Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Myopia is often referred to as “nearsightedness” simply because people with myopia see objects that are near to them clearly, but have blurred vision with objects that are far away. In the case of myopia, the simple explanation if that the eyeball is too long, or the cornea might be too steep. This prevents the image from being focused properly on the retina at the back of the eye. Therefore, myopia is a refractive defect, or refractive error in the focusing of light by your eye. A refractive error causes reduced visual acuity, or simply a blurriness or unclear image. As of now, theories go back and forth about whether or not myopia is genetic or caused by environmental factors. However, with LASIK surgery technology and the expert surgeons at Broward County Lasik, you need not concern yourself with how it happened to you and only think about how quickly and efficiently Broward County Lasik can help you combat myopia, and how you will see much better without the use of contact lenses or glasses.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

Hyperopia is most often referred to as farsightedness, or long-sightedness. Those people with hyperopia, or hypermetropia have trouble focusing on objects close to them. This is because the eyeball is too short or the lens has trouble becoming round enough. The more the object moves closer, the blurrier the object gets with hyperopia. Patients who come into Broward County Lasik with hyperopia are often distraught because of the backwards nature of hyperopia, but we always assure results. When an object moves closer, the eye must increase power to have the image focused on the retina, but if the cornea and lens are insufficient the image will be blurred, as in hyperopia. At Broward County Lasik, we use the top technological resources and machinery, along with the best surgeons to help ease your mind and reverse this condition.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is blurriness in the focusing of objects by the eye caused by irregular curvatures in the cornea of lens of the eye. This usually happens because of a scar on the cornea or a problem with scattering of the lens. This causes a refractive error in the eye. Therefore, here at Broward County Lasik we use refractive surgery to help combat this condition. With top-notch service and specialists we can help your issues with astigmatism, and get your seeing clearly. Broward County Lasik sees countless cases of astigmatism, and you’ll see from our testimonials, and results, that we have what it takes to help you get through it and see better than ever.

A type of refractive surgery using a laser to correct issues like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism and to assist in the correction of eye sight.

Refractive Surgery

Eye surgery used to reduce or eradicate dependency on glasses or contact lenses by improving the refractive state of the eye. LASIK surgery is a form of refractive surgery.

Myopia

A defect in the eye caused by collimated light producing image focus on the front of the retina, so the person sees near objects well, but far away objects poorly. LASIK surgery can help this condition.

Hyperopia

A defect of vision often caused by a misshaped or too short eyeball making it difficult to focus on near objects. LASIK surgery can help this condition.

Astigmatism

An optical defect causing blurred vision due to an inability to focus a point object into a sharp focused image on the retina caused by an irregular curvature in the lens. LASIK surgery can help this condition.

Ophthalmology

A branch of medicine dealing with ailments and operations involving the visual pathways and areas surrounding the eye. LASIK surgery is part of Ophthalmology.

Wavefront Technology

An advanced diagnostic component to LASIK surgery using a laser to analyze specific issues involving the retina and other surrounding problem points that may cause poor sight.

Allegretto Wavelight

An advanced LASIK device designed to perform wavelength ablation profiles with a high laser pulse rate.

Introlase

A relatively new technology used to in the first step of LASIK, the flap creation. It used ultra fast femtosecond technology to provide a safe and precise flap creation procedure.

Refractive Intraocular Lenses

A new lens inserted into the eye without removing the old lens, such as in cataract surgery. This can be done through a form of LASIK surgery.

Conductive Keratoplasty

A vision technology used to combat the near vision, age-related optical condition called Presbyopia, a common problem in people over 40 years of age.

Presbyopia

A condition where the eye progressively exhibits diminished focusing ability on near objects, coinciding with the progression of age. LASIK surgery provides a procedure to combat this condition.

Retina

A light sensitive tissue the lines the inner surface of the eye. LASIK surgery often focuses attention on this area of the eye.

Lens

A transparent and biconvex structure on the eye that refracts light to be focused on the retina. LASIK surgery can be used to repair problems with the lens.

Cornea

The transparent front portion of the eye that covers the iris and pupil, and refracts light.

Iris

Controls the diameter size of the pupil. It also known as the colored part of the eye.

