Sydney’s Leading Eye Laser Surgeon Dr Con Moshegov.

Eye Laser Surgery Hornsby

Brian M Logan — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 02:16:29 +0000

BOOK A FREE VISION CORRECTION ASSESSMENT

Eye Laser Surgery Hornsby is extremely popular with both younger and older patients in Hornsby and the surrounding suburbs. With a strong reputation Eye Laser Surgery Hornsby offers fast and efficient services that will stop you from needing to wear contacts or glasses so you can enjoy the beautiful views that Hornsby offers. It has a very high success rate as well. If you’re curious what laser eye surgery can do for you, read our list of five laser eye surgery benefits.

Five Benefits of Laser Eye Surgery in Hornsby

1. Improved Vision

The most obvious perk of laser eye surgery is improved vision, with many clients coming to Eye Laser Surgery Hornsby suffering from cataracts, eye floaters and lens impairment. Did you know that around 95% of the patients who get laser eye surgery end up with at least 20/40 vision? Additionally, around 85% of patients report that they end up with 20/20 vision or higher after they have laser eye surgery. This means that you’ll be able to take in all of the sights in and around Hornsby.

2. Results Are Long Lasting

You’ll go through a minor stabilisation period after you have your laser eye surgery that lasts around three months. However, once this period is over, your results are permanent, barring the natural degeneration process that comes with aging. You won’t have to worry about follow up procedures unless the first procedure over or under-corrected your vision.

3. Quick Recovery Periods

Unlike other surgery, laser eye surgery has a very quick recovery period. Depending on your daily activities or where you work, you could return to your normal routine within one day, including driving. If you work in a dusty environment, it may take slightly longer to get back to your day to day activities, but it’s still a shorter recovery process than most surgical procedures.

4. Very Little or No Pain

Laser eye surgery is a minimally invasive procedure. Your ophthalmologist performs it on an outpatient basis while you’re still awake. On average, most patients report very little or no pain after they have laser eye surgery. They may experience some itching as the eye heals, which is more of an annoyance than actual pain.

5. Potential for Savings

If you wear contacts or glasses, you know how much they can cost you over the span of a year. Although laser eye surgery may cost you more upfront, it can help you save hundreds of dollars each year because you don’t have to buy contacts or update your current glasses prescription.

If you’re interested in laser eye surgery and you’re in the Hornsby area of Sydney, contact Dr. Moshegov at Eye Laser Surgery Hornsby by calling (02) 9230 0010 or send us an email at info@eyelasersurgerysydney.com.au. We look forward to hearing from you!

BOOK A FREE VISION CORRECTION ASSESSMENT

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Ophthalmologist Sydney – How to Choose an Eye Specialist

SEO North Sydney — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 05:36:39 +0000

An ophthalmologist Sydney eye examination is vital not only for an ageing population, but for anyone who does not have 20/20 vision.

Ophthalmologists are highly trained physicians who specialise in treating eye diseases, preserving vision, and helping patients maintain overall ocular health. They are qualified to carry out eye exams, diagnose degenerative eye diseases, and perform eye surgery. Finding the right ophthalmologist in Sydney can be confusing, especially if you aren’t sure what factors to consider.

Ophthalmologists – Why You Need One

Regular eye checkups are essential. Even if you have never worn glasses or used corrective lenses, your eyes will change with age. Failing to attend regular checkups may result in vision loss or blindness due to an undetected eye condition such as glaucoma that didn’t present noticeable symptoms until the damage was done.

Ophthalmologists can also address and correct vision difficulties such as cataracts, floaters, presbyopia, myopia, and astigmatism by performing specialised eye surgery. Procedures such as Lasik eye surgery may be performed to restore vision and clarity.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Ophthalmologist

When choosing an ophthalmologist, begin by considering your surgeon’s qualifications and medical experience. Your ophthalmologist Sydney eye surgeon should be a member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

Once you feel comfortable with your eye surgeon’s qualifications, you need to consider your eye health to discover prospective issues. A regular checkup is the first step to determining whether or not any corrective actions are necessary. Even if you don’t have a history of eye problems, your eye doctor can assess your ocular health during an examination and can prescribe a course of action to maintain your vision.

