Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA)
Conventional and Customized
In ASA, Dr. Lockhart uses the LADARVIsion Excimer Laser to treat low to high amounts of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. To perform these procedures D r. Lockhart will first remove a thin layer of corneal tissue from the surface. The LADARVIsion Excimer Laser beam causes the central cornea to flatten to treat nearsightedness or the laser beam will treat the peripheral area of the cornea creating a steeper central cornea treating farsightedness. Since astigmatism is caused by the cornea being shaped more like a football rather than a basketball, the cool laser beam removes more tissue in one direction than the other. These techniques will cause the light rays to focus more directly on the retina, giving the patient a clearer image.
Advanced Surface Ablation, (ASA) is another method of surgically reshaping
your cornea using the excimer laser. Ultraviolet light and high energy
pulses lasting only billionths of a second disrupt the molecular bonds
between the corneal cells with accuracy up to 0.25 microns. The excimer
laser is unique in that it emits a "cold" or non-thermal light beam. This
makes it ideal for corneal surgery because it eliminates the possibility
of thermal damage to surrounding tissue. With computer controlled precision,
the excimer laser represents an important new tool for treating refractive
errors.
In less than a minute, the excimer removes microscopic amounts of corneal
tissue from the surface of the cornea, making the central zone flatter.
The flattened cornea is then able to focus light more directly.
The outer area of the
cornea (epithelium) is
removed |
The laser will start to
oblate the surface of the
cornea with pinpoint
accuracy |
Are You a Candidate for ASA? The Ideal Candidate...
The ideal candidate for ASA is over 18 years of age with a low to moderate
amount of myopia and/or asigmatism. In addition to having a healthy cornea,
patients must not have had a significant increase in their prescription
in the last 12 months. People with certain medical conditions or women
who are pregnant may not be good candidates for ASA.
Realistic Expectations
The decision to have ASA is an important one that ultimately, only you
can make. It is important that you have realistic expectations and that
your decision is based on facts, not hopes or misconceptions. The goal
of ASA is to reduce your dependence on corrective lenses. ASA does not
always create 20/20 or even 20/40 vision. It cannot correct a condition
known as presbyopia, or aging of the eye, which normally occurs around
age 40 and may require the use of reading glasses. In fact, people over
40 who have their myopia reduced with ASA may find they need reading glasses
after the procedure. Dr. Lockhart will provide you with additional information
that will allow you to make an informed decision.
The First Step
Finding out more about your refractive error is the first step toward visual
independence. This is accomplished by calling the Gailey Eye Clinic general
physicians and scheduling a personal consultation. Should your refractive
error fall within the range of correction for ASA, more comprehensive tests
will be necessary. If your vision falls outside the corrective range of
ASA, Dr. Lockhart may be able to recommend other refractive procedures to
treat your condition.
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