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5/1/2003 - Brown Laser Eye Care Performing CUSTOM LASIK

Wilmington, NC June 26, 2003 –VISX announced in May that it received approval from the FDA for CustomVue laser vision correction. This wavefront ablation procedure sets a new standard for vision correction, with the potential to enable better vision than with contacts and glasses. Board Certified Ophthalmologist, Dr. Alan Brown and Dr. Laura Harris of Brown Laser Eye Care offered the new CustomVue procedure to their patients on the morning of June 17, 2003. Brown Laser Eye Care was the first in the area to perform CustomVue. “Patients already achieve great results with the standard LASIK procedure, said Dr. Brown, “but Dr. Harris and I were thrilled to offer patients with extra astigmatism the new CustomVue procedure. Customvue may allow better than 20/20 vision. In fact, many of our patients were already reading some of the 20/15 line at their one-day post-operative appointment. Although not all patients need this new custom LASIK procedure to see well, Dr. Harris and I are happy we can now use it for those who do need its extra level of precision” he said. So what is wavefront and what are aberrations? Consider a wave at the beach. Standard Lasik looks at the height and width of the wave (refractive error) and seeks to eliminate this, in a sense to make the wave flat and calm. But if you really look at an ocean wave there are many smaller ripples in the wave. Wavefront analysis finds these small ripples allowing the laser to not only treat the large wave refraction problem but also the smaller, previously unseen abnormalities (aberrations). The wavefront analyzer is a diagnostic device that is used to map both lower and higher-order aberrations by projecting waves of light into patient’s eye and mapping waves that bounce back. The device is derived from technology first developed to correct distortions of light waves from space and is similar to the technology used to fix the Hubble Space Telescope. The data from a wavefront analyzer is used to generate an individualized treatment for a CustomVue procedure. The wavefront map information is then electronically transmitted to the laser. This highly customized approach creates a procedure that improves both visual acuity, which is measured against standard numerical outcomes such as 20/20, and the overall quality of vision, such as increased visual crispness and clarity. Visual acuity of 20/20, considered by most as the standard for vision, has been traditionally measured by a letter chart, which does not provide for detection of many of the disorders that may affect vision. FDA clinical study data showed that at one year following the procedure, 98% of the clinical study participants could see 20/20 or better without glasses, while 70% had either the same or better post-operative vision without glasses as compared to their pre-operative vision with glasses. “This technology is a tremendous breakthrough in laser vision correction and, we’re excited to be able to offer this advanced LASIK procedure,” said Dr. Harris, surgeon at Brown Laser Eye Care. To learn more about this exciting new technology or to schedule a free consultation call 796-8648.