Ophthalmologists typically specialise in certain areas. For example, some are neuro-ophthalmologists while others focus on macular degeneration. You should choose the right eye specialist for your particular issues. Your optometrist or GP will refer you to a eye specialist such as Dr. Moshgov if an underlying eye condition is suspected.

Should I Visit an Optician Prior to Booking?

Opticians play a vital role in vision enhancement (glasses, contact lenses etc) and initial diagnosis, but they are not trained eye surgeons. If you have your vision checked on a fairly regular basis by an optometrist, you may still require the care of a more specialised eye doctor. The optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist Sydney eye specialist when they suspect your condition indicates a potential underlying problem.

A person who is suffering from correctable vision loss may not even realise how much of their vision has actually degenerated. Procedures such as cataract removal or laser eye surgery can make a huge difference in people’s day-to-day lives. And it is always better to diagnose an issue earlier rather than later.

How to Find a Sydney Ophthalmologist

If your optometrist or another doctor has not referred you to an ophthalmologist, then simply call Dr. Moshegov at the George Street Eye Laser Centre to book a no-obligation consultation on 02 9230 0011.

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4 Reasons Why Procedure Fees Vary Across Laser Eye Clinics

Brian M Logan — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 02:38:45 +0000

4 Reasons Why Procedure Fees Vary Across Laser Eye Clinics

If you’re considering laser eye surgery, you may have done the following:

Looked up the pros and cons online
Asked the advice of a health professional (or two)
Investigated popular clinics close to you to get a ballpark idea of procedure fees

After all, taking the plunge into such life-changing surgery is not a decision to be taken lightly.

However, most people are startled when they realise that procedure fees vary widely, and rightly so; we tend to naturally assume that a particular medical procedure costs a fixed amount, no matter the provider. Thus, many find it difficult to understand why there can be such a wide discrepancy between clinics.

To help explain why there can be such a difference in prices for the same procedure, here are the three most important things you must investigate before deciding upon a surgeon – and centre – for your treatment:

1. Does your health insurance contribute?

It may astonish some to realise that laser eye surgery is not automatically covered by one’s health insurance, even if the plan includes vision insurance. This is because the government classifies it as an elective procedure, hence the reason why Medicare rebates are not available for it either (unless you also qualify for cataract surgery).

Sometimes, a clinic may quote a lower price that reflects the total “out-of-pocket” expenses, which includes a projected reimbursement on behalf of your health insurance provider. In this case, it is wise to read the fine print at each clinic so that you have a clear understanding of how much they charge for the treatment, and what the cost covers.

2. Which equipment will be used?

Consider yourself warned: some clinics advertise extraordinarily large discounts for laser eye surgery. Although their offers appear attractive, not many of them will provide exactly the same procedure. In fact, there are several different methods and types of equipment that can be used in order to carry out the same treatment. To cut down on the cost for consumers, there are clinics that may use slightly older equipment or only partially use a laser when performing the surgery. Check to make sure that your surgeon, and your clinic, is planning to use the most modern techniques and technology to complete your treatment.

3. What about pre-operative, or post-operative care?

The total price of laser eye surgery often includes the cost of pre-operative consultations and post-operative appointments. However some clinics may purposely reduce the number and frequency of these additional meetings in order to provide a lower cost. Or, they may charge you for every visit afterwards. Finally, they may charge extra for any further attention required. Make sure you investigate the amount of ongoing care included with the procedure. As with any surgery, you must ensure that you have the full support of the clinic and its staff, whenever you need it.

4. Surgeon’s Expertise

Needless to say, a fresh clinic or newly qualified surgeon may well need to charge less to boost numbers in a freshly established practice. You should ask if the surgeon specializes in refractive surgery or just performs procedures occasionally in an otherwise busy general eye practice.