Pupil

The opening in the center of the Iris of the eye which brings in light to the retina.

Focal Length

The length of an optical system (eye) measures how strongly the system focuses and defocuses light. LASIK surgery is used to help increase the focal length.

Many times people struggle with the payments they know they will have to make to have successful LASIK results. Check out these tips to help make the decision easier.

-First, consider how much you pay for your uncomfortable contact lenses. The average monthly cost for contact lenses is $40. This is an annual cost of about $500, or roughly $2,500 over the course of five years.

-In addition to that, most people require a back up pair of corrective glasses every twelve to twenty-four months. That is an average cost of $1,500 you pay in addition to the contact lens cost.

-So over five years that’s an average of $4,000, and will continue like that every five years for the rest of your life.

Now, here are some things you need to know about the payment process at Broward County Lasik before you can consider starting the process.

-Making the down payment

Broward County Lasik requires a minimum deposit with any of our financing options. If you would prefer to pay a larger down payment so as to pay off the amount quicker, you can simply let us know the amount you would like to put down and we will adjust your financed portion accordingly.

-Penalties for paying off the loan early

Unlike most other laser centers around the country, Broward County Lasik will not charge you a prepayment penalty.

-Payment programs offered by Broward County Lasik

We offer same-as-cash programs and long-term interest-bearing loans for up to 60 months.

-When can you apply?

In order to qualify for a loan with Broward County Lasik, you have to apply at least 7 business days before your scheduled surgery. You can however apply as early as 90 days in advance of your surgery date.

-Current monthly payment average

At Broward County Lasik, current payment plans are starting as low as $102 a month for qualified patients.

-Contact Information for answering more financial questions

Broward County Lasik has a highly trained medical staff that will be more than happy to answer your questions. You can call us at 1-888-93-LASIK

From City and Shore – June/July 2008

Lessner attends players on and off of their respective playing fields, conducting preseason physicals, treating injuries suffered during games and performing LASIK surgeries. “Most Athletes will tell you that LASIK has enhanced their game,” he says. “Hockey players are able to pick the puck out of the air better, baseball players can the laces on the ball.”

From Ocean Drive – May 2008

When the Miami Dolphins score a touchdown or the Miami Heat hit a three-pointer, one proud fan might be a little brighter than the rest. Surgeon Cory M. Lessner, M.D., is the man entrusted with caring for the eyes of South Florida’s top professional athletes. “It’s an honor,” Lessner says of being the official LASIK surgeon to South Florida’s professional sports teams. “When they choose to say that it has helped their game, it’s a feeling I can’t really put into words.”

From Estate Magazine – September 2006

For those who have considered LASIK eye surgery in the past, there is no time like the present to learn more about what Cory M. Lessner, M.D. describes as the “world’s best kept secret.”

Dr. Lessner is the owner and Medical Director of Millennium Laser Eye Centers in Sunrise. For years, he has shared the “secret” – how precise, painless and easy LASIK eye surgery is – with professionals whose job performance depends upon superior vision. He has treated personalities such as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and former NFL coach and Fox TV News Anchor Jimmy Johnson, as well as news anchors like Dwight Lauderdale. As the official LASIK eye surgeon of the four major sports team in South Florida and now the Miami Hurricanes, he has also treated many professional athletes; Jeff Conine, Roberto Luongo, A.J. Burnett and Wade Smith to name a few. With the utmost confidence, they have chosen Dr. Lessner to give them the gift of sight.

United Press International – May 2006

Studies have shown sleeping in contacts could greatly increase risk for another type of keratitis infection, microbial keratitis.

These risks are why Cory M. Lessner, president and medical director of Millennium Eye Laser Centers in Sunrise, Fla., advocates laser vision correction — a set of technologies in which a laser reshapes the cornea.

“Whenever people talk about laser vision correction, they say, ‘Oh no, what about the danger.’ But I tell them people are sleeping in extended-wear lenses, putting them 18 times more at risk for corneal ulcers,” Lessner said.

