IQ Lasik Blog.com

One of the most common questions we hear is: “Will I have perfect 20/20 vision after having LASIK?”

This is a very good question about the LASIK procedure, and the answer depends on your best correctable visual acuity.
When you have a complimentary consultation at IQ Laser Vision, we will gather data about your eyes including: visual acuity, refraction, measurement of current glasses, biomicroscopy, infrared pupillometry (measurement of nighttime pupil size), pachymetry (measurement of corneal thickness), corneal topography (using two different systems to measure both anterior and posterior surfaces), and if applicable, wavefront analysis.
Based on these findings, Dr. Robert T Lin will select the best treatment for your eyes. He will take as much time as necessary to thoroughly understand your expectations and explain the risks and benefits of the procedure.

Some of our patients achieve better than 20/20 vision! That’s right, it is actually possible for some patients to actually achieve better than 20/20 vision!

Most patients achieve their full desired visual acuity. If the desired visual acuity is not achieved, an enhancement procedure is usually performed three months after the initial procedure.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the LASIK procedure. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (626) 854-2020 or at DrLin@IQLaserVision.com.

I am often asked the very important question, “What is MICRO-LASIK®?”

Let me take a few minutes to explain exactly what MICRO-LASIK® is, describe the MICRO-LASIK® procedure, and describe the Advantages of MICRO-LASIK®.

The MICRO-LASIK® Procedure:
After your eye has been completely numbed using “eye drop” anesthesia, an eyelid holder will be placed between your eyelids to prevent you from blinking.

Next, an instrument known as a microkeratome makes a protective flap in the cornea. During this process you may feel a little pressure, but no discomfort. You will be asked to look directly at a target light while the laser reshapes the cornea, usually in less than a minute. Then, the protective flap is folded back in place where it bonds securely without the need for stitches. After LASIK, some patients report a slight discomfort that usually goes away within twelve to twenty-four hours.

Advantages of MICRO-LASIK®
To improve the safety of your refractive procedure, Dr. Lin has developed a technique called, “MICRO-LASIK®”. He has performed over 11,000 procedures using MICRO-LASIK® and has published and lectured on this technique nationally.

With MICRO-LASIK®, corneal flaps are almost 50% thinner than flaps created by other microkeratomes. A thinner flap means there is more cornea tissue under the flap, to give the cornea strength. Patients will benefit from this extra margin of safety, especially those patients with larger pupils and higher refractive errors, because more corneal tissue needs to be treated. The extra corneal tissue available with MICRO-LASIK® allows Dr. Lin greater flexibility in treating your eyes, and can reduce side effects such as halos, cornea ectasia and dry eyes. Dr. Lin’s MICRO-LASIK® results are superior to most published LASIK results.

When the pupil is large, a larger optical zone should be used to decrease glare and halos at night. Therefore, more corneal tissue will be removed. Currently most surgeons agree that the residual cornea should be at least 250 to 300 microns (µm=1/1000th mm). With LASIK a 180 micron flap is usually created so we are unable to safely utilize the 6.5mm optical zone.

With MICRO-LASIK®, a 100 micron flap is created, so we are able to use a 6.5mm optical zone. More residual cornea is available to give the cornea strength after reducing side effects using MICRO-LASIK®.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about MICRO-LASIK®. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (626) 854-2020 or at DrLin@IQLaserVision.com.