If you are considering LASIK laser vision correction, you have come to the right place. Here at Jacksonville Eye Center, we take special care, right from your very first visit at our practice. We want you to be very comfortable and educated about vision correction, your options and how it works. One thing you will notice that is different from most LASIK practices is that your surgeon will perform all tests and evaluations, not our staff or technicians. We feel that it is critical that the surgeon himself performs the evaluation. At the Jacksonville Eye Center Dr. Schnipper evaluates all potential patients.
If you are ready for clear vision with LASIK below are some guidelines
Generally, if all of the following apply to you, you may be a good candidate for LASIK:
- At least 21 years
- No severe diabetic eye disease or severe glaucoma
- Stable glasses' prescription for one year
- Have a prescription from -11.00 diapers of nearsightedness up to +6.00 of farsightedness, or astigmatism of up to 6.00 diopters.
- Are not pregnant
Important!
If you have been told in the past that you are not a candidate for LASIK, this may no longer be the case! Advancements in technology allow Dr. Schnipper at the Jacksonville Eye Center to treat a wider range of patients due to our advanced blade-free LASIK technology.
Click here to schedule your Free LASIK Consultation today!
What is LASIK?
LASIK, or In-Situ Keratomileusis is the most commonly performed refractive surgery to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Millions around the World have already discovered that LASIK will give them clear vision and freedom from glasses and contacts. At the Jacksonville Eye Center, Dr. Robert Schnipper, uses the latest LASIK blade free laser vision technology to provide patients from virtually every corner of the world clear vision without glasses.
How the procedure Works
After Dr. Schnipper has determined that you are a candidate for LASIK and your pre-operative evaluation has been completed, you are ready to have LASIK procedure. On the day of the procedure your eyes will be numbed with anesthetic drops, and you will be given valium to help calm your nerves prior to being escorted into the LASIK suite. First, Dr. Schnipper applies a suction ring that will hold your eye steady and maintains a constant pressure. Dr. Schnipper then will create a thin corneal flap using a blade free device called the Intralase Femtosecond laser. Dr. Schnipper then lifts the corneal flap and applies the Allegretto Wavelight excimer laser to the exposed interior surface of the cornea. The computer-controlled excimer laser removes a predetermined amount of tissue under the corneal flap on a microscopic level to reshape the cornea. The flap is then repositioned over the treated area and the procedure is finished. The corneal flap serves a natural bandage, which eliminates the discomfort associated with other types of refractive surgery, and speeds up the healing process.
Our Technology
Dr. Schnipper and the Jacksonville Eye Center are pleased to offer patients the latest LASIK technology available. The use of the Intralase IFS 150 Advanced Femtosecond laser for the corneal flap creates safer LASIK surgery than the procedure that uses a blade. Eyes treated with the IntraLase Femtosecond have, less pain, and less dryness than eyes treated with the traditional blade microkeratome. The IntraLase procedure is a safer procedure and results in superior visual outcomes. We keep the safety of our patients a number one priority, therefore we provide the best proven LASIK flap creation technology available.
How does the Intralase create the flap?
The Intralase LASIK flap creation method is different from the use of the traditional microkeratome blade. The IntraLase laser technology is able to precisely program the dimensions of your flap based on the specifications of your eyes. The laser creates the LASIK flap from below the surface of the cornea without cutting the surface; this process is performed in a series of steps listed below:
- Super fast pulses of laser light position microscopic bubbles at a precise depth predetermined by Dr. Schnipper.
- The laser light passes harmlessly through your cornea, creating rows of bubbles just below your corneal surface, as it moves back and forth across your eye in a uniform plane.
- Next, the IntraLase Laser stacks the bubbles around your corneal diameter to create the edges of your flap; the bubbles are stacked at an angle determined by Dr. Schnipper and is individualized to the shape of your eye.
- Dr. Schnipper then gently lifts the LASIK flap to allow for the second step of your LASIK eye surgery.
- In this second step, the excimer laser is used to reshape the corneal tissue required to correct your vision.
- Once the surgery is complete, the LASIK flap is gently placed back into position and the healing process begins; the flaps created with the IntraLase laser have been shown to be 2.5 times stronger than flaps created with a blade.
If you are seeking Blade-free LASIK, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Schnipper at the Jacksonville Eye Center for an evaluation.
Allegretto Wave Excimer Laser
Are you considering LASIK Laser Vision Correction? There is no better time than now to join the nearly 30 million people worldwide who are already enjoying the improved quality of sight and quality of life. Dr. Schnipper and the Jacksonville Eye Center are pleased to offer Allegretto Wave® technology to our patients. The Allegretto Wave is an advanced excimer laser that gently removes corneal tissue on a molecular level.
There are vast differences in excimer lasers that are used in LASIK. The Wavelight Allegretto Wave® excimer laser is perhaps the most advanced and safest laser system available in the United States. Wavefront optimization is programmed directly into the laser itself, which improves night vision and increases the accuracy and safety of the procedure.
Operating at 200 HZ, the Allegretto Wave® is one of the fastest excimer laser systems available in the United States, treating one diopter of correction in only four seconds. An average treatment will take no more than 10-12 seconds of laser time – in many cases even less.
Today, patients want better vision than they have with glasses and contact lenses. They want to improve their quality of vision, especially at night. Patients also want to have better depth perception and contrast sensitivity. The Allegretto Wave® laser was engineered to consider the natural shape of the human eye, aiming to improve what nature originally designed. The Wavefront optimized treatment considers the unique curvature and biomechanics of the eye, preserving quality of vision and addressing the spherical distortions that can induce glare and may affect night vision.
The Allegretto Wave® relies on PerfectPulse Technology® to accurately control the energy level and exact placement of every laser pulse as it reaches the eye. The high-speed active eye-tracker tracks the eye 200 times per second, following even the fastest eye movements during treatment. If the eye moves out of range, the procedure pauses until the eye returns to a treatment position.