Advanced Surface Ablation: What You Need to Know

Beyer LASIK on January 25, 2023

Advanced Surface Ablation: What You Need to Know

Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) is a preferred method for correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism in individuals with thin corneas and certain eye characteristics. Though less well-known than LASIK, ASA is a proven technique that also offers freedom from glasses and contacts.
There are misconceptions regarding LASIK surgery. First, understand that LASIK is one technique used to correct vision. The LASIK surgeon creates a flap in the cornea and redirects light to the retina. That is a simplification, but it makes the point. Depending on the condition of the cornea, different techniques can be used. The one discussed here is Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA).
The original surface ablation techniques predate LASIK, but just as LASIK has improved with time, today’s Advanced Surface Ablation procedures offer high levels of precision and safety. LASIK and ASA patients have access to the same technologies and customized treatments.

LASIK or ASA

In a LASIK procedure, a flap is created in the cornea’s surface and moved back to allow a laser to reshape the cornea, correcting the eye’s focusing power. The flap gets replaced, where it re-adheres naturally.
In an ASA procedure, the cornea is exposed via a process called surface ablation. A thin segment of the eye’s outer epithelial layer is removed, exposing the cornea. Once the layer is removed, the cornea is reshaped with an Allegretto laser, and vision is improved.

What to Expect with ASA

ASA carries a lower risk of severe complications than LASIK, as most LASIK complications involve the creation and healing of the flap, however
It requires a longer healing process and is more likely to cause discomfort or irritation two to three days following surgery.
Special contact lenses aid healing, provide comfort and prevent infection for the first several days.

As the epithelial layer grows back, most patients notice some blurring or a haze effect similar to a soft filter camera lens. This is normal. It means your eye is healing properly. You will see vast improvements in vision within the first week, but most patients will achieve a final result after a few months. You will use eye drops during this period to aid healing and prevent infection.

A Word About Discomfort

Burning, tearing, and foreign body sensations prevalent after the ASA procedure have been reported and should be treated with appropriate pain medications.

The Best LASIK Surgery Is Now in New York

Dr. Craig Beyer is now in the New York area, bringing a reputation as one of the nation’s finest ophthalmologists—he is one of 10 original doctors approved by the FDA to perform LASIK surgery. To date, Dr. Beyer has performed over 15,000 successful surgeries.

Get Your Site Right

Live in New York or the surrounding area? Call 877-274-1797 to schedule a consultation for the best in eyecare and LASIK surgery.

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LASIK: Cost and Benefits

Beyer LASIK on January 18, 2023

LASIK: Cost and Benefits

LASIK surgery should be measured against things other than cost. Consider the expense of glasses every few years, the convenience of a no-glasses or contacts lifestyle, and the aesthetic advantage of your au natural face without eyewear. And then there is the age-old problem of “where are my glasses?” or “I’ve lost contact” to consider.
Still, the truth is that the cost of LASIK surgery is an issue for many people. Before you go for a consultation, it helps to know what is expected.

A Word About Payment Plans

Many doctors offer affordable monthly payment plans that cater to individual budgets. Most require no money down and offer 0% interest for 18 months. Consider this option when choosing a surgeon if you cannot afford a lump sum payment.

Cost Basis

The cost of LASIK and other correction vision surgeries vary widely. According to a 2021 report on the state of LASIK procedures, prices are lower than they were 20 years ago due to technological advancements. Still, costs today range from about $1,000 to $4,000 per eye. The average price in the United States was $2,632 per eye in 2020. The report put the cost of vision correction surgery as equal to the cost of glasses, contacts, and eye exams for 8 to 10 years.

What Affects Cost?

The price of vision correction surgery depends on many factors.
• Location
• Experience of the surgeon

The technique used
What costs are included
Your eye health and vision problems

What is included in the cost of your LASIK surgery depends on who is doing it. Certain locations offer all-inclusive packages. During your initial consultation, ask about what may be included or added as an extra cost. A surgeon offering an initial low price may add charges later for medications or post-surgery visits.
Services that may or may not have been included in the original estimate:

Pre- and postoperative exams
Facility fees
Surgeon’s fees
Medications used during or after the procedure

Things to Consider

The least expensive surgeon may not be the right one. Never sacrifice quality for cost. Always ask questions about how they will approach your case and why. What technique will they use? What kinds of results can you expect? Are your expectations realistic? Not every procedure will deliver the perfect vision. A good surgeon can offer realistic outcomes based on your current eye health.

The Best LASIK Surgery Is Now in New York

Get Your Site Right

Live in New York or the surrounding area? Call 877-274-1797 to schedule a consultation for the best in eyecare and LASIK surgery.

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LASIK Eye Surgeons: What to Ask Them

Beyer LASIK on January 11, 2023

LASIK Eye Surgeons: What to Ask Them

LASIK (Laser Systems for Corneal Reshaping) eye surgery represents a quantum leap in eye care. Since its introduction in March 2009, and its official approval by the FDA, thousands have chosen LASIK surgery with the promise of better vision without glasses or contacts. The procedure has proven effective for patient site correction. One surgeon, Dr. Craig Beyer, has done over 15,000 successful surgeries.

