Laser In Situ Keratomileusis, most commonly know as LASIK, is the most common surgical procedure for correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Because of its safety, stability, and quick visual recovery, millions of people undergo LASIK every year.

How It Works

Your cornea, the clear dome that overlies the colored part of your eye, is responsible for approximately two-thirds of your eye's light focusing ability. When the shape of your cornea does not match the length and shape of the rest of your eye, you have refractive error, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Glasses and contact lenses are effective in correcting these refractive errors, but each have their limitations and shortcomings.

After some mild oral sedation, your receive a topical numbing eye drop. You are positioned under the laser, and your eyelids are gently held open, so you don't have to worry about blinking. A sophisticated instrument called a microkeratome is used to create a corneal flap, which is key to the rapid healing process.

The laser is locked onto your iris. In seconds, the laser reshapes your corneal to the desired curvature. The flap is repositioned. Drops that prevent infection and inflammation are then placed on your eye. No eye patch is needed, but eye shields are placed for the first day. You are in and out of the surgical suite in less than 15 minutes.

The laser is an 193 nm Excimer Laser, a highly precise "cold" laser, your cornea is reshaped 0.25 micron--that's 1/4000th of a millimeter or 1/100,000th of an inch--per pulse! Such incredible precision allows for great flexibility and customization for each eye of each patient. Coupling this with advanced wavefront technology, you can truly have a personalized treatment.

Quality Laser Vision Correction

Dr. Daniel Chang performs LASIK with the VISX Star S4 laser with Iris Registration, the most advanced laser technology platform available today. This state-of-the-art fourth-generation laser employs Variable Spot Scanning (VSS) and Variable Repetition Rate (VRR) to deliver beam sizes from 0.65 mm to 6.5 mm at varying repetition rates, resulting in optimized times. Additionally, ActiveTrak 3-D Active Eye Tracking with Iris Registration captures all 3 dimensions of intra-operative eye movements and uses the structure of the iris to provide cyclorotational and centrational alignment. All this means precise outcomes and peace-of-mind. No wonder the VISX Star S4 laser is being used at the U.S. Naval Medical Center to treat Naval aviators--the "Top Gun" pilots who need superior vision to make aircraft carrier landings.

What Makes Empire Eye and Laser Center Different

At Empire Eye and Laser Center, we are committed to the best surgical results with the best quality of care. Dr. Chang understands that even when performing LASIK with the most advanced lasers and technologies, meticulous attention to detail is still of utmost importance. Starting with your initial Refractive Consult, Dr. Chang will go over your visual goals and expectations. He will carefully explain the entire process to you in words that you can understand, and he will give you ample opportunity to ask questions. Dr. Chang believes that good patient-surgeon communication is the cornerstone of a positive and memorable surgical experience.

Dr. Chang and his staff will perform multiple measurements of your eye in the course of your consults, and he will carefully examine your entire eye to ensure that you will have an excellent result. He will assess the stability of your refraction and determine your current refractive state.

Dr. Chang (a former math team champion on the state and national levels) will personally check and double check (and triple check) you measurements, so you can rest assured that the correct treatment will be performed on your eyes. Because of his attention to detail, Dr. Chang provides all enhancements for a full year completely free of charge.

Whether you're absolutely ready to get rid of your glasses or contact lenses, or if your just wanted to see if you would be a good LASIK candidate, come see how at Empire Eye and Laser Center, we provide "Quality worth Experiencing."

For more information, click here to contact us, or call 661-325-3937 to schedule an appointment.