Custom vs. Traditional LASIK
Vision problems are a common thing in many people. Some may be minor while others more complex. Whatever the case may be, Houston refractive surgeon Dr. Andrew Watkins can help you with your needs. Using his years of expertise, Dr. Watkins will ensure that the health of your eyes is assessed and that you undergo the best treatment that will meet your unique eye care needs.
LASIK Surgery and How it Works
In many cases, the answer to a patient’s problems is LASIK surgery. LASIK is a refractive vision correction procedure that reshapes the cornea, which helps like better focus on the retina. The reshaping of the cornea is done with a safe and extremely precise surgical laser.
Vision Problems That LASIK Can Address
LASIK is designed to treat refractive errors, meaning myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. As a skilled ophthalmologist serving the Houston area, Dr. Watkins and his team will ensure that you are screened for these and other eye problems during your visit to the practice.
The Next Step Forward: Custom LASIK
While traditional Houston LASIK has been a great option for patients over the years, the technology has progressed even further. Now patients can undergo a LASIK surgery that is completely customized to his or her eyes. This is known as custom LASIK.
How Custom LASIK Works
During custom LASIK surgery, a digital map is made of the eye. This allows us to pinpoint all the imperfections of the cornea with extreme accuracy. Using this digital map, the LASIK laser is computer guided to fix all the corneal imperfections. Not only does custom LASIK correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, it also addressed other vision problems often associated with these refractive errors, such as glare, halos, starbursts, and poor night vision.
iLASIK and You
At our practice, we’ve actually taken custom LASIK to the next level with iLASIK. iLASIK is custom LASIK surgery performed entirely with lasers. That means less possibility for error or injury and great potential for perfect vision, or perhaps even better-than-perfect vision.
IntraLase® Technology
The IntraLase® vision correction laser is used to created the flap to access the cornea. In the past, an instrument called a microkeratome was used to create a flap on the topmost layer of the eye to access the cornea. While that was effective, the IntraLase® laser is even safer. All-laser iLASIK is just a great enhancement of already great technology, and we’re happy to offer it to all of our patients who are good candidates for refractive surgery.
Schedule a Consultation at Our Practice
As you have seen, custom LASIK is a great advancement over traditional LASIK surgery and it may be just what you were looking for. If you would like more information about refractive surgery options, be sure to contact our Houston vision correction and eye care center today. The entire team here looks forward to discussing your treatment options with you in greater detail.
