is that of cost. Patients are often befuddled by the wide variability in prices charged for a LASIK procedure. Consumers often make the mistake when inquiring about price that they are comparing apples to apples. But over the years the LASIK procedure has evolved and changed so that there are many different techniques and technologies available to correct vision with variable success and safety profiles. In addition there are variable amounts of service associated with the fees charged.

As a general rule, the lower the fee, the less surgeon-patient interaction there is. The reason is that lower fees mean that more patients need to be treated in order to generate the same level of income as fewer patients at a higher fee.

There are other factors that can account for differences in fees even if you meet the surgeon at every visit before and after surgery. The more experience of the surgeon, typically the higher the fee. In other words, the greater the expertise, the higher the fee. As with any profession, some surgeons are more skilled than others which includes not only surgical expertise, but also diagnostic expertise as well since LASIK is not always the best procedure for everyone. Some patients may be better suited for other procedures and some patients should not have surgery at all.

The equipment and physical plant is another cost factor. There are several studies that confirm that an environmentally controlled room is essential to good LASIK outcomes. The surgical suite should have a separate heating and cooling unit from the rest of the clinic. Humidity must be strictly controlled. An air filtration system may have some impact on outcomes. There are several different manufacturers of flap making devices and lasers to perform the procedure all with varied prices and associated costs just as there are different makes and models of automobiles. Which would you want: a Ferrari or a Hyundai? In general, an all-laser or blade-free LASIK procedure is safer and more precise than a standard LASIK but costs more. A wave-front guided procedure costs more than a wavefront-optimized procedure which costs more than a conventional LASIK. The more expensive techniques tend to give better results and fewer side-effects such as night-time driving difficulties.

There will always remain those patients who seek only the lowest price but the educated LASIK consumer should seek to investigate further before settling on their vision correction provider.

Z-LASIK is Not IntraLase

Patients are often confused by LASIK terminology. IntraLase and Z-LASIK are both "All-Laser" LASIK but Z-LASIK is a lower priced IntraLase imitator without all the custom and safety features of IntraLase. Where price is not a determining factor, the military and major university eye centers have all chosen IntraLase over Z-LASIK. Dr. Dean Dornic of the Laser Eye Center of Carolina has performed both IntraLase and Z-LASIK. He agrees that IntraLase is better. Don't shortchange yourself; choose IntraLase and, in the Raleigh NC area, choose Laser Eye Center of Carolina.

Don't Limit Your Choices

If you go to a LASIK Only Center you'll most likely get....LASIK. But wouldn't you feel better knowing that you were getting a procedure that was personalized for you.
Dr. Dean Dornic of the Laser Eye Center offers all available FDA approved vision correction procedures. So you can be confident knowing that you will be receiving the procedure most likely to result in success. Some patients may not be suitable for LASIK because of thin corneas, unusual corneal topography or coexisting medical conditions. Golfers use an assortment of clubs and mechanics a variety of tools, so why would you trust your eyes to a center that performs only one type of vision correction procedure?
Dr. Dean Dornic is one of the most experienced LASIK providers in the triangle and has recently been named a top 50 LASIK surgeon http://www.pr.com/press-release/224475 but he also has extensive experience in CK, PRK, SBK, Intacs and intraocular lenses. So if you want a truly customized vision correction solution, why not come in for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Dornic.

Custom LASIK Does Not Equal CustomVue

Raleigh area LASIK candidates can be confused by advertisements for “custom LASIK”. Patients considering LASIK and who understand that the results of custom LASIK are in general, better than conventional LASIK, may mistakenly believe that all providers who offer custom LASIK are offering the same service.
Unfortunately, some providers of wavefront optimized LASIK advertise their procedure as “custom”. This is a distortion of the original meaning of custom LASIK which refers to wavefront guided LASIK.
Needless to say, the visual performance of wavefront guided LASIK tends to be better than wavefront optimized. This has been born out by numerous studies and is the reason that NASA and the Department of Defense prefers wavefront guided LASIK.
Vision problems can be categorized into lower order ones (nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism) and higher order aberrations: the type that cause visual distortions, night time halos and starbursts. Wavefront optimized LASIK simply means there is an effort made not to induce new aberrations. Wavefront guided LASIK means that there is an effort to correct any preexisting distortions /aberrations and is the reason some LASIK patients will note that there vision is actually better after LASIK than it was before with their best glasses or contact lenses.
Raleigh area LASIK candidates may want to investigate data submitted to the FDA on LASIK. They will discover that the LASIK technology with the highest ever rate of 20/20 results was accomplished by CustomVue on a VISX Star laser and is the same technology employed here at the Laser Eye Center of Carolina.

Preexisting Psychiatric and Personality Disorders Can be a Major Source of Dissatisfaction After LASIK

A recent study done at the US Navy Refractive Center in San Diego was performed to determine the source of patient dissatisfaction after LASIK. The study confirmed that the overwhelming majority of patients were satisfied with the results of their LASIK surgery. An important predictor of dissatisfaction was the preexistence of psychiatric and personality disorders. Specifically mentioned was the presence of depression or a negative outlook. This study points out the importance of screening patients for these disorders and for patients to have realistic expectations. http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/AAO/7323

Treating Epithelial Ingrowth with the YAG Laser

Jorge L. Alió, MD described the use of the YAG laser to treat epithelial ingrowth after LASIK as an alternative to flap lifts in a recent issue of Refractive Eyecare. Early treatment of mild-to-moderate epithelial ingrowth with the Nd:YAG laser promises a simple way to eliminate a vexing problem and, possibly, prevent the development of more serious problems.
Instead of lifting the LASIK flap, refractive surgeons can treat most moderate epithelial ingrowth and restore patients’ lost visual acuity with a laser commonly used after cataract surgery. This low-energy, effective procedure uses the workhorse of ophthalmic lasers to spare patients more invasive surgery and avoid the risks of further complications from a flap lift

Surgeons Believe in LASIK

A recent survey by the International Society of refractive Surgery confirms that the surgeons who perform the surgery are confident enough in the procedure to have it performed on their eyes and the eyes of their family members. About fifty percent of the population could benefit from the LASIK procedure. Among refractive surgeons, about 35 percent have had LASIK performed on their own eyes. This is four times greater than the general public. In addition 30 percent of their spouses have had it done, 40 percent of their siblings and 21 percent of their children have had LASIK. I do not wear glasses but I have performed the procedure on my wife and sister. All surgical procedures carry some risk but the safety record of LASIK is so high that surgeons who perform the procedure and depend on their eyes for their livelihood seem to have little qualm about having the procedure performed on themselves and their loved ones.