Eyes (Ophthalmology)

LASIK-Refractive Surgery

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Ophthalmology Services Video

Our Technology

The Laser Center for Vision Care at UT Southwestern Medical Center offers the most advanced, proven laser technology to enable our physicians to customize patients’ vision correction. After a thorough evaluation, our physicians recommend the laser that will provide the best treatment available. We offer:

INTRALASE FS Laser – provides the first step in vision correction surgery. This computer-controlled laser creates the flap on the cornea, eliminating the use of a microkeratome (blade). Learn more about Intralase.
VISX Star S4/IR Excimer Laser System – VISX was a pioneer in the development of excimer laser systems and remains an industry leader. With CustomVue treatments using the WaveScan aberrometer and FDA approval for wavefront guided ablations, our physicians have the ability to evaluate data received from the entire eye, not just the refractive error. Recently VISX was granted FDA approval for the first-ever wavefront-guided treatment of monovision, providing safe and effective custom improvement for near and distance vision. VISX technology minimizes the amount of corneal tissue removed during surgery and creates a smooth, even ablation. Learn more about VISX.
Allegretto Wave – approved by the FDA with the widest treatment range ever initially granted to a new laser. The Allegretto Wave enables us to offer patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism treatments optimized for corneal curvature. This means that patients who did not qualify for treatment with other lasers may now be LASIK candidates.

As the fastest laser system in the U.S. today, the Allegretto Wave also features unique safety technology. PerfectPulse Technology accurately controls every laser move, and ensures that the Wave is directed at the desired location.

With its ultra-fast eye-tracking system, small spot beam, and wavefront principle technology, the Allegretto Wave keeps the cornea’s natural, pre-operative shape, and provides the cornea with a smoother finish than non-wavefront technologies.

Our Procedures

Today there are many different procedures to correct vision. These various procedures are commonly referred to as "lasik," but lasik is really only one of the many options available to today's patient. All of these surgeries reshape the cornea so that images properly focus on the retina. The important thing to consider is which surgery is best suited to the unique contour of the patient’s eyes.

With LASIK a microthin flap of corneal tissue is created with the Intralase FS femptosecond laser. The flap is lifted out of the laser’s path and the excimer laser is used to remove corneal tissue. The flap is placed back into position and covers the treated area. The advantages of LASIK are minimal discomfort; vision improvement within hours; reduced risk of haze; and the need to use medicated eyedrops for only one week. Disadvantages of LASIK are associated with creation of the corneal flap and potential shifting of the corneal flap after the procedure.
During LASEK, a blade called a trephine, rather than a microkeratome, is used to create the corneal flap. A dilute alcohol solution is used on the eye to loosen the epithelium and then the epithelium is lifted out of position. The excimer laser is applied and the flap is replaced to cover the treated area. LASEK has fewer possible or potential complications than those associated with the microkeratome. The disadvantage of LASEK is the potential of discomfort for two to three days after surgery, delayed visual recovery and the potential for haze.
Intralase currently is the hot news in vision correction surgery. This computer-controlled laser creates the flap on the cornea, eliminating the use of a microkeratome (a surgical blade). An all-laser procedure provides fewer operative and post-operative problems than traditional laser surgery.
Wavefront-guided LASIK, PRK or LASEK takes laser eye surgery to a more precise level. With Wavefront-guided LASIK, PRK, and LASEK, the entire eye is measured with a wavefront aberrometer. These measurements are much more precise than those in a traditional refractive evaluation. Wavefront measurements provide important data to the physician about how the eye focuses light and creates a personalized, one-of-a-kind prescription for surgery. Because Wavefront-guided ablations are tailored to each individual eye, these procedures have a low incidence of halo and glare and better night vision than conventional treatment. It also helps screen out patients who may not be good laser vision candidates.
INTACS are microthin polymer ring segments. These inserts are placed under the outer edge of the cornea. INTACS reshape the cornea from within to allow better focus of light rays on the retina. If adjustments are needed, prescription rings can be replaced or removed if necessary. Advantages of INTACS include reversibility; structural integrity of the eye because tissue is not removed; independence on wound healing; and delivery of an excellent quality of vision. The disadvantages are that it is only FDA approved for low levels of myopia and does not correct astigmatism.
PRK was the first laser vision correction procedure approved by the FDA. The corneal epithelium is actually removed and an excimer laser beam is used to remove corneal tissue until the desired correction is achieved. The epithelium will grow back in the next several days, resulting in a smooth corneal surface. PRK is quick, straight-forward, does not involve any cutting of the eye, and may be preferred in cases of certain corneal abnormalities. Disadvantages include one to two days of discomfort; slower visual recovery; the chance of developing corneal haze; and the need to use medicated eyedrops for an extended time after surgery. Some patients may qualify for custom PRK.

C-CAP — Fixing Issues of Previous LASIK

While the vast majority of people who undergo refractive surgery have excellent results, a condition known as decentered ablation can affect a small number of those who had PRK or LASIK. This is caused by an off-center initial treatment or an eye that healed unevenly.

