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A leading laser eye surgery center in East Hanover, EyeCare 20/20 offers advanced vision correction with LASIK alternatives such as LASEK and Epi-LASIK to individuals throughout northern New Jersey.

EyeCare 20/20
46 Eagle Rock Ave.
East Hanover, NJ 07936
Phone: 1-973-560-1500
Phone: 1-800-475-5525
Fax: 973-560-0419

LASEK and Other Laser Eye Surgery Options in East Hanover, Northern New Jersey

Dr. Cary Silverman is a skilled New Jersey LASIK specialist who also offers a range of refractive surgery procedures for patients who may not be ideal candidates for LASIK. Below he describes these other procedures.

LASEK, Epi-LASIK and Collamer Lenses

Though LASIK is the most common refractive surgery performed today, not every patient is an ideal candidate for – and not every vision problem can be solved by – this corrective procedure. At EyeCare 20/20, patients who are unable to undergo LASIK can still benefit from laser eye surgery performed at our East Hanover practice. Medical Director and eye surgeon, Cary M. Silverman, M.D., provides an array of procedures to treat various optical conditions and vision impairments. From LASEK and Epi-LASIK to the latest in implantable Collamer® lens technology, northern New Jersey individuals can count on Dr. Silverman and Eye Care 20/20 for their vision correction needs.

LASEK

Patients whose corneas are too thin or too flat are typically unable to undergo the LASIK procedure. For these patients, the LASEK laser eye surgery procedure, performed at our East Hanover practice in northern New Jersey, is an effective alternative. LASEK does not require an opening to be made in the cornea. This reduces the potential for post-surgical complications arising from the use of a blade to create a corneal flap.

The LASEK Procedure

During the procedure, Dr. Silverman uses an instrument called a trephine to isolate a thin layer in the outer portion of the patient's cornea (the epithelium). Next, an alcohol solution is applied to the eye to loosen the layer. After the alcohol solution is removed, the epithelial flap is delicately peeled back, and an excimer laser is used to carefully reshape the cornea. By properly resculpting the cornea, Dr. Silverman is able to improve the ability of the eye to focus on images. For most patients, this results in dramatic improvements to their quality of vision.

Recovery after LASEK

Though the recovery period following the LASEK procedure is longer than it is in LASIK surgery, patients will still be able to return to work and other light activities in three to five days. Vision will gradually improve over the course of several weeks until the cornea has completely healed.

Epi-LASIK

Epi-LASIK is another procedure performed at our northern New Jersey practice that allows patients who may not be good candidates for LASIK to enjoy the benefits of laser eye surgery.

Differences between LASIK and Epi-LASIK

Epi-LASIK is an advanced surface ablation procedure that, like LASEK surgery, involves separating the epithelium from the rest of the cornea. Lifting only the epithelium, a thin flap is created. Then, instead of alcohol, a plastic blade, called an epithelial separator, is used to lift the epithelium from the cornea. The epithelial flap is folded back, and an excimer laser is used to reshape the inner layers of the cornea. The laser does not penetrate as deeply as in the traditional LASIK procedure, which preserves the natural curvature of the cornea. The flap is then returned to its natural position. A special contact lens is placed to protect the cornea and facilitate the healing process.

Both the Epi-LASIK and LASEK procedures performed for our northern New Jersey patients are less invasive than the more common LASIK procedure. They are ideal for patients with corneal tissue that is too thin to support the corneal flap created in LASIK surgery. Dr. Silverman will assist patients in determining which procedure is right for them.

Laser-Assisted Clear Lensectomy (LACL)

Laser-assisted clear lensectomy is a variation of cataract surgery involving the removal of the eye's natural lens and replacement with a lens implant (intraocular lens) that improves the eye's ability to focus images on the retina. With these lens implants, Dr. Silverman is able to specifically address vision problems such as nearsightedness and farsightedness. At EyeCare 20/20, patients benefit from the latest in implantable lens technology, including the ReSTOR® IOL and ReZoom® IOL, as well as the new fully accommodating crystalens®. Once the lenses are inserted, Dr. Silverman uses a laser to correct any refractive error that the lens implant could not correct.

