Wavelight Press Release
Georgia Eye Institute First To Bring All-Laser
LASIK Technology To Benefit Savannah Area Patients
January 30, 2014 – AUGUSTA, GA…In an effort to enhance the safety, precision and comfort of LASIK – and help reduce patient fear and anxiety – LASIK specialist Elizabeth Miller, MD and the Georgia Eye Institute are introducing the first all-laser LASIK procedure in the Savannah region. The LASIK procedure will feature the combination of the Wavelight Allegretto Excimer Laser and FS 200 Femtosecond Laser, which is the first laser system designed specifically to perform LASIK.
“My colleagues and I are extremely proud to bring this all-laser LASIK technology to the Savannah region,” said Dr. Miller. “The Wavelight LASIK system is truly state-of-the-art and allows us to take an already safe and effective procedure and bring it to the next level,” she said.“The all-laser method of LASIK is becoming the gold standard of care worldwide and Georgia Eye Institute has always taken great pride in offering our patients leading edge ophthalmic care.”
The WavelightExcimer/ FS200 Femtosecond Laser is the first laser suite designed specifically to perform LASIK. The FS200 gives surgeons complete control for personalized treatment, precise, predictable procedures and the most consistent results. The Wavelight laser features Perfect Pulse laser technology and a high speed tracking system that makes it one of the safest, most precise and effective optical lasers currently available.
“Our advanced laser system is designed to treat a wider range of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, which allows us to customize a treatment plan based on each patient’s specific needs,” Dr. Miller pointed out. “As refractive surgeons, we are always researching ways to improve refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Our new laser system allows us to do that with increased levels of safety, precision and accuracy.”
LASIK is a two-step process that includes making a thin protective flap on the surface of the cornea, which is gently lifted to allow the surgeon to treat the underlying corneal tissue. In the past, a mechanical instrument known as a microkeratome was used to create the protective flap. Although safe and effective, the microkeratome cannot provide the accuracy and precision attained by the FS200 Femtosecond laser. “We’re now able to create a custom flap to the specific needs of a patient in only a few seconds,” said Dr. Miller.“A flap created with the FS200 heals more securely than a flap created by the traditional microkeratome blade, resulting in a flap that is stronger and more resistant to injury.”
Dr. Miller is confident her new method of LASIK will help alleviate some of the patients’ fears and anxiety about having LASIK. She said LASIK patients are awake and comfortable during the entire procedure. The first step in the LASIK process takes less than 30 seconds to create the flap and the actual laser treatment takes only seconds as well.
To go along with the speed and accuracy of our new procedure, the Wavelight system is also equipped with one of the fastest multi-dimensional eye trackers in the world. “Our new eye-tracking technology is able to track eye movement at an amazing 1,050 times per second,” said Dr. Miller. “This is ten times faster than the human eye is capable of moving,” she said, adding, “this advanced tracking insures the most precise delivery of treatment and perfectly complements the speed of the laser.This allows us to ensure the laser spots are placed exactly where they need to be.”
The Wavelight suite is a major advancement in LASIK. The speed, accuracy and safety allows Georgia Eye Institute the ability to expand treatment capabilities, enhancement current treatments, broaden the range of correction and provide the ultimate in safety and outcomes to all patients in the greater Savannah and surrounding areas.
Georgia Eye Institute is one of the leading comprehensive ophthalmic centers in the south. They’ve been caring for the eyes of Savannah for more than two decades and offer patients convenient access at 13 are locations. Their main office is located at 4720 Waters Avenue, Savannah, GA. Their list of services include: LASIK laser vision correction, cataract removal and lens implantation, treatment for diabetic eye disease, glaucoma management, ocluloplastics, full-service optical and contact lens fitting. For more information, contact Kathy Hegan at 912-629-5964.