The Custom-Contoured Ablation Pattern (C-CAP) Method may be able to help these patients, if sufficient corneal tissue remains. C-CAP uses specialized topography software to precisely map the surface of the eye. This data allows the ophthalmologist to plan a surgery that dictates ablation depth, diameter, location and exact pattern that will eliminate the corneal irregularity.

C-CAP is also used in patients who have traumatic disorders or residual astigmatism after corneal transplants, and patients with contact lens-induced irregularities and inherited or acquired eye disorders.

UT Southwestern is one of a handful of centers to offer C-CAP.

INTRALASE FS Laser – provides the first step in vision correction surgery. This computer-controlled laser creates the flap on the cornea, eliminating the use of a microkeratome (blade). Learn more about Intralase.
VISX Star S4/IR Excimer Laser System – VISX was a pioneer in the development of excimer laser systems and remains an industry leader. With CustomVue treatments using the WaveScan aberrometer and FDA approval for wavefront guided ablations, our physicians have the ability to evaluate data received from the entire eye, not just the refractive error. Recently VISX was granted FDA approval for the first-ever wavefront-guided treatment of monovision, providing safe and effective custom improvement for near and distance vision. VISX technology minimizes the amount of corneal tissue removed during surgery and creates a smooth, even ablation. Learn more about VISX.
Allegretto Wave – approved by the FDA with the widest treatment range ever initially granted to a new laser. The Allegretto Wave enables us to offer patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism treatments optimized for corneal curvature. This means that patients who did not qualify for treatment with other lasers may now be LASIK candidates.

As the fastest laser system in the U.S. today, the Allegretto Wave also features unique safety technology. PerfectPulse Technology accurately controls every laser move, and ensures that the Wave is directed at the desired location.

With its ultra-fast eye-tracking system, small spot beam, and wavefront principle technology, the Allegretto Wave keeps the cornea’s natural, pre-operative shape, and provides the cornea with a smoother finish than non-wavefront technologies.

With LASIK a microthin flap of corneal tissue is created with the Intralase FS femptosecond laser. The flap is lifted out of the laser’s path and the excimer laser is used to remove corneal tissue. The flap is placed back into position and covers the treated area. The advantages of LASIK are minimal discomfort; vision improvement within hours; reduced risk of haze; and the need to use medicated eyedrops for only one week. Disadvantages of LASIK are associated with creation of the corneal flap and potential shifting of the corneal flap after the procedure.
During LASEK, a blade called a trephine, rather than a microkeratome, is used to create the corneal flap. A dilute alcohol solution is used on the eye to loosen the epithelium and then the epithelium is lifted out of position. The excimer laser is applied and the flap is replaced to cover the treated area. LASEK has fewer possible or potential complications than those associated with the microkeratome. The disadvantage of LASEK is the potential of discomfort for two to three days after surgery, delayed visual recovery and the potential for haze.
Intralase currently is the hot news in vision correction surgery. This computer-controlled laser creates the flap on the cornea, eliminating the use of a microkeratome (a surgical blade). An all-laser procedure provides fewer operative and post-operative problems than traditional laser surgery.
Wavefront-guided LASIK, PRK or LASEK takes laser eye surgery to a more precise level. With Wavefront-guided LASIK, PRK, and LASEK, the entire eye is measured with a wavefront aberrometer. These measurements are much more precise than those in a traditional refractive evaluation. Wavefront measurements provide important data to the physician about how the eye focuses light and creates a personalized, one-of-a-kind prescription for surgery. Because Wavefront-guided ablations are tailored to each individual eye, these procedures have a low incidence of halo and glare and better night vision than conventional treatment. It also helps screen out patients who may not be good laser vision candidates.
INTACS are microthin polymer ring segments. These inserts are placed under the outer edge of the cornea. INTACS reshape the cornea from within to allow better focus of light rays on the retina. If adjustments are needed, prescription rings can be replaced or removed if necessary. Advantages of INTACS include reversibility; structural integrity of the eye because tissue is not removed; independence on wound healing; and delivery of an excellent quality of vision. The disadvantages are that it is only FDA approved for low levels of myopia and does not correct astigmatism.
PRK was the first laser vision correction procedure approved by the FDA. The corneal epithelium is actually removed and an excimer laser beam is used to remove corneal tissue until the desired correction is achieved. The epithelium will grow back in the next several days, resulting in a smooth corneal surface. PRK is quick, straight-forward, does not involve any cutting of the eye, and may be preferred in cases of certain corneal abnormalities. Disadvantages include one to two days of discomfort; slower visual recovery; the chance of developing corneal haze; and the need to use medicated eyedrops for an extended time after surgery. Some patients may qualify for custom PRK.

C-CAP — Fixing Issues of Previous LASIK

UT Southwestern is one of a handful of centers to offer C-CAP.

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Eyes (Ophthalmology)

Medical Services

Learn More

Video & Audio