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LASIK Laser Eye Surgery Frequently Asked Questions
Provided by Dr. Sanford Moretsky


Click to learn more about:
  • What is LASIK?
  • Does LASIK Hurt?
  • How long does the procedure take?
  • Will I be rid of my glasses or contacts completely?
  • How soon can I resume driving?
  • How soon can I return to work?
  • When can I wear makeup?
  • When can I swim following LASIK?
  • What are the doctor's results?
  • What about the laser technology?
  • What is the difference between LASIK and CustomVue LASIK?
  • What is Wavefront Technology?
  • Why is Wavefront technology so important to the CustomVue LASIK procedure?
  • How is the information transferred from the wavefront/wavescan to the laser?
  • Is Visx CustomVue better than glasses and contacts?
  • What were the visual acuity results of the FDA clinical study?
  • What does better than 20/20 mean?
  • How does the CustomVue procedure affect my night vision?
  • What is IntraLase or the IntraLase Method?
  • Why choose IntraLase?
  • Is IntraLase Safer?
  • Is IntraLase the same as the Custom LASIK procedure I've heard about?
  • I have seen advertisements for 'All-Laser LASIK' is this IntraLase?
  • Is IntraLase more expensive?
  • Why IntraLase now?

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What is LASIK?


LASIK is the advanced laser procedure used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. A small protective flap is made on the surface of the cornea. The flap is then lifted and an Excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea under the flap after which the flap is put back into place, where it self seals.


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Does LASIK Hurt?


There is minimal discomfort with the procedure. Patients are usually aware of the creation of the protective flap when the eye is pressurized with the suction ring. The eyes may also feel 'scratchy' for the first few days.


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How long does the procedure take?


The procedure takes about 20-30 minutes for both eyes.


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Will I be rid of my glasses or contacts completely?


LASIK will greatly reduced or eliminate your dependence on glasses and contacts. Patients over 40 years old may still need reading glasses. Like any medical procedure, there are no guarantees, but over 99% of our patients can pass their driver's license test without glasses.


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How soon can I resume driving?


Obviously patients should not drive until they are confident their vision is clear and stable. Typically most patients drive themselves to our office the next day without the need for their glasses or contacts. We advise Epi-LASIK patients not to drive for approximately 3-5 days as the eyes heal.


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How soon can I return to work?


Most people return to work within one to two days following the completion of their procedure. Epi-LASIK typically requires a little longer recovery to aid in the healing process.


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When can I wear makeup?


You should wait three to four weeks before applying eye mascara.


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When can I swim following LASIK?


You should not swim or use a hot tub for about two weeks following LASIK.


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What are the doctor's results?


Our doctor's results are consistent and speak for themselves. With Custom LASIK our results are even better. Now over 99% of our patients can pass a driving test, 97% of our patients are seeing 20/20 or better and 60% of our patients are able to see 20/15 or better. Our doctor's enhancement rate is only 3% utilizing the CustomVue platform through a full range of correction.


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What about the laser technology?


We are proud to announce that we are the only LASIK center in Phoenix that relies on a combination of all laser 'blade-free' IntraLase and exclusive VISX CustomVue technology for all of our patients.

IntraLase creates the flap using a highly sophisticated laser and computerized system, eliminating the need for a hand held microkeratome/bladed system. The shape, thickness and consistency of the flap are unsurpassed with the IntraLase technology.

The VISX CustomVue laser is a wavefront 'guided' excimer laser delivering 'true' custom LASIK treatments. This technology enables correction of all higher order aberrations (imperfections) and not just lower order aberrations such as those used to identify nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. VISX CustomVue technology enables steepening of the peripheral cornea, maintaining its normal shape, plus correcting subtle imperfections in vision that are identified by the 'fingerprint' analysis of the visual system of the eye. Unlike the Allegretto wavelight laser, which only corrects for the peripheral steepening effect. VISX measures and corrects all aberrations in the patient's eyes 25 times more precisely than standard methods used for glasses and contact lenses. The data obtained from the visual analysis is captured and digitally transferred to the laser for a high definition vision correction never before possible.

VISX CustomVue Star S4IR laser relies on both eye tracking and iris registration to better correct for astigmatism. The laser also corrects for pupil centration, unlike other excimer lasers currently available.


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What is the difference between LASIK and CustomVue LASIK?


Conventional LASIK treats a majority of common aberrations or imperfections called 'lower order aberrations'. These aberrations are responsible for causing nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. CustomVue LASIK provides a more precise treatment for 'higher order aberrations', which we can now measure with the Wavescan aberrometer. This allows us to provide patients with a better quality of vision by measuring and addressing all of these aberrations as part of the treatment plan.


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What is Wavefront Technology?


Wavefront technology was originally developed for use in high-powered telescopes to reduce distortions when viewing distant objects in space. This technology has now been applied to laser vision correction, measuring imperfections in the eye never before measured, using standard methods for glasses and contact lenses. Wavefront based digital technology identifies and measures imperfections in an individual's eye 25 times more precisely than the standard method. Physicians use this information to treat individuals with the CustomVue procedure.