Click here for more information on Eye Laser Surgery Sydney or Lasik Surgery Sydney.

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Contact Lenses v Laser Eye Surgery – Which is Better?

Brian M Logan — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 06:11:35 +0000

Contact Lenses v Laser Eye Surgery – Which is Better?

If you regularly use contact lenses or other visual aids, you’ve probably considered taking the leap to get laser eye surgery performed instead. There are many who do. Who hasn’t dreamt of tossing away their contact lenses once and for all? At the very least, having laser eye surgery would mean not having to rush to the late-night chemist to pick up a bottle of contact lens solution after running out unexpectedly. And one would never again having to fumble around under a restaurant table for a lens that came out without warning. Usually on a first date!

What the Medical Research Says

Laser eye surgery can seem a daunting procedure to undertake. But before committing, let’s see if laser eye surgery is actually the right treatment for someone who wears contact lenses. After all, there are those who say that laser eye surgery is risky, or that there may still be some long-term deterioration of one’s vision after the operation. Contact lenses on the other hand, are often considered to be the “safer route” to correct one’s vision impairments, as they don’t require any invasive procedures.

Yet the actual truth of the debate is quite astonishing.

In 2006, U.S.-based ophthalmologist, William Mathers, MD, and his research team conducted an analysis of the data collected from several previous, large studies. They discovered that those who wear contact lenses have a far greater potential risk of damaging their long-term vision than those who do not.

Mathers found that, on average, 1 in 2,000 contact lens wearers ends up with long-term vision difficulties or damage from consistent use.

But how does that compare with those who have had laser eye surgery?

As it turns out, it compares very poorly. Because for those who chose to have laser eye surgery carried out, the incidence rate of long-term vision difficulties, according to Dr. Mathers’ study, dropped sharply to just 1 in 10,000.

This can come as quite a shock, as the eye laser surgery neigh-sayers persistently cling to the belief that contact lenses are safer than laser eye surgery. Yet the results of Dr. Mather’s study proved this hypothesis to be inaccurate.

It’s always worth keeping in mind that contact lenses only manage to reduce the symptoms of vision impairment, whereas laser eye surgery actually stops the downward slide into vision loss, and improves vision on a long-term scale. LASIK eye surgery in particular has allowed 90.8% of patients to achieve 20/20 vision, and 99.5% to attain 20/40 vision[1]. Which is nothing short of remarkable.

Laser Eye Surgery is the Perfect Choice for Improving Your Vision

Laser eye surgery, and LASIK in particular, has been performed on more than 10 million eyes worldwide. Adopted into practice way back in 1989, the technique and the technology supporting it have continued to evolve in the last decade and a half. And today the procedure is not only totally safe, but surprisingly simple and non-invasive.

To book your obligation free appointment with Australia’s leading ophthalmologist, Dr. Con Moshegov, simply call the Macquarie Street surgery on: 02 9230 0010.

Click here for more Laser Eye Surgery Sydney information.

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Wavefront-Guided Myopic Femto-LASIK Based on Measurements With a New Hartmann-Shack Aberrometer

Brian M Logan — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 09:41:21 +0000

Evaluating Ocular Aberrometic Outcomes

We evaluated the visual, refractive and ocular aberrometric outcomes after wavefront-guided (WFG) laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for the correction of myopia using an excimer laser platform with Iris Registration (IR) technology (STAR S4IR excimer laser, Abbott Medical Optics, Santa Ana, CA, USA) and combined with a new Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor (iDesign aberrometer, Abbott Medical Optics, Santa Ana, CA, USA) capturing 1250 data points from a 7.0-mm pupil and using Fourier reconstruction for aberration data. Specifically, we conducted a prospective case series study including 92 eyes of 46 patients with ages between 22 and 46 years and undergoing WFG femto-LASIK for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism using the Advanced CustomVue platform that combines the excimer laser and the new Hartmann-Shack aberrometer as previously mentioned. Mean preoperative manifest sphere and cylinder were 2.81 ± 2.27 D (range, +0.75 to −10.25 D) and −1.22 ± 1.14 D (range, −4.00 to −0.12 D), respectively. In all cases, corneal flaps were created using the iFS femtosecond laser (Abbott Medical Optics, Inc). The visual, refractive and ocular aberrometric outcomes were evaluated during a 3-month follow-up period.

