While LASIK is one of the more commercialized terms, it is actually just one of many procedures that fall under the broader category of Laser Vision Correction (LVC). Most often when someone tells you they have had LASIK, they may have actually had one of the many similar procedures available. No single vision correction procedure is best; each has its benefits and drawbacks. Our expertise in vision correction ensures that we can craft a treatment plan specific to your unique optics, medical history, occupational and lifestyle needs to deliver outstanding results every time.
Understanding how we see is important to understanding how vision correction works. When we look at an image, light passes through the outer most part of the eye called the cornea. From there, the light passes through our lens. The lens is the portion of the eye that is responsible for focusing on objects, either in the distance or up close. As we age it loses its ability to focus resulting in the need for reading glasses. Finally, this image is projected onto the retina, which transmits the image to the brain via the optic nerve. Imperfections in vision can be caused by any three of these functions (cornea, lens, and retina).
Most vision correction aims to perfect the image entering the eye by reshaping the surface of the cornea. Imperfections in our vision are known as refractive errors. There are three types of refractive errors: nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Commonly known as nearsightedness, this occurs when the cornea is steeply curved. Light focuses in front of the retina, resulting in blurry distance vision. Myopia is the most common refractive error. A steeper cornea will result in distance vision becoming blurrier. Typically, a patient’s cornea will not change and myopia does not worsen with age.
Commonly known as farsightedness, this occurs when the cornea is very flat. Images focus behind the retina, resulting in blurry vision of objects up close. People often confuse this with presbyopia, which occurs with age; the natural eye's loss of the ability to focus on objects up close. Treatment of presbyopia requires reading glasses and is very different then hyperopia, which does not occur with age.
Astigmatism refers to an irregular shape of the cornea. One of the most common vision correction myths is that astigmatism cannot be corrected. This is simply not true! The irregular shape causes light to appear distorted to the retina, rendering one’s vision blurry. Patients that have astigmatism will typically also have either hyperopia, or myopia. In fact, most patients we treat have some amount of astigmatism.
LASIK treatment is a two-step process. Before an excimer laser can reshape the eye (to correct vision) a small thin flap is created using a laser or blade. Laser Eye Institute only offers all-laser-LASIK and uses the word’s most advanced laser, Zeiss Visumax, in the flap creation process. Visumax is unmatched in safety, accuracy, and speed; resulting in the safer, more comfortable all-laser-LASIK.
Our Wavelight EX500 laser platform from Alcon delivers safe treatments with excellent outcomes. The EX500 is an Excimer laser system that gently reshapes the surface of the eye using cool laser pulses. Offering wavefront optimized treatment profile and topography guided treatment Wavelight LASIK delivers exceptional results that even outperforms glasses and contacts.
Our Wavelight EX500 laser platform from Alcon delivers safe treatments with excellent outcomes. The EX500 is an Excimer laser system that gently reshapes the surface of the eye using cool laser pulses. Offering wavefront optimized treatment profile and topography guided treatment Wavelight LASIK delivers exceptional results that even outperforms glasses and contacts.
The 8th generation MEL80 is the most recent LASIK laser to become available in the US. Zeiss has been building optics, cameras, and lenses since 1846; their expertise in optics (which other lasers use) result in an extremely precise and accurate laser, particularly in patients with higher corrections.
Our consultations are complimentary and take around two hours. Dr. Haddad or Dr. Rautio will meet with you and determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK and your best treatment plan.
A few days before treatment, we double-check every measurement. Our doctors review all initial measurements and explain treatment day step-by-step.
The big day! Although treatment takes just a few minutes you’ll be here a few hours, so plan on taking the day off work. We give you a mild sedative, so you’ll also need someone to drive you home.
The "WOW" day. Most patients drive themselves and are able to return to work. We'll have you avoid anything that may accidentally injure your eyes.
A quick 10 minute visit to track your healing. We typically lift most restrictions but still want you to be careful doing a few things while your eyes continue heal.
Enjoy your great vision. We’ll continue to see you for quick visits to monitor your healing, all your visits for two years are included with every procedure.
LASIK is a type of refractive surgery for the correction of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. During LASIK a microscopic, protective flap is created to access the inner cornea. Then, laser light is used to gently reshape the surface of the cornea to alter its focusing power and improve your vision. Lastly, the protective flap is repositioned to protect the eye and aid in healing. For most patients, their vision improves immediately after treatment.
PRK or LASEK is similar to LASIK but uses a different method to expose the cornea for laser treatment. In LASEK, instead of a flap the surface of the eye is treated with an alcohol solution and then laser treatment is applied. A bandage contact lens is placed over the eye afterwards to promote healing and provide protection, instead of a flap. Vision improves gradually after LASEK and the bandage contact lens is removed after about one week.
SMILE, while related to LASIK, works differently. Treatment is instead applied slightly below the surface of the eye. This method is even less invasive than LASIK and overall a gentler procedure. SMILE offers faster recovery with less down-time. Patients who did not qualify for LASIK may now qualify for SMILE. Dr. Haddad was the first surgeon in Michigan to perform SMILE in 2017 and the United States top SMILE surgeon.