Choosing a Surgeon

Since it is your eyes and your sight we are talking about, you want to be sure the surgeon you chose is the best possible choice. Make sure to consider these factors:

Experience
Board Certification
Outcomes
Reviews
Payment Options

It is also a good idea to check a surgeon’s ratings with professional Ophthalmological organizations such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Considerations

Only a licensed ophthalmologist is approved to perform LASIK surgery. If you are currently under the care of an optometrist, your doctor needs to recommend an ophthalmologist. It is important to remember that because the surgery is elective, health insurance and Medicare do not pay for LASIK. Some doctors offer no-interest payoff plans from outside financial agents.

What to Expect

LASIK surgery can only correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Nearsightedness (myopia). Your eyeball is slightly longer, the cornea curves too sharply and the light rays focus in front of the retina, blurring distant vision. You can see objects that are close clearly but not those that are far away.
Farsightedness (hyperopia). Your eye is too short, or the power to focus is too weak, and the image misfires behind the retina.
Astigmatism. The cornea curved or flattened unevenly results in a disruption of focus both near and far away.

In both near- and farsightedness, the LASIK process corrects the shape of the clear tissue at the front of the eye (cornea), redirecting light to the retina. For astigmatism, an iDesign machine guides the surgeon to realign uneven curves in the cornea, sending light directly to the retina.

Risk and Reasonable Expectation

Surgery always comes with risks. Issues for LASIK involve nothing more than temporary vision blurriness and dry eye. A surgeon should explain any other dangers along with realistic outcomes. While results for LASIK surgery are generally favorable, results can vary from patient to patient.

The Best LASIK Surgery Is Now in New York

Get Your Site Right

Live in New York or the surrounding area? Call 877-274-1797 to schedule a consultation for the best in eyecare and LASIK surgery.

Ready to speak
with a doctor?

LASIK Surgery: Is It for Me?

Beyer LASIK on January 4, 2023

LASIK Surgery: Is It for Me?

LASIK eye surgery, or laser vision correction, is a modern, safe procedure that corrects light refraction issues. Errors in refraction cause myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. Along with curing these conditions, LASIK offers the aesthetic prospect of life without glasses and the often uncomfortable and inconvenient reliance on contacts.
You may have heard of LASIK surgery but aren’t sure if it’s for you. After all, it’s your eyes we’re talking about – your vision – your most important sense. You have questions. How does it work? What kinds of eye problems does it correct? What is the treatment success rate? The following tutorial should help.

What LASIK Corrects

LASIK is performed to correct the refractive errors of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Refraction. Refractive errors happen when the shape of your eye keeps light from focusing correctly on your retina (a light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye). The associated vision problems are those corrected by LASIK surgery.
Basics of the Refractive Correction Procedure. During LASIK eye surgery, a flap in the cornea. The transparent, dome-shaped surface of the eye accounts for much of the eye’s bending or refracting power. The surgeon then reshapes the cornea and corrects the light refraction problems that cause blurred vision.
Myopia. Myopia or nearsightedness occurs when you can see near but not far away. Nearsightedness is a common issue and until LASIK, was only correctable by glasses and contacts. It happens when an eyeball is too long, or the cornea is too steep, causing the light rays that go through the eye to focus in front of the retina, thus blurring the image. The LASIK surgeon flattens the cornea; light diverts directly to the retina.
Hyperopia. Hyperopia, a common vision problem, inhibits the ability to see things near (farsightedness). The condition affects reading, writing, computer work, and close-up activities. If you have struggled to assemble a model plane or thread a needle, you’ve probably experienced eye strain and headaches. Because this is also a refraction issue, LASIK surgeons correct the condition by again reshaping the corneal tissue to redirect light directly onto the retina. Voila! Those close-up activities are a breeze. No more “where are my glasses?”

Astigmatism. Does LASIX work for astigmatism? The short answer is yes. Astigmatism happens when your cornea (the clear front layer of your eye) and lens (an inner part of your eye that helps the eye focus) have different shapes. While LASIK surgery was originally not recommended for astigmatism, new computer-powered technology allows surgeons to use implants to reconcile curvature incompatibility.

Cost

Health insurance and Medicare does not cover LASIK surgery. Some doctors work in cooperation with finance companies offering interest-free loan programs.
The Best in LASIK Surgery Is Now in New York
Dr. Craig Beyer is now in the New York area, bringing a reputation as one of the nation’s finest ophthalmologists—he is one of 10 original doctors approved by the FDA to perform LASIK surgery. To date, Dr. Beyer has performed over 15,000 successful surgeries.
Get Your Site Right
Live in New York or the surrounding area? Call 877-274-1797 to schedule a consultation for the best in eyecare and LASIK surgery.

The Best LASIK Surgery Is Now in New York

Get Your Site Right

Live in New York or the surrounding area? Call 877-274-1797 to schedule a consultation for the best in eyecare and LASIK surgery.

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