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 The most common cause of blurry vision is a refractive error. This occurs when the light rays that enter the eye, passing through the cornea and lens, do not focus on the retina. This causes myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) or astigmatism.
Dr. Farbowitz can diagnose and treat these refractive errors with a high degree of precision and accuracy using sophisticated equipment and advanced surgery. Refractive errors can be corrected in 3 ways: the most common are with glasses and/or contact lenses, which can redirect the light rays to focus onto the retina, eliminating blurry vision. Refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK) uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea to better focus the incoming light.
Laser vision correction is surprisingly affordable. Many insurance and vision plans offer discounts. Financing is also readily available. Click here to find out more about possible financing options.
LASIK is the most common refractive procedure done worldwide. This procedure involves the use of an instrument called a microkeratome to cut a flap of corneal tissue. This flap is then folded back on itself to expose the center of the cornea. The excimer laser is then used to reshape the cornea, removing small amounts of tissue. The flap is then replaced over the changed surface, effectively decreasing nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The flap self seals in a matter of minutes. Dr. Farbowitz uses the VISX S4 laser. This laser is among the most widely used lasers for vision correction, worldwide.
LASIK is performed under topical anesthesia (eye drops) with light sedation. The surgery itself is not painful. An instrument holds your eyelids open to prevent you from blinking. The procedure takes approximately 5 minutes per eye. After the surgery a clear protective shield is placed over the eyes, and you are asked to use eye drops for about one week to control inflammation and prevent infection. For the first 12-18 hours after the procedure, you may experience some mild discomfort and blurred vision. When you awaken the next morning, most of the discomfort gone, and the vision begins to improve. Most people feel comfortable enough with their vision to drive or return to work the day after surgery.
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| A thin flap of corneal tissue is surgically created and folded back. |
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The laser makes precise contact with the cornea, reshaping it. |
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The flap of the cornea is replaced and vision is improved. |
When you elect to undergo laser vision correction, Dr. Farbowitz will discuss all the possible side effects in detail with you.
Over the last few years laser vision has been taken to the next level of precision and accuracy with CustomVue™ laser vision correction. Until 2003, surgeons were only able to correct a patient's refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism). Therefore, two patients with the same refractive error received the identical laser treatment. However, no two patients are alike, and surgeons can now measure the unique characteristics of each patient's eyes and treat not just the refractive error but the higher order aberrations (HOAs) that also contribute to blurred vision. Using a device designed by NASA scientists that is used to detect imperfections in mirrors used on satellites, the surgeon performs a Wavescan™ diagnostic test that determines the amount and types of HOAs, in addition to an extremely accurate determination of your refractive error. This information is then digitally transferred to the laser machine, where your HOAs and
refractive error can be treated.
Click here for more information on LASIK
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 PRK uses the excimer laser to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. PRK is also known as surface ablation, since the laser treatment is performed close to the surface of the cornea, compared to LASIK, where the treatment is done under a flap of the cornea. The laser removes a small amount of tissue to flatten or steepen the cornea to correct the refractive error of the eye.
PRK is performed under topical anesthesia (eye drops) with light sedation. The surgery itself is not painful. An instrument holds your eyelids open to prevent you from blinking. The procedure takes approximately 5 minutes per eye. The surgeon gently removes the surface layer of cells of the cornea. The laser then reshapes the cornea. After the surgery a contact lens bandage is placed on the eyes and medications are given. You are asked to use eye drops for several weeks to months to control inflammation and prevent infection.
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Possible benefits of LASIK when compared to PRK are:
- Faster visual recovery since the treatment is done under a flap, and the corneal surface is undisturbed.
- Relatively little discomfort, since the corneal surface is undisturbed.
- Potential decreased risk of haze and scarring of the cornea.
Potential risks of LASIK when compared to PRK are:
- Difficulty creating the LASIK flaps