LASIK eye surgery can reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses by reshaping the cornea so light enters the eye and focuses more clearly. It can correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. At Austin Eye Clinic, doctors perform LASIK with blade-free iLASIK technology, which uses a femtosecond laser to create the corneal flap and an excimer laser to reshape the cornea.
With Northwest Austin and Westlake offices in Austin, TX, Austin Eye Clinic has a long history in laser vision correction. The practice first performed LASIK in Austin in 1995 and first used all-laser iLASIK in 2002. Shannon M. Wong, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist who has performed more than 7,000 laser vision correction procedures and serves as affiliate faculty in ophthalmology at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.
Your Initial iLASIK Consultation at Austin Eye
During your initial examination, you will meet with your surgeon to determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK. At this time, you can ask your doctor any questions you may have about iLASIK. You will also receive your surgeon’s email and cell phone number if you have additional questions after your visit.
To determine whether you are a good candidate for LASIK at Austin Eye, we conduct a thorough evaluation of your eyes, including corneal mapping, corneal thickness, and a detailed assessment of your overall eye health. We look for the following qualities:
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You are 18 years or older
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You are in good general health
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You are free of eye diseases
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You maintain stable vision for at least one year before the LASIK procedure
LASIK Procedure Details
The surgeons at Austin Eye are the first and most experienced at performing all-laser-lasik (aka iLASIK) in Austin. We offer custom iLasik, which is a custom-tailored treatment for your particular eyes.
The iLASIK procedure is usually completed in 10-15 minutes for both eyes.
Though virtually everyone contemplating elective eye surgery has concerns and apprehension, the procedure is extremely safe in patients that we identify as good candidates.
The cost of iLasik is about $2,800 per eye. We accept all major credit cards and offer a convenient monthly payment program – Care Credit – that offers a 24 month deferred-interest payment plan.
All LASIK procedures at Austin Eye are performed with the all-laser blade-free iLASIK technology. iLASIK uses one laser to create the corneal flap followed by use of a second laser (excimer laser) to reshape the cornea. iLASIK is an all-laser procedure which has proven to be the safest and most accurate form of LASIK surgery. Patients who have “fears” about LASIK should take comfort in the increased safety and accuracy of the “iLASIK” procedure using the iFS Femtosecond Laser.
Conventional iLASIK
Uses the prescription obtained through the standard measurement device in the ophthalmologist’s office (known as the phoropter) to guide the excimer laser ablation. Conventional iLASIK corrects what are known as “lower order aberrations” which account for approximately 90% of the visual imperfections. An iFS Femtosecond Laser flap is created followed by an excimer laser ablation that corrects approximately 90% of the eye’s visual aberrations.
Custom iLASIK
Uses a special computer known as an aberrometer or wavefront measurement device to obtain a more detailed and complete analysis of each LASIK Austin patient’s eye’s visual distortions. The wavefront measurement device measures hundreds of subtle imperfections known as “lower and higher-order aberrations” to create a “wavefront map.” The wavefront map measures 100% of the optical aberrations and is like a unique visual fingerprint that quantifies each eye’s unique focusing problems. This more detailed wavefront map is then used to guide the excimer laser ablation to reshape the cornea to it’s best focus. So in custom iLASIK, a custom measurement is obtained, followed-by an iFS Femtosecond Laser created flap, followed by a wavefront-guided excimer laser ablation. Custom iLASIK has proven to provide better quality of vision, especially at night than conventional LASIK or conventional iLASIK.
Bladeless LASIK Results
Our results using the iFS Femtosecond Laser for iLASIK have shown:
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Complications associated with making the flap are virtually eliminated thus enhancing patient safety.
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Final visual acuities in eyes treated with iFS Femtosecond Laser are more accurate than any LASIK (blade-flap) procedure.
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Fewer visual aberrations (halo, glare, starburst) are created in iLASIK. Therefore quality of vision in iLASIK should be clearer than with standard LASIK.
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Patients with thin corneas not suitable for standard LASIK can be treated safely with iLASIK due to the ability to create an accurate thin flap via computer-controlled delivery of the laser.
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Flap wrinkles or striae which occur in standard LASIK are rare to non-existent in iLASIK flaps.
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Patients are more comfortable in deciding to have iLASIK because of the enhanced safety and accuracy of the all-laser procedure.
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The optimal combination of technologies for laser vision correction is iFS Femtosecond Laser (laser flaps) with wavefront-guided (custom) excimer laser ablations – Custom iLASIK.
Differences between LASIK and iLASIK
To obtain more information about LASIK and iLASIK vision (opens in new tab) correction surgery at Austin Eye — and to find out if you are a suitable candidate for this revolutionary procedure — please contact (512) 250-2020 or email the physicians on staff to schedule your initial appointment.
Why Choose Austin Eye Clinic for LASIK in Austin, TX?
Austin Eye Clinic has served Austin families since 1969, giving the practice more than five decades of ophthalmic care experience. Its team includes board-certified ophthalmologists and optometrists supported by a longstanding clinical and administrative staff across two Austin locations. Shannon M. Wong, MD, is also cofounder and affiliate faculty member of the Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin. The practice’s community roots, commitment to physician-led care, and experience caring for generations of local patients provide a strong foundation for people considering LASIK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule a Consultation Today
To learn more about LASIK and iLASIK vision correction surgery at Austin Eye—and to find out whether you are a suitable candidate for this revolutionary procedure—please call (512) 250-2020 or email the physicians on staff to schedule your initial appointment.