20/20 Vision 3 Month Post-Operative

At 3 months after surgery, the percentage of eyes that achieved 20/20, 20/25 and 20/40 uncorrected distance visual acuity were 90%, 92% and 99%, respectively (Fig. 1). Postoperative manifest spherical equivalent was within 0.5 D and 1.0 D of emmetropia in 96.7% and 100% of cases, respectively. There were no eyes with a loss of two or more lines of corrected distance visual acuity. These results are consistent with those reported recently by Schallhorn et al.1 using the same technology and also for myopic eyes. Likewise, our visual and refractive outcomes are similar and sometimes better than those reported for myopic WFG-LASIK by a great variety of authors with the last generation of excimer laser platforms.2,3 The combination of the STAR S4IR excimer laser with the new aberrometry technology used in the current series seems to optimize the efficacy and especially the predictability of WFG-LASIK compared to the previous version of such technology.2,4 It should be noted that this new aberrometer is the result of the refinement of a previous Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor, the WaveScan, with a lower sampling ability and without Fourier data reconstruction.

Besides visual and refractive outcomes, ocular aberrometric changes were also evaluated. To date, this is the first study evaluating the aberrometric outcomes of WFG-LASIK using the evaluated technology. Mean change in higher order aberration (HOA) root mean square and primary spherical aberration (5-mm pupil) was +0.04 ± 0.09 μm (P < 0.01) and +0.01 ± 0.06 μm (P = 0.42), respectively. This change in primary spherical aberration was lower than that reported by some authors evaluating the aberrometric changes after WFG-LASIK for the correction of a similar range of myopic refractive errors and the same pupil of analysis.5,6 Khalifa and colleagues6 found in a sample of myopic eyes with spherical equivalent ranging from −6.63 to 0.00 D that the mean change in spherical aberration after WFG-LASIK using the STAR S4 excimer laser combined with a previous aberrometer version (Wavescan) was 0.18 μm (6-mm pupil).

In conclusion, WFG-LASIK using the STARS4 excimer laser platform with IR technology and combined with a new Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor capturing 1250 data points from a 7.0-mm pupil and using Fourier reconstruction for aberration data is safe, predictable and efficacious for the correction of myopia or myopic astigmatism. This precise level of correction is combined with a preservation of the quality of ocular optics, maintaining postoperative HOA within a physiological range. A longer follow-up is necessary to study other aspects of surgery, such as refractive stability and change in visual symptoms with time.

Con N Moshegov FRANZCO1,2 and Sara Skaf BHlthSc MClinVisSc1
1Ophthalmology, Private Practice and 2University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Received 17 September 2014; accepted 18 September 2014.

Eye Surgery References

1. Schallhorn S, Brown M, Venter J, Teenan D, Hettinger K, Yamamoto H. Early clinical outcomes of wavefrontguided myopic LASIK treatments using a newgeneration hartmann-shack aberrometer. J Refract Surg 2014; 30: 14–21.

2. Shaheen MS, Massoud TH, Ezzeldin H, Khalifa MA.
Four-year visual, refractive, and contrast sensitivity outcomes after wavefront-guided myopic LASIK using an advanced excimer laser platform. J Refract Surg 2013; 29: 816–22.

3. Feng Y, Yu J, Wang Q. Meta-analysis of wavefrontguided vs. wavefront-optimized LASIK for myopia.Optom Vis Sci 2011; 88: 1463–9.

