About LASIK
North Suburban Eye Specialists is pleased to announce the arrival of the new Ziemer Z2 laser for LASIK surgery. The Ziemer Z2 laser is the latest, most advanced way to create a LASIK flap. During LASIK a surgeon needs to create a flap in the outer corneal tissue in order to reshape the center of the cornea, correcting a patient's vision. Originally a blade, known as a microkeratome, was used to make the flap. Later, lasers began to be used to create the flaps. These lasers, known as femtosecond lasers, are able to make more precise flaps than can be achieved with a blade. Unfortunately the first generation of femtosecond lasers, produced by a company known as Intralase, had problems. The laser pulses from the Intralase use too much energy and create fairly large holes in the corneal tissue. Due to the extra energy the Intralase couldn't put the pulses close together, so the flap was made up of holes that were not connected - much like the edge of a postage stamp. The surgeon would then tear the flap from tissue bridge to tissue bridge, leaving an uneven surface. This perforated uneven tissue resulted in a problem known as "rainbow hue" and distorted patient's vision. Additionally, the excessive energy from the Intralase killed off corneal tissue under the flap. The dead tissue created inflammaton and light sensitivity. Sometimes this light sensitivity would last for weeks or months and could be quite intense.
The Ziemer "Z-LASIK" femtosecond laser is the latest generation of femtosecond lasers and solves the problems of the earlier Intralase. The Ziemer uses 1/100th the amount of energy per shot as compared to the Intralase. Thus, a cornea treated with the Ziemer is left in a healthier state and there is minimal to no inflammation or light sensitivity. With less energy per spot, the Ziemer Z2 can overlap the shots, so it "connects the dots". The flap is smooth and lifts easily. There is no tearing apart of tissue bridges as there are no tissue bridges with the Ziemer.
Dr. Lobanoff became the first surgeon in the United States to use the new Ziemer Z2 laser in LASIK. North Suburban Eye Specialists was the first LASIK center in the entire United States to offer Z-LASIK on the new Ziemer Z2 laser from Switzerland. If you want the latest in LASIK technology for your precious eyes, set up an appointment at North Suburban Eye Specialists to learn more.
North Suburban Eye Specialists is proud to bring LASIK to the northern Minneapolis region. Our brand-new state-of-the-art LASIK surgery center is the first LASIK center in the northern Minneapolis suburbs. For those patients living in Elk River, Coon Rapids, Andover, Blaine, Ham Lake and Forest Lake we are the most convenient center for LASIK surgery.
LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a safe, reliable and painless way to improve vision and reduce or eliminate the need to wear glasses or contact lenses. LASIK changes the way light is bent, or refracted, as it passes through the cornea so that it focuses properly on the retina and objects can be seen clearly.
During the procedure, the Ziemer laser creates a thin flap in the surface of the cornea. Patients are given anesthesia so they can't feel the instruments. The flap is then lifted and an excimer laser beam reshapes the cornea's curvature (steepened for far-sighted patients, flattened for near-sighted patients) to improve vision. The flap is then placed back into position where it adheres instantaneously.
The entire procedure takes only 5 minutes per eye, and patients are often ready to leave our center within 20 minutes. The flap heals on its own within seconds with no need for stitches.
Antibiotic eye drops will be prescribed for a few days, along with any other post-operative instructions. Most patients have excellent vision within 24 hours of their surgery and can return to work the next day. Full recovery takes a few weeks.
Our LASIK surgeons use the Bausch and Lomb Technolas Z100 laser to treat our LASIK patients. The Technolas is an advanced excimer laser system that has multiple safety features built in. It has a tracking system that can track eye movement to ensure that the eye is properly positioned for the laser treatment. If the eye is not in perfect allignment, the laser will not fire. The Bausch and Lomb Technolas Z100 is also the fastest excimer laser in the state of Minnesota.
For more information or to make an appointment, call us today at (763)-421-EYES
