Benefits of SBK Thin-Flap Laser Vision Correction or Treatment

"This represents one of the many trends that continue to refine refractive procedures, among which are advances in phakic, multifocal, and accommodating IOLs, as well as collagen cross-linking, sub-Bowman's keratomileusis (SBK), and pharmacologically modulated PRK." Ophthalmology Times, December 2008

• Less weakening of corneal biomechanics, less risk of ectasia, better stability

• Faster visual recovery
• Better quality of vision:
  • fewer higher order aberrations
  • better contrast sensitivity
• Fewer complications, less glare, fewer halos
• Less incidence of postoperative dry eye
• Reduced loss of corneal sensitivity
• Greater flap thickness predictability
• Ability to treat more patients, and higher levels of myopia
• Can treat thinner corneas
• Reduced enhancement rate
• Planar, predictable flaps and stromal beds of unrivaled smoothness:
  • Thin flaps with planar architecture
  • Beveled edges
  • Customized diameters
  • Unrivalled bed smoothness
  • Accuracy and predictability equivalent to Femto SBK
• Has many of the advantages of Surface Epi-Laser in terms of less invasiveness, less worsening of dry eyes with less retreatments and better outcomes compared with less advanced thick-flap LASIK
• The same excellent results as "bladeless" or FemtoSecond LASIK
• Faster visual recovery time with greater comfort during the first 5 hours as FemtoSecond LASIK
• Equivalent visual acuity and quality of vision
• Equivalent accuracy and predictability of flap creation
   

  One Use-Plus SBK	Femtosecond Laser

• Both technologies produce flaps of relatively uniform thickness

  Scanning electron microscopy (160x) of the stromal bed

• SBK creates smoother surface for the laser to work on

  SBK N=50 eyes	IntraLase N=50 eyes

• Faster visual recovery with SBK
  
  
• Greater patient comfort, the pain occurred at a much lower frequency and intensity with SBK in the first 1 to 5 hours after surgery

Realistic Expectations
The goal of any laser vision correction procedure is to reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Although the recovery time with Amoils Advanced Surface Laser Vision Treatment (Superficial Epi-Laser) is longer, and for some there may be more postoperative discomfort (which is easily managed by medication), these trade-offs are temporary and certainly worth consideration, especially in light of the long-term safety and potentially better visual outcomes.

It is also important to know that Amoils Advanced Surface Laser Vision Treatment (Superficial Epi-Laser) does not always create perfect vision and that we cannot guarantee that it will eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. As with any medical procedure, there are risks and possible complications.

We will provide you with additional information about the procedure, possible side effects and complications, the postoperative healing course, and possible alternative procedures that will allow you to make an informed decision. Be sure to have all of your questions answered before you give your consent to have the procedure.

The Next Step
Schedule an appointment to have an assessment of the health and unique characteristics of your eyes. This first step toward visual independence, along with a discussion about your lifestyle needs and visual expectations, will help determine if Amoils Advanced Surface Laser Vision Treatment (Superficial Epi-Laser) is the right procedure for you.

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MORE!: Ziemer Femto LASIK, an Alternative for SBK Thin-Flap LASIK: Our recommended treatment for patients with high nearsightedness and high farsightedness with adequate corneal thickness at the Shealy Eye Laser Center!

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Outcomes of SBK Thin-Flap Laser Vision Correction or Treatment:

Dr. Shealy's Outcomes After Switching to SBK Thin Flap Laser Vision Correction 85% of the Time as of June 2008 - Results Reported December 1, 2009

		These graphs show the number of days it takes most patients to see 20/20 after laser vision correction. My outcomes include results for Surface Ablation for distance only. Recently, the rate of our 20/20 outcomes has improved dramatically with the increased speed of recovery from Thin-Flap LASIK. "This is an advancement in flap LASIK surgery which has been abandoned almost universally in the USA." See scanning electron micrograph images above.
		Outcomes for laser vision correction registered globally in 25,000 patients using available laser and LASIK. The overall retreatment rate is around 20% to 25% without regard to prescription. The world rate of 20/20 vision at 120 days and beyond is about 96% with lower ranges of prescriptions of less than 13 of myopia, and +6 of hyperopia with up 6 diopters of astigmatism.

1. Our patients in the last two years, since 2007, are not returning their 6 month follow up visits. We attribute this to the immediate satisfaction in the outcomes of their procedure.

2. Our 121 to 240 day outcomes include retreated eyes from previous refractive procedures, like radial keratotomy or conventional laser vision correction, as compared to previously untreated patients.

3. We project that in the future, very few patients are going to come back for follow up exams at 6 weeks after their initial procedure.

Dr. Shealy's Archived Outcomes

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