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Why is Wavefront technology so important to the CustomVue LASIK procedure?


Until now, physicians have been forced to practice one-size-fits-all vision. An off-the-shelf lens corrects an individual's vision fairly well, but it doesn't correct it precisely because it's not uniquely tailored to that person's fingerprint of their vision. Now, with wavefront technology, we can customize a tailor made correction for the unique characteristics of each individual's vision.


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How is the information transferred from the wavefront/wavescan to the laser?


The wavescan information is recorded onto a computer memory stick and then digitally transferred to the laser, providing a new level of precision and accuracy.


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Is Visx CustomVue better than glasses and contacts?


Yes. As shown in the FDA clinical study, Visx CustomVue can produce better vision than is possible with glasses and contact lenses. Glasses and contacts are limited in their ability to correct unique imperfections in each patient's vision. In fact, thousands of individuals have the same prescription. With the CustomVue procedure, no two prescriptions are identical.


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What were the visual acuity results of the FDA clinical study?


A significant result was that one year after the Visx CustomVue procedure:
- 100% of participants could pass a driving test without glasses or contacts.
- 98% of participants could see 20/20 or better without glasses or contacts
- 70% of participants could see better than 20/20 without any glasses or contacts.


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What does better than 20/20 mean?


The current standard for excellence in vision is 20/20. But, with the CustomVue procedure, individuals have the potential to see even better than 20/20. In fact, one year after the CustomVue procedure more than 70% of clinical study participants saw 20/16 or better.


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How does the CustomVue procedure affect my night vision?


Because CustomVue corrects the unique imperfections in each individual's vision, it is likely that night vision will be improved. In fact, in the clinical study, four times as many patients were very satisfied with their night vision after the procedure, as compared to their night vision before with glasses or contacts.


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What is IntraLase or the IntraLase Method?


The IntraLase method is a 100% blade-free approach to creating your corneal flap, the thin flap of tissue that the doctor lies back in order to perform your LASIK procedure.


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Why choose IntraLase?


IntraLase is the first and only blade-free laser technology available for performing the critical first step in the LASIK procedure: creating the corneal flap. IntraLase virtually eliminates the severe complications seen with the microkeratome, improving safety and precision while providing predictably better visual results for the patient. IntraLase is the most sophisticated and accurate technology for corneal flap creation available today and has given many patients greater confidence and assurance in choosing laser vision correction.


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Is IntraLase Safer?


Yes. Intralase improves the safety, and visual results of LASIK. This is a result of the superior precision provided by the computer guided IntraLase laser, as compared to that of a hand held microkeratome. Its precision is the source of its safety. Accuracy of flap thickness has been demonstrated at +/- 10 microns. Precise flap thickness is critical to a successful LASIK outcome. The degree of accuracy is unprecedented in flap creation technology to date. IntraLase flaps provide added assurance and peace of mind for many patients.


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Is IntraLase the same as the Custom LASIK procedure I've heard about?


No. Custom LASIK generally refers to an individualized visual diagnosis using technology called wavefront, which allows for customized treatment with the Excimer laser. The most exciting part is now while the patient has the opportunity for a custom visual result, it can be done with unprecedented safety and precision. Now all steps of laser vision correction procedure may be personalized to the individual: custom diagnosis with wavefront technology, personalized flap creation with IntraLase, and custom laser vision correction with custom ablation.


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I have seen advertisements for 'All-Laser LASIK' is this IntraLase?


Maybe. Contrary to popular belief, LASIK is not an 'all-laser' procedure, due to the use of the microkeratome blade. Only LASIK procedures that use IntraLase can be considered 'all-laser'. The doctors can explain the difference between other procedures that may be advertised as 'all-laser', such as LASEK and Epi-LASIK all of which are surface ablations similar to PRK.


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Is IntraLase more expensive?


Yes. Most patients agree that the added level of safety, assurance and predictably better vision offered by IntraLase is worth the incremental cost. IntraLase surgeons are leaders in the field of Ophthalmology who continually evaluate advances in technology. They've determined that the IntraLase is the most sophisticated and accurate system today for flap creation and have invested heavily in the technology to provide their patient's the best care.


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Why IntraLase now?


Like all technology the IntraLase has gradually and significantly improved since its introduction four years ago. We now have the 5th generation advanced version. Although mechanical keratomes have also improved, we believe the IntraLase undoubtedly has surpassed even the most advanced mechanical keratomes available today. The IntraLase is now faster, allowing us to create the flap with the need for less energy, which makes it even safer than before.


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Sanford L. Moretsky, D.O.
LASIK Vision Correction

Office Address:

Phoenix Office
2125 W Indian School Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85015

Scottsdale Office
10585 N Tatum Blvd.
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

Mesa Office
160 W University Dr.
Mesa, AZ 85201

Glendale Office
5620 W Thunderbird Rd.
Suite C-5
Glendale, AZ 85306

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