lee eye institute

LASIK stands for LASer-assisted In situ Keratomileusis.

In other words, LASIK is reshaping the cornea with a laser.  The laser used in laser vision correction is called an excimer laser.  This 'cold laser' gently vaporizes precise points on the cornea, allowing light to focus properly on the retina.  This laser is extremely precise, and does not damage the eye's adjacent stroma.

The cornea is the first point in the eye where light begins to bend.  The cornea does not change shape to focus like the eye's crystalline lens, but it still plays an important role in overall visual acuity.

The purpose of LASIK is to reshape the cornea to make refraction more accurate.  For myopic patients, LASIK flattens the cornea.  For hyperopic patients, LASIK steepens the cornea.  For astigmatic patients, LASIK may smooth the distortions on the cornea

There are three primary types of refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, occurs when the cornea is too steep.  This causes light to focus in front of the retina.

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, occurs when the cornea is too flat.  This causes light to focus behind the retina.

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is shaped irregularly, causing blurred or distorted vision.

One way to help the eye focus light more effectively is to make small changes to the shape of the cornea. LASIK can correct most refractive errors, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

The iLASIK procedure combines two advanced lasers with a 3-D mapping process in one integrated, blade-free procedure. Wavefront technology that was originally designed to help identify distortions in high powered telescopes is used to create your personalized refractive signature.  This indicator of light's passage through your eye is the blueprint by which your iLASIK procedure is customized.  After your Wavefront map is made, a thin flap of corneal tissue is created at the front of the eye using a special femtosecond excimer laser.  With the flap created, another excimer laser is used to vaporize microscopic amounts of corneal tissue from the front of the eye, which is the final step of the iLASIK procedure.

The iLASIK procedure has been used to treat more eyes than any other laser vision treatment available today, which is a testament to its reliability.

Treatment is customized for each and every patient.  Two of the safest, most accurate, and most precise excimer lasers are used in tandem to reshape the cornea to its most ideal refractive form.  Each pulse of the laser is personalized to make your vision the best it could possibly be.

The most common errors in LASIK surgery occur in the creation of the corneal flap.  Using a laser to create this flap only makes this procedure more safe and more predictable.

The iLASIK procedure offers the most individualized correction available today to help you get your best possible vision whether you are 25, 35 or 55.

It is recommended, however, that no one under 18 have LASIK, because vision is still changing up to that age for many people.  Other contraindications include latent hyperopia and other conditions that continue to change visual acuity.

Only the iLASIK Procedure has earned FDA approval to treat the broadest range of vision imperfections possible, including mild to severe nearsightedness, farsightedness and all types of astigmatism.

The technology behind the iLASIK Procedure helps physicians take more of their patients beyond 20/20 vision.

Only the iLASIK Procedure combines the technology that persuaded NASA to allow laser vision correction for their astronauts.

Dr. James Lee is committed to providing only the best technology and procedures for his patients. He has personally chosen iLASIK™ as his choice for Vision Correction. iLASIK combines the safety of All-Laser Intralase with the precision of the Visx Star S4 Laser using Wavefront technology.

Traditional LASIK has been the cornerstone for laser vision correction since its FDA approval in the mid 90’s.  LASIK technology has come a long way since, with Wavefront technology and femtosecond lasers. iLASIK takes the safety and precision of laser vision correction to the next level.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the VISX CustomVue procedure for correcting nearsightedness and astigmatism. The following are some of the FDA clinical study results. One year after the VISX CustomVue procedure, without corrective lenses:

• 100% could pass a driving test.
• 98% could see 20/20 or better.

The iLASIK procedure combines the world’s most advanced, customized vision correcting technologies into one safe, proven procedure.

Other forms of laser vision correction don’t have the clinical results or the advanced technology to match the iLASIK procedure.

Active lifestyles demand your best possible vision. Only the iLASIK procedure delivers truly personalized treatment.  More doctors rely on iLASIK to take their patients to 20/20 vision and beyond.  See the details in life, whether diving, snowboarding, mountain biking, sharpshooting or golfing.

To determine your candidacy, first schedule your initial evaluation!

During your evaluation, Dr. James Lee will measure the amount of refractive error in each of your eyes and measure the thickness of your cornea. Your cornea must be measured because patients who have thin corneas may not be able to have LASIK. Fortunately, there are alternatives for patients in the Colorado Springs area who have thin corneas, such as PRK or implantable lenses.

Once you have been examined and you and your doctor have decided that LASIK is the best choice, you will be scheduled for LASIK surgery. During the first step of the LASIK procedure, the surgeon will use a laser to create a thin flap in the cornea. Using a laser for this step minimizes the risk of flap-related complications. After creating the flap in the cornea, a different laser is used to reshape your cornea. This laser sends precise pulses into your eye that accurately remove small amounts of corneal tissue. This allows light to focus more precisely on the retina. After reshaping, the corneal flap is put back over the treated area and the surgery is complete.

Actual surgery time lasts only 5 minutes, but approximately one hour should be allotted for brief preoperative and postoperative steps.

Once your LASIK procedure is complete, Dr. James Lee will place a protective patch over the eye. Wearing the protective shield will ensure quick healing. The LASIK procedure does not require stitches, so you will need to wear a shield until your eyes have healed completely. Minor discomfort is common after having a LASIK procedure including itchiness, slight burning sensations, or watering eyes. You will be scheduled for a follow-up appointment for the day following your surgery to ensure proper healing.