Cedars-Sinai Mark Goodson Building
444 South San Vicente Blvd, #1102
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310)423-9640
LASIK Los Angeles
Dr. Rabinowitz is one of the best Los Angeles LASIK surgeons. He also offers other types of laser vision correction for those patients who do not qualify or opt for LASIK surgery, including PRK and LASEK. Patients who are good candidates for PRK are individuals with either thin corneas, slightly irregular corneas, patients with dry eye and individuals who do not want a flap created in their eye. Except for the creation of a flap the two procedures are identical The advantage of LASIK over PRK is that the visual recovery is faster and there is less postoperative discomfort in the first couple of days. The visual results at 3 months are identical for LASIK and PRK. In the paragraphs below he describes the PRK (PhotoRefractive Keratectomy) procedure.
This procedure uses a cold laser beam to reshape the front surface of the cornea and typically takes 30 to 60 seconds depending on the patient's refractive error. Either nearsightedness and astigmatism or farsightedness and astigmatism can be corrected during the same sitting.
Typically the patient enters the laser room, a speculum is put in the eye to prevent the patient from blinking. The patient is then asked to fixate on a red light and the doctor helps the patient by steadying their head. The top layer of the cornea is gently peeled off and the patient fixates on the red light while the ablation is being performed. The ablation is performed on the center of the eye and flattens the cornea thus shortening the eye. Topical anesthetic is put in the eye so the procedure is totally pain free.
At the end of the procedure the eye is washed out with cold water, an antibiotic, an anti-inflammatory drop and a bandage contact lens is put on the eye. The patient is prescribed pain medication in case it should be necessary. The patient is seen by the doctor the following day. The first day after the procedure, the eye feels a bit scratchy and is light sensitive. This improves rapidly and by the third to fourth day, the eye feels very comfortable and the bandage contact lens is removed.
Patients typically see improved vision immediately after the procedure, but for maximal vision, it may take 2 to 8 weeks.
A new procedure called LASEK is a modification of the PRK technique. In this procedure the top layer of the cornea is gently peeled of in one piece with alcohol and replaced in its original location, once the laser treatment is complete. The potential advantages of this procedure is quicker visual recovery and less postoperative discomfort.
Dr. Rabinowitz has dedicated his career to helping his patients with their vision correction needs. In addition to being a leading Los Angeles LASIK specialist, he is also highly skilled in performing LASEK surgery. Please read the paragraphs below to learn more about this form of laser vision correction surgery.
LASEK is an acronym for laser epithelial keratomilieusis as opposed to LASIK, which stands for - laser in-situ keratomilieusis. LASIK is one of the safest procedures there are. However, in LASIK, a microkeratome is used to create a flap with a high powered, high speed oscillating blade - the laser treatment is then performed in the corneal stroma i.e. underneath the flap.
With LASEK, there is no blade and as such no cutting. A well of alcohol is placed on the cornea; this loosens the cells that cause the top layer the epithelium to stick to the cornea. The epithelium is then lifted as one layer of the cornea, the laser treatment is then performed and this same layer of epithelium is placed back on the cornea.
Advantages of LASEK
Disadvantages of LASEK
Who is a good candidate for LASEK?
In addition to his expertise as a top LASIK Los Angeles specialist, Dr. Rabinowitz offers other types of treatment, including Intacs. In the paragraphs below he describes Intacs and how this procedure can be used as an alternative to LASIK in some patients.
For vision enhancement without a laser beam, consider INTACS™ to treat mild myopia (-1 to -3D). This is a safe reversible alternative technology for those with mild corrections who do not want to take the risk of LASIK surgery.
INTACS distributed by Addition Technologies, involves the insertion of two plastic ring segments into the outer edges of the cornea. The ring segments exert enough pressure on the flexible cornea to change its shape. Different size ring segments are used to treat different degrees of myopia.
INTACS, unlike laser surgery, is a reversible procedure. If you aren't happy with the results, or if your vision changes, the implants can be surgically removed and/or replaced. Furthermore, INTACS leaves the center of the cornea - the most important part for clear vision - untouched.
Not every patient will be a good candidate for INTACS. It is important to meet with Dr. Rabinowitz, a leading specialist in Los Angeles keratoconus treatment to see if you are a candidate.
After INTACS have been inserted, they require no maintenance. After the early post-operative period, the patient usually cannot feel them in the eye. In clinical studies, 74 percent of the patients achieved 20/20 vision and 97 percent achieved 20/40 vision or better one year after the procedure. For more information on INTACS click here.
If you have good distance vision and are tired of your reading glasses, Conductive Keratoplasty, or CK, may be perfect for you. CK utilizes localized radio-frequency energy to gently reshape the cornea. This simple, non-laser procedure, requires no tissue removal. Conductive Keratoplasty can significantly improve reading vision in patients who are good candidates for this procedure.
Dr. Rabinowitz's experience and training with laser eye surgery in LA, Santa Clarita, Lancaster and the surrounding area is important when determining a patient's candidacy for LASIK. Please read the information below to learn more about Visian ICL, an alternative for patients who are not candidates for LASIK.
If you have significant nearsightedness greater than 8 Diopters, thin corneas, dry eyes or night vision problems, you may not a good candidate for LASIK. But now there's a new treatment that will allow you to decrease your dependence on glasses and contacts.
The FDA recently approved the STAAR Visian ICL, an implantable lens that corrects moderate to severe nearsightness (-3D to -20D) with a quick, minimally invasive procedure.
The Visian ICL offers unparalleled quality of vision, providing excellent contrast. Two unique factors help explain this superior optical performance. First, the Visian ICL is made of Collamer - a soft, flexible lens material that contains a small amount of collagen- making the lens extremely biocompatible for a lifetime of clear vision. Second, the lens is placed inside of the eye, where it continues to focus light accurately without any maintenance required.
The Visian ICL is inserted into the eye through a small, micro incision. The lens unfolds in the eye and is positioned between the iris and the natural lens where it stays indefinitely. The procedure takes approximately 15 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis.
The Visian ICL does not alter any structures within the eye or on the cornea. If necessary, it can be removed from the eye by a simple surgical procedure.
You won't be able to see the Visian ICL in your eye, and neither will anybody else. Exceptional quality of vision will be the only reminder that you have had 21st century vision correction.
To find out if the STAAR Visian ICL is right for you call (310) 423-9640 or (800) 701-4448 and make an appointment for a complimentary consultation.
For individuals who are farsighted usually greater then +4Diopter, LASIK does not work particularly well. For such individuals the best procedure is a clear lens extraction. In this procedure your natural lens is removed in the same way a cataract is removed and a plastic lens is put in the eye which will allow you permanent distance and reading correction. If you are a candidate for this procedure you might also want to consider the Crystalens which will allow you to see both near and far and thus minimize the need for reading glasses.
As a highly regarded Lancaster LASIK eye surgery specialist, Dr. Rabinowitz has helped numerous LASIK Santa Clarita, Lancaster and Los Angeles patients realize their vision correction dreams. At his elegantly appointed offices, patients can also undergo cataract surgery with premium IOLs. To learn more about this procedure, please visit the respective page.