Paul S. Phillips, MD
Dr. Phillips has been performing refractive surgery since the introduction of the excimer laser in the 1990s. We now offer blade-free LASIK procedures in our in-house surgical suite in the Flemington office. All patients are seen personally by Dr. Phillips on two exams prior to surgery and for all post-operative care. This personal involvement of the surgeon allows true customized treatment.
Lasik Procedure Video
Laser Vision Correction
Our Laser Vision Coordinator may be reached at (908) 526-4588, option 8. Please call us with any questions regarding the surgery process, interest free financing options, or to schedule a no-charge consultation with Dr. Phillips.
All-Laser Custom LASIK is an exciting laser vision correction procedure that can dramatically reduce a patient’s dependency on contact lenses or eyeglasses. LASIK is performed to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. Ultimately, laser vision correction improves the eye’s ability to focus properly and enhances vision. Our surgeons use an ALLEGRETTO WAVE®excimer laser to permanently change the curvature of the cornea. Before the ALLEGRETTO WAVE®excimer laser is applied the surgeon creates a flap to reach the inner layers of the cornea using an INTRALASE femtosecond laser.
Many people do not realize that in traditional LASIK this first step, the flap creation, is accomplished using a blade. While traditional LASIK is a very safe, effective, precise procedure, INTRALASE technology further reduces the risk of complications. In addition, INTRALASE extends the benefits of the procedure to many patients who were poor candidates before. As a result, patients gain a new level of confidence in laser vision correction. Now, the blade is replaced by the INTRALASE laser, making INTRALASE a truly All-Laser procedure and eliminating all blade-related complications.
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is a laser vision correction procedure performed to improve vision and reduce or eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. In the PRK laser vision correction procedure, the laser surgeon utilizes the ALLEGRETTO WAVE® excimer laser to reshape the curvature of the eye for patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Photorefractive Keratectomy has been performed since 1986. Prior to LASIK, PRK was the most commonly performed laser vision correction procedure. PRK differs from LASIK as no flap is created during the PRK procedure. PRK may be suitable for people with larger pupils, thin corneas, corneal issues, or dry eyes.
Allegretto Wave®
High Performance Vision
ALLEGRETTO WAVE® is capable of producing some of the largest available optical zones. The optical zone refers to the portion of the cornea that has been corrected by the laser. A larger than normal optical zone is especially important for night vision, and for patients with very large pupils. If a patient’s pupil is larger than the optical zone, they may experience poor peripheral vision, poor night vision, and a higher than normal incidence of “halos” and glare. In the past, this has been one of the biggest drawbacks to conventional laser correction surgery.
PerfectPulse Technology™ represents a new approach to laser vision correction – it accounts for speed, precision, and safety in the ALLEGRETTO WAVE® laser and offers improvements that are revolutionary in the field. Smart Energy Control measures and adjusts energy levels in the laser pulse from creation to delivery. High-speed eye tracking charts the eye’s movement 200 times per second. As a result, every laser pulse is completely controlled and accurate, achieving the most accurate level of correction possible. If, at any time, the eye moves too quickly to be measured or moves out of range, the laser will stop and wait for the eye to move back into position.
Better Night Vision and Glare Control
At night and in dark conditions, the pupil becomes larger to permit the maximum amount of light to enter the eye. Laser eye correction needs to take this fact into account. If the optical zone is smaller than the size of the pupil at its largest, there is a good chance that the patient will experience poor night vision or problems with glare and halos around bright objects such as oncoming headlights. ALLEGRETTO WAVE® is able to produce the largest available optical zone, virtually eliminating glare and night vision problems associated with older generation lasers.
Wavefront Optimized™ Laser Vision Correction
One of the most innovative features of the ALLEGRETTO WAVE® is the way it uses wavefront-optimized technology to automatically compensate for the curvature of the cornea. In earlier laser correction systems, the “optical zone,” or area of correction, was centered on the front of the cornea; the result was a flattened circular area that ended with an abrupt edge, causing unwanted side effects like poor night vision, glare, and halos.
Is ALLEGRETTO WAVE® right for me?
ALLEGRETTO WAVE® expands the boundaries of candidacy for LASIK. However, there are certain people who are less than ideal candidates for LASIK. During the consultation with your doctor, please be sure to mention all medications you are taking and any medical conditions you may have.
Are you a Candidate for laser vision correction?
Most people are laser vision correction candidates. Since refractive surgery can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, many people who currently wear glasses and/or contact lenses do qualify. Here are a few guidelines:
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You must be at least 18 years of age and have a stable prescription.
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You should not have any abnormalities or prior diseases that could affect the healing process. Consult with our surgeons to ask specific questions or discuss prior eye or health conditions that might preclude you from having laser vision correction.
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Consider your lifestyle – ask how laser vision correction can change your life. The decision to undergo laser vision correction is an extremely personal one. Think about the things you enjoy doing (i.e., outdoor activities, sports, occupation, hobbies, etc.) and your specific reasons for having the procedure. We can help you weigh the pros and cons during your no-charge consultation.
For more information, visit our website: http://www.reclaimyourvision.com
Cost of Laser Vision Correction
LASIK is not covered by insurance. Call us to ask about insurance and courtesy professional discounts.
Payment Options
Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts are welcome! We accept MasterCard, VISA, AMEX, cash and checks. In addition, we offer several payment options. You may also choose from many, no deposit required, interest and interest free payment options through our financing partner Care Credit.
