Lasek and Epi-Lasik

Dr. Giyaur is one of very few eye surgeons in New York to exclusively offer the more advanced, safer, non-cutting, all-laser LASEK procedures.  LASEK was developed in 1999 to make laser vision correction surgery safer and more accessible to patients.  There is absolutely no cutting involved in this procedure, so our patients never have flap-related complications!

We use the best and latest equipment for pre-testing. All the pre-testing is done by Dr. Giyaur herself, not by technicians.

We use the latest laser: VISX S4 IR laser.  This laser has treated more patients than all other brands combined.  Its Iris Registration technology (same technology used in high-tech security eye scanners) provides for greater accuracy and precision optimizing customized wavefront or high-definition laser treatments.

CareCredit for vision

We’re pleased to offer our patients the CareCredit® card, North America's leading patient payment program. CareCredit lets you begin your procedure immediately — then pay for it over time with low monthly payments that fit easily into your monthly budget. Now you don’t have to save up for years to finally get the vision you’ve always wanted.

Like a credit card, but better

CareCredit cards work just like a regular credit card, but is exclusive for healthcare services. CareCredit offers low monthly payment plans for healthcare procedures not commonly covered by insurance, including LASIK.

Learn more by visiting CareCredit.com or contacting our office. Ready to apply? Apply online for your CareCredit card today.

What is Lasek and Epi-Lasik

LASEK and Epi-Lasik are newer surgeries that combine many of the benefits of older vision correction surgeries with lower complication rates.

Laser epithelial keratomileusis, or LASEK, and Epi-Lasik combine benefits of the two older and most commonly performed laser vision correction procedures – LASIK and PRK.   These laser eye surgeries are used to treat astigmatism, nearsightedness or farsightedness.

What are the advantages of the new, non-cutting LASEK / Epi-Lasik Laser Eye Surgery?

LASEK and Epi-Lasik eye surgeries have significant advantages over the older procedures.  Both of these procedures do not involve cutting a flap into your cornea, which results in:   

• No flap complications:  These procedures are ten times safer than old LASIK, since all complications associated with cutting and reattaching the flap in the cornea are eliminated.
• High prescriptions:  No flap technology saves corneal tissue, so higher prescriptions can be treated.
• Less Dry Eye:  LASEK laser eye surgery causes dry eye less frequently than LASIK laser eye surgery since no corneal nerves are cut (corneal nerves are cut during LASIK when the flap is created).
• Large pupils: Glare and halos at night, caused by seeing the edge of a flap when pupil dilates in the dark, are eliminated.

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How are LASEK and Epi-Lasik done?

LASEK is an all-laser procedure.  Instead of creating a flap, Dr. Giyaur, uses a diluted solution to soften a few layers of epithelial cells that cover the surface of the cornea (clear tissue in the front of the eye).  After a few seconds, these layers are soft enough to be gently pushed aside.  In Epi-Lasik , an automated machine with a blunt plastic separator is used to push aside these cells.

Our advanced VISX laser is used to precisely reshape the corneal surface using a cool laser beam.

At the end of the procedure, Dr. Giyaur will place a clear bandage contact lens on your eye to let the epithelial cells heal.  These cells act just like cells covering your skin and are constantly regenerating, so your cornea will heal in just a few days! 

The bandage contact lens will stay for a few days to help with the healing process.  During those days (usually over the weekend), we recommend that you take it easy and get lots of rest. Relax and sleep!  This will enhance the healing process.

You will return to us on Monday to have your bandage contact lens removed so you can return to work on Tuesday.  The great majority of patients have 20/20 vision within a few days.  Your vision will continue to improve over the next 2-3 months, and most patients will eventually see better than 20/20!

High Definition Vision or CustomVue Treatments

Also known as Custom LASEK or Custom Wavefront LASEK, this treatment replaces the “one treatment fits all” belief with a procedure that is tailored to the precise optics of the eye. While standard laser eye treatment (without Wavefront guidance) gives very high quality results for the majority of patients, many patients’ eyes are not considered standard.  Wavefront-guided LASEK adjusts to precisely correct the individual physical and optical characteristics for each eye.  

Dr. Giyaur uses WaveScan to precisely map out minute imperfections of each patient’s cornea.  Each WaveScan is unique, just like a fingerprint.  This information is transferred to the VISX laser and then used to precisely treat your cornea and correct those minute imperfections (called aberrations).  The resulting treatment is 25x more accurate than your eyeglasses prescription!

Wavefront and Night Time Vision

Wavefront is a big advantage to those with large pupils and poor night time vision. The optical performance of the eye is measured at each and every place on the cornea, including the part that is used when the pupil is large. Laser treatment is then programmed to each tiny part of the corneal surface so that every area of the cornea receives the optimized dosage. Contrast sensitivity in low lighting is increased, and the risk of developing nighttime halos and glare is greatly decreased.

Who can be treated with LASEK/Epi-Lasik ?

Since no flap is cut and more corneal tissue is preserved, higher prescriptions can be treated:

• Myopia (Nearsightedness): Up to –14.00 D
• Hyperopia (Farsightedness): Up to +9.00 D
• Astigmatism: Up to 5.00 D
• Presbyopia (need for reading glasses): Up to +2.00 D

I am interested in the LASEK/Epi-Lasik procedure – What should I do next?

Call us or request your appointment online for your LASEK consultation and to see if you are a good candidate for Laser Vision Correction. Please bring all your contacts, glasses, or prescriptions to your appointment.  During your visit, Dr. Giyaur will discuss the procedure with you at length, answer all your questions, and examine your eyes in detail.  She will determine whether you are a good candidate to get LASEK/ Epi-Lasik and CustomVue LASEK.   We will also discuss financing options with you.  Please inquire about our special interest free, no-fee financing plans. 

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