Refractive surgery is a collection of procedures that strive to permanently reduce or eliminate a person’s need for corrective eyewear when trying to observe objects in the distance. Such procedures include:

Laser assisted in-situ keratotomy (LASIK)

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)

Radial keratotomy and astigmatic keratotomy (RK/AK)

Laser Thermal Keratoplasty (LTK)

Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)

What is the history of the excimer laser?

Developed by IBM in 1976 to etch computer chips, it’s unprecedented precision made it a popular device used in a wide range of applications. In 1983, Stephen L. Trokel, M.D. and a physicist named R. Srinivasan applied it to corneal tissue. The first treatment was in 1987 at LSU, between 1987 and 1995 many companies worked to get U.S. approval to use the Argon Fluoride excimer laser.

How does LASIK work?

Before the process begins, numbing drops are placed in the eye and a speculum is placed in the eye to prevent you from blinking.  An Broward County Lasik ophthalmologist uses the computer-guided excimer laser to remove a thin layer of tissue from the cornea. The great thing is there are no needles and no pain. Next, an instrument called a microkeratome is used to lift up a thin layer of the corneal tissue and left attached on a hinge. Then, the laser sculpts the tissue from the corneal bed. Finally, the flap is gently put back into place, and reattached without any sutures.

How long does the LASIK procedure take?

The actual procedure only takes between 15 and 90 seconds, but most patients are in the laser suite for a maximum of 20 minutes. As far as total time at Broward County Lasik, you should be in and out in about an hour.

Why has LASIK become the most preferred procedure for most patients and surgeons?

With the healing process taking place in the interior of the cornea, and no regrowth of any surface cells, visual rehabilitation is very fast and there is no need for long term post-op drops. The corneal flap acts as an immediate protector for the treated area, and therefore there is usually little or no post-op discomfort.

How do I know if I’m a good candidate for LASIK surgery?

Here are some reasons that might make you a good candidate for LASIK surgery at Broward County Lasik.

-You dislike being dependent on glasses for clear vision.

-You never could comfortably wear contact lenses

-Corrective lenses limit your ability to take part in sports or other activities.

-You much prefer your appearance without glasses.

-Worrying about losing your glasses or corrective lenses causes you stress.

-Good vision without lenses is more important to you than having great vision with lenses.

-You’d be happy if your vision was much improved even if you had to still wear corrective lenses occasionally.

-You adjust well to change.

-You are an easy going person

-Going without corrective lenses could open up new career opportunities for you.

-You often wish you didn’t have to wear corrective lenses.

Medical Director – Dr. Cory M. Lessner

Since graduating from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia in 1987 where he earned his doctorate, he has completed over 20,000 successful corneal refractive surgeries and has become one of the most respected and most skilled surgeons in the laser eye surgery discipline.

Broward County Lasik’s own Dr. Lessner is board certified from the American Board of Ophthalmology, a member in good standing with American Medical Association, and a card-carrying member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Throughout his years working with Broward County Lasik he has won many industry awards and honors. His dedication to the field is unmatched, and laser eye surgeons around the country benefit from his innovative surgical refinement techniques, which have all together improved the industry and the practice of the surgery.

Dr. Cory M. Lessner is the official laser eye surgeon for the Miami Dolphins, the Miami Heat, the Florida Panthers, and the Florida Marlins, and has given many celebrities and local personalities outstanding, life-changing results. Dr. Lessner continues his commitment to providing the best experience possible when receiving LASIK surgery, and he is personally involved in every procedure at Broward County Lasik.

Clinical Director – Kacie A. Breault, O.D.

Dr. Kacie A. Breault became a Doctor of Optometry after graduating from Pennsylvania’s College of Optometry in Philadelphia, where she also received a bachelor’s degree in vision science and was awarded clinical honors. Originally from Southbay, Connecticut, she also graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. She was also granted the prestigious lifetime membership in the Golden Key International Honor Society.

In addition to her extensive education, Broward County Lasik’s Dr. Kacie A. Breault is licensed to practice optometry in Florida, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. She is a member of the American and Florida Optometric Associations, as well as the Palm Beach Optometric Society, and the Southern Council of Optometrists. She shares the same passion as Dr. Lessner for the field of laser eye surgery, and dedicates her time to making every patient’s time at Broward County Lasik a great and successful experience.