Corneal Transplants

The cornea, the clear portion in the front of the eye, allows light to enter and focus on the retina. Quality vision depends on the cornea remaining clear. However, corneal disease, degeneration, and scarring can cloud the cornea and result in diminished vision. If vision is severely impacted, a corneal transplant may be necessary.

Descemet's Stripping with Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK)

DSEK is a transplant procedure that corrects clouding while sparing the cornea, and is Dr. Silverman's preferred method of treatment for Fuch's dystrophy. Using the DSEK technique, Dr. Silverman will carefully strip away the diseased cell layer that lines the inner surface of the cornea. A donor cornea is then thinly sliced and the inner portion is folded in half for insertion through a small incision made in the white part of the eye. Dr. Silverman injects an air bubble into the eye to unfold the donor tissue and set it in place.

Fuch's Dystrophy

Fuch's dystrophy is a slow-onset eye disease that typically affects both eyes, occurring when endothelial cells progressively fail, causing the endothelium to become less efficient at removing water from the stroma. The increased water build up causes the cornea to swell, which leads to a distortion in vision. Over time, the epithelium will also take on water, resulting in significant pain and vision impairment.

In the early stages of treatment, doctors will use drops, ointments, or soft contact lenses to reduce the swelling. The patient may also be instructed to use a hair dryer to dry out the epithelial blisters.

In the more advanced stages of the disease, Dr. Silverman may opt for a corneal transplant using the DSEK procedure to restore sight.

NearVision^SM CK®

NearVision^SM CK® (Conductive Keratoplasty) is a non-laser procedure performed at our East Hanover office to correct presbyopia, reducing the need for reading glasses as it improves near vision.

Presbyopia is an age-related change in vision that occurs when the eye's lens begins to harden, becoming less flexible, and preventing the individual from focusing properly on nearby objects.

NearVision^SM CK® uses radiofrequency (RF) energy applied to the outer cornea to shrink minute areas of corneal tissue. As the corneal tissue shrinks, it produces a constrictive band that reshapes the cornea. As the band tightens, the cornea's overall curvature is increased, which corrects the bending of light waves from near objects as they travel through the lens to the retina, creating proper refraction and clear near vision.

Phakic Intraocular Lenses

Phakic intraocular lenses are an alternative to laser eye surgery, and are similar to the intraocular lenses (IOLs) used in cataract surgery, but do not permanently alter the structure of the eye. No corneal tissue is removed as in LASIK and other laser eye surgery procedures. A phakic IOL resembles a traditional contact lens and is surgically placed between the cornea and the iris (or behind the iris). Unlike the intraocular lenses used in cataract surgery, phakic IOLs do not replace the eye's natural lens, but work with it to correct such common vision errors as myopia (nearsightedness). Though phakic IOLs are intended to be permanent implants, they can be removed if complications arise or if the patient's vision changes.

Verisyse® Phakic IOL

An acrylic lens implant made from biocompatible polymethylmethacrylate, the Verisyse® Phakic IOL used at our offices near Chatham is placed behind the cornea through a small incision. The incision is closed with fine sutures that dissolve over time.

A local anesthetic is used to numb the eye before the surgery, which lasts about 15-30 minutes; ensuring the procedure is virtually painless. Patients often notice improved vision the day after surgery.

Visian ICL™ (Implantable Collamer® Lens)

The insertion of the Visian ICL™ Implantable Collamer® Lens is also made through a small incision in the surface of the cornea. The Visian ICL™, however, can be folded, requiring a smaller incision than other implantable lenses. Once inserted, the lens unfolds to its full size. No sutures are required in the procedure.

The Visian ICL™, used at our offices near West Orange, is made from a proprietary, organic lens material called Collamer®, which affords the lens a greater biocompatibility than other lens types.

Contact Dr. Silverman for Laser Eye Surgery and More

Dr. Silverman performs laser eye surgery and other corrective procedures at his practice in East Hanover. For more information regarding LASEK, Epi-LASIK, and other procedures performed for northern New Jersey patients, or to schedule an evaluation, please contact EyeCare 20/20 today.

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