4. Zhang J, Zhou YH, Li R, Tian L. Visual performance after conventional LASIK and wavefront-guided LASIK with iris-registration: results at 1 year. Int J Ophthalmol 2013; 6: 498–504.

5. Taneri S, Oehler S, MacRae SM. Aspheric wavefrontguided versus wavefront-guided LASIK for myopic astigmatism with the Technolas 217z100 excimer laser. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2013; 251: 609–16.

6. Khalifa MA, Allam WA, Shaheen MS. Visual outcome after correcting the refractive error of large pupil patients with wavefront-guided ablation. Clin Ophthalmol 2012; 6: 2001–11.

Click here for more information about: Laser Eye Surgery Sydney.

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What Is iDesign?

Brian M Logan — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 09:40:06 +0000

Macquarie Street Eye Laser Centre has incorporated the latest refinement to the LASIK procedure available.

Its called iDesign and is used in association with iLASIK.

What does iDesign do in LASIK Eye Surgery?

It’s a way of measuring the eye before treating it to get rid of any spectacle error present.

Because it uses more ‘data points’ than older instruments, it gives a more accurate assessment of the eye in planning for it to be able to see without the need for contact lenses or glasses.

Components of iDesign

iDesign consists of a type of camera, called an aberrometer, which uses lights to determine little imperfections in the visual system.

Every eye is very unique in that regard. So it’s like a ‘fingerprint’ of a particular eye. When the short-sightedness, or long-sightedness, or astigmatism are treated by laser in iLASIK these unique imperfections are ironed out at the same time.

Better vision!

iDesign Refines LASIK Eye Surgery

In modern LASIK a laser is used to make a very thin ‘flap’ in the cornea of the eye. The flap is gently lifted from the cornea.

Another laser then reshapes the underlying cornea to the shape that has been programmed into it.

In standard lasik the surgeon and orthoptists ‘tell’ it what shape is to be sculpted. With iDesign the iDesgn machine ‘tells’ the laser what shape that it is to be.

Put another way, the iDesign is the new ‘brain’ of the system which works out what needs to be done.

However, its’ not a black box that just does it and doesn’t tell the doctor what’s being done. It informs the operator about EXACLTY what is planned so there can be no surprises.

Anyway, once the treatment is lasered onto the cornea, the flap is but back and the operation is over.

Is iDesign Treatment Safe?

Still as safe as ever.

Still giving people freedom from contact lenses and glasses. But, just more precise.

To give you an idea, with iDesign treatments of myopia, at 3 months after surgery, the percentage of eyes that achieved 20/20, 20/25 and 20/40 uncorrected distance visual acuity were 90%, 92% and 99%, respectively. Eyes were within 0.5 D and 1.0 D of a zero prescription (which is what we want) in 96.7% and 100% of cases, respectively.

iDesign gives contact lens and spectacle wearers the freedom they want.

Click here for more information about: Laser Eye Surgery Sydney.

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Common Eye Diseases

Brian M Logan — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 09:36:17 +0000

There are several common eye diseases in all age groups, below are some of the most common eye problems:

In children: blocked tear ducts, turn in the eyes (crossed eyes) and conjunctivitis.
In young adults: allergic eye disease, conjunctivitis, chalazions.
In older patients: cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration and floaters.
In ALL age groups: refractive error (need to wear glasses).
Most general ophthalmologists would see patients over the age of 50 or 60.

Therefore, the most common eye diseases are cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration and floaters.

How Often Should You Have an Eye Examination

Who should I get eyes tested for common eye diseases? Well, probably everyone over the age of 45 should have an eye examination by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist every 2 years. However, if there are risk factors or symptoms, then more often is needed. For example, if there is a family history of glaucoma, if you have diabetes, or if you have a poor diet or smoke, then you should have your eyes examined every year.

Can anything be done about these conditions? Absolutely!

That’s the reason we should have regular eye tests. Apart from anything, we live in an era of ‘preventative’ medicine. We try and prevent these eye diseases from setting in.

The other side of it is that we can treat all of them. The earlier we catch them, the less involved is the treatment and the more successful the results.

Cataracts Removal Procedures

Cataract removal procedures are much quicker and safer these days then they have ever been. Not only can cataracts be removed but people can be made to be a lot less spectacle dependent with the procedure.

Glaucoma Treatment

Medications to treat glaucoma have come along way. Now, drops with minimal side effects, often which only need to be used once or twice a day, usually control the condition.

I’m a fan of laser called SLT: this is an alternative to drops in mild cases of glaucoma and takes away the need to remember to put the drops in.

Macular Degeneration Treatment

Macular degeneration can be treated with medications placed into the eye.

Treating Floaters with Laser

Something not too many people know about is the treatment of floaters with laser. There are many people out there that have floaters but are told they don’t require treatment. It IS true that treatment is not essential. However, if they are a real bother then treatment that’s non surgical and very safe is now available.

Summary: our eyes are very precious and we should care for them. There are common conditions affecting them that can be detected early with eye testing and treated with modern, safe and painless techniques.

Click here for more information about the Six Common Types of Eye Diseases Explained.

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Floaters Causes and Their Treatment

Brian M Logan — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 09:33:58 +0000

Floaters are dark, variably shaped, objects which can be seen by people against a bright background. They are very, very common.

They see objects that resemble flies, mosquitoes, maybe cobwebs or strings, sometimes comma shaped other times very elaborate in shape against a whitish wall or a bright blue sky and they can actually be seen to move with eye movements.

Sometimes people think they are going crazy as they imagine these objects are in front of them!

Floaters Causes

Floaters are caused by the aggregation of proteins in the vitreous or the ‘gel’ of the eye. They can present suddenly or be longstanding. If they present suddenly… it’s usually due to something called a posterior vitreous detachment. That’s the natural separation of the gel of the eye from the back part of the eye called the retina.

Often people say they can see ‘flashes’ of light as well. Especially at night (when it’s dark).

It is not to be confused with a retinal detachment which is much more serious.

People Who Encounter Floaters

Some people don’t see their floaters at all. whereas some people see them only if they look hard for them. For these people nothing is needed. However, some people have prominent floaters that can be very close to the centre of the visual axis and be very bothersome. Some people are distracted by them when using a computer monitor or reading. Others can’t even drive without being distracted by them.

They can be a real nuisance.

Floaters Treatment

It has been said that there is nothing you can do about them. However that is not true. There has been an operation available for many years called a vitrectomy. This removes floaters.

However, it’s an operation. An operation which has risks of problems in the eye.

New Procedure for Floaters

Now there is a new procedure for floaters called YAG laser vitreolysis.

A laser, called the Ultra Q Reflex is shone into the eye directly at the floaters and the floaters are vaporised. ‘Dissolved’ if you like.

Listeners will be interested to know that the laser is an Australian invention.

It’s made in Adelaide by a company called Ellex and Adelaide exports them to many countries of the world. Including the US and Germany (these are the countries we often associate with advanced laser technology). So it’s quite amazing!

No procedure is without risk. However, because there is no surgery, that is, there are no cuts made in the eye, no holes into the eye, no scalpels, no needles so there is no risk of infection or haemorrhage and those other potential problems associated with surgery.

Ulltra Q Reflex Laser

If people have troublesome floaters, they should know that there is now an noninvasive option available to them: the Ultra Q reflex laser from Ellex (Australia).

More information is available on: www.ellex.com (this is not Dr Moshegov’s website).

Click here for more information about: Laser Eye Surgery Sydney.

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The History of iLasik Eye Surgery

Brian M Logan — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 09:16:41 +0000

If you wear glasses, you’ve no doubt heard of Laser Eye Surgery, and wondered if it’s right for you.

