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"Sunday Rounds"
National Radio Cable Program

Dr. Barrie Soloway of Vista Alliance Eye Care Associates was featured live on the November 22^nd taping of "Sunday Rounds" national radio program. There, he described to anchor John Stupak, the benefits of LASIK laser eye surgery for people with hyperopia (farsightedness) and myopia (nearsightedness).  Until now, excimer laser surgery has only been available for people who have nearsightedness. Dr. Soloway has been the only physician in New York State to offer this state-of-the-art surgery to patients in clinical trials.

During the first part of the hour, John asks Dr. Soloway to explain the differences between the older laser corrective surgery, RK, and the new, LASIK procedure to listeners.

"With PRK," says Dr. Soloway, "we needed to scrape the skin of the cornea off. We would then use the excimer laser to re-shape the cornea in order for it to better focus on the retina. The procedure was fairly painful, and took about three days to heal.

"With the current LASIK surgery, instead of scraping away at the skin, we use a special instrument, called a microkeratome which creates a flap in the cornea. We lift it, and use the same laser to reshape the cornea, and bring the flap back to seal for a smooth finish. After about 30 seconds, the area begins to heal. Molecules like Velcro start the adherence process.  We let it sit for about three to four minutes.  During this time, the epithelial pump provides a suction cup mechanism for it to stay intact.  After about four minutes, the flap is sealed enough so that the lid won't dislodge the flap. No stitches are involved. We give the patients plastic shields to protect them from touching their eyes."

John asks Dr. Soloway how quickly patients see results.  "Immediately after the procedure the patient will see better than they were seeing before the surgery.  They'll be able to navigate without the use of glasses or contact lenses.  The next morning, most people are anywhere in the 20/20 to 20/80 vision range." Continues Dr. Soloway, "After the first week, about 75 percent of patients are back to their best-corrected vision which is not always 20/20. It's very miraculous." The object of the surgery, adds Dr. Soloway, is to get people to be able to function better without glasses. "We can get patients out of glasses about 98 percent of the time."

Are there complications, asks John.  "It's very safe.  The most common occurrence is what we call 'under correction.'  which means there wasn't a complete response to the laser. So, someone who was 20/400 before the surgery, ends up seeing around 20/40 or 20/50.  Typically, after things stabilize after two or three months, we take the patient back to a laser center to perform a touch-up.  Re-treatment after an under correction is probably the most common occurrence. But that's very easy to take care of," says Dr. Soloway.

As far as long term problems are concerned, Dr. Soloway said that for the first few months, some patients may experience a glare or halo effect around lights. This happens because the surface around the eye isn't as smooth.  "Artificial tear drops will help this," he says.

"After six months, most people are doing well, and the other 25 percent who don't get to 20/20 are usually in the 20/25 range," Dr. Soloway tells John.  Some patients are in the 20/30 range. 

John asks Dr. Soloway about the cost of a LASIK surgery. "This procedure is not covered by insurance.  It is in the $5-$5,500 range for both eyes, but that amount is all-inclusive."

If you wear glasses, or contact lenses and would like to be less dependent upon them, or if you would like to listen to this cassette or see television segments in which Dr. Soloway has appeared, please call toll-free 1-888-NYLASIK.

If you don't want to be dependent on glasses or contact lenses call Vista Alliance Eye Care Associates, The New York LASIK doctors toll free at 1-888-NYLASIK (1-888-695-2745) for more information on any of our Vision Correction procedures (LASIK, INtacs, ICL or SRP), to schedule a personal evaluation to help you determine the right prodecure for you, or to register for one of our classes or  seminars