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Laser vision correction (LASIK), the most popular refractive surgical procedure in the world, has been performed on over 8.5 million people in the United States alone.
 Richard Carlin, M.D.
Patients who never dreamed they would be able to drive a car, watch a movie or enjoy sports such as skiing or swimming without contacts or glasses are now able to achieve the dream of visual freedom.
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With the recent approval of Advanced CustomVue treatments, we are now able, in many cases, to provide our patients with even better vision than they ever had with glasses or contact lenses!
Featuring Blade Free Lasik
The safest option!
The LASIK procedure
The procedure itself is a virtually painless and is performed in our in-office laser suite. There are no shots and no stitches! The complete process takes about 20 minutes for both eyes with actual laser times of about 30 seconds per eye. The procedure, depicted on the right, is done by making a thin flap in the cornea, the outer covering over the iris or colored part of the eye. The laser is used to reshape the bed, after which the flap is replaced and adheres naturally.
Most people see significant improvement within hours and are generally able to drive the next day. The post-operative care is minimal and basically involves using eye drops for a few days.
Our technology
We pride ourselves on using the latest, most up-to-date technology. Currently, we use the latest version of the VISX® Star S4 laser with ActiveTrak (the laser automatically centers on your eye and follows it during treatment), and Variable Spot Scanning (the laser uses treatment spots of different sizes to optimize your treatment in the shortest time). The VISX® laser has been preferred in the majority of LASIK procedures in America and has the longest and most stable track record. It has also received the widest approval for Advanced CustomVue treatments by the FDA.
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1. Anesthetic drops are applied to the eye.
2. A femtosecond laser or microkeratome is used to create a thin flap which is lifted up but remains attached on one side.
3. The inner corneal layer is reshaped with the eximer laser.
4. The corneal flap is placed back.
5. The flap adheres naturally and securely.
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WaveScan technology
This latest advancement has provided a quantum leap forward in LASIK technology. It is the greatest single advance since the introduction of LASIK itself. Developed by astronomers and physicists to determine optical imperfections in space telescopes, we can now measure refractions with our WaveScan and determine each eye’s individual lower and higher order imperfections, which is 25 times more precise than the standard refraction in assessing one’s vision.
Although many people may share the same eyeglass or contact lens prescription, we find that, just as no two people are alike, each person’s waveprint is also unique, like "a fingerprint of your vision". This data is transferred to the laser and can help us provide each eye with its own individual, precise treatment.
Iris registration
When the eye is under the laser, a small amount of rotation (cyclotorsion) and movement of the pupil can occur. So to compensate for this, the WaveScan photographs the iris and notes 24 individual reference points. Then, when under the laser, these points are analyzed by the laser’s camera so that it can automatically align itself accordingly. This allows the most precise and accurate treatments.
Blade Free Lasik - The Safest Option!
Traditionally, the flap is created with a mechanical instrument (microkeratome) using a blade that glides across the cornea. The safer option is to create the flap using a special "femtosecond" laser instead of a blade, which uses compter guided energy to split the atomic bonds holding the molecules in the cornea together. By moving across the cornea, it creates a precise plane which becomes a flap when lifted.
Results
Our results have been extraordinary. Although we obviously can't promise "perfect" 20/20 vision for everyone, the vast majority of our patients do achieve 20/20 or better. This means no more glasses or contacts to drive, play sports, watch movies or participate in careers that require excellent vision.
PRK and LASEK
PRK and LASEK are procedures that are performed on corneas that are too thin for LASIK, or on the eyes of patients who just want to avoid the flap. Using the laser on the surface of the cornea (PRK) or under an epithelial flap (LASEK), these procedures are also painless. The process takes a bit less time, but takes longer to heal. Visual results are not as rapid as it generally takes days to achieve good vision. Post-operative care is a bit more involved with eye drops used for a longer time.
Fees
Our fees are extremely competitive, especially when you consider that we include virtually everything: pre-op consultation and measurements by the surgeon himself (not a technician or “sales consultant“); pre-op glasses or contact lenses if necessary; temporary punctual plugs if necessary; procedure fee; facility fee; post-op medications; unlimited post op visits for one year, again by the surgeon himself; and our lifetime guarantee. And, to make it all affordable, we offer a variety of "no money down" financing plans for all budgets, including our interest-free for one year!
Why choose us?
Founded in 1977, we are the largest, most experienced eye care practice in Gwinnett County. Dr. Richard Carlin has been performing refractive procedures for over 30 years. We have built our practice and our reputation on providing "advanced eye care with a home-town touch." We offer the latest, most up-to-date procedures and services with the most advanced technology.
What really differentiates us, however, is the special type of care we provide. We consider our patients to be our friends and neighbors and understand that those who entrust their eye care to us do not do so lightly. We take that trust very seriously. We believe that each person is special and unique and, for that reason, we take the time to attend to each individual’s needs and concerns, whatever they may be.
Your care will be provided by Dr. Richard Carlin himself and not by a technician, "counselor” or less-experienced person. All options will be considered and discussed with you during your no-cost evaluation. All your questions will be answered as we want you to feel comfortable with your decisions and care. Your surgeon is available for all pre- and post-operative needs and not just on the day of your procedure. We have one office and one laser center, so you know he will not be away traveling around the state or around the country.
Our fees are competitive and all-inclusive with no hidden "add-ons." Finally, we remain committed to your eye care needs for life, and do not send you away just because your procedure is complete. Simply stated, we provide the special type of care that we would want for ourselves or a member of our own family.
FREE EVALUATION! - Contact Diana, our Vision Correction Facilitator.
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