Technically, this procedure is known as LASIK, or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. The name of the procedure is made up of a mixture of English (laser-assisted), Latin (in situ, which means ‘in its place’) and a medical term that has its basis in Greek (kerat is Greek for cornea, and smileusis means ‘to carve’).

What Does Lasik Surgery Do?

To put it very simply, the LASIK procedure involves an ophthalmologist using a laser to reshape the cornea to give you better vision. But this is a history of iLASIK eye surgery, not just LASIK eye surgery. So what does the ‘i’ in iLASIK denote exactly?

What is iLasik Surgery?

The ‘i’ in iLASIK stands for IntraLase Femtosecond Laser. This is an advanced, high-speed precision-controlled laser that is used to create the corneal flap in laser eye surgery with a greater degree of safety and precision than a traditional blade-based microkeratome.

That probably needs a little explaining too. So let’s go a little deeper into the history of laser eye surgery itself.

The Beginning of Eye Laser Surgery

The notion that reshaping the cornea could help correct refractive errors and improve vision dates back (believe it or not) to the late 1800s, where a process called radial keratotomy involved making small incisions in the corneal surface, causing it to flatten and change the focus. Though it had moderately good success in treating myopia, results were not always predictable.

Introducing the Microkeratome

Fast forward to the late 1940s, where the Columbian ophthalmologist Dr José Ignacio Barraquer Moner developed the keratomileusis (cornea shaping) technique. He used a surgical instrument with an oscillating precision blade called a microkeratome to remove thin slices from the top level of the cornea and a cryolathe to reshape the middle layer. Once the cornea had been reshaped, the top layers that had been removed were reattached and left to heal.

In the 1950s, the technique was refined further. Using a microkeratome, the top layer was only partly detached, creating a small flap that could be hinged back during the procedure. The cornea was then reshaped, and the flap was then put back in place (in situ) where it fitted very neatly and healed very quickly.

Eye Laser Technology Evolves

In the 1980s, it was discovered that an ultraviolet excimer laser – a laser that had originally been developed in the 1970s for precision etching of microelectronic devices – could also be used in precision surgical procedures.

This led to the technique called photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) where, with the assistance of a laser, the ophthalmologist was able to sculpt and reshape the cornea with an incredibly high degree of accuracy. Instead of cutting a flap however, the procedure was performed on the top layer of the cornea. Though a successful procedure, the irritation to the top layer of the cornea meant the patient had a long and often uncomfortable healing time.

The Introduction of LASIK

In the 1990s, the two techniques were combined, and LASIK was born. A microkeratome was used to create a thin corneal flap, and the cornea was then shaped using the computer-controlled excimer laser. This combined the precision benefits of the laser sculpting, and the fast healing of the cornea.

By 1999 the LASIK system enjoyed an incredibly high level of success and quickly became one of the most popular elective procedures, with very few complications. However the few complications that did occur were usually as a result of the manual cutting of the flap, using the surgical blade, or microkeratome.

iLASIK Eye Surgery – Even Better Than LASIK

Enter iLASIK – a bladeless, all-laser computer-controlled technique. With iLASIK, the corneal flap is created using a high speed Femtosecond Laser that helps eliminate the complications that can arise using the microkeratome. This is combined with sophisticated Customvue imaging software using advanced wavefront technology which precisely maps the contours and aberrations of each individual eye. This allows the surgeon to minutely control the laser during surgery (as opposed to a pre-programmed microkeratome) which ensures the highest degree of safety, accuracy and effectiveness.

iLasik – as Used By NASA and the US Navy

iLASIK is a popular, safe and sophisticated procedure that has been used to improve the vision of over one million people worldwide. Need more convincing? Both NASA and the US Navy use iLASIK vision correction for their astronauts and top gun fighter pilots – a clear endorsement indeed!

And in the safe hands of Dr. Con Moshegov, Sydney’s leading iLasik specialist, iLasik has never been safer or more affordable.

Click here for more eye laser surgery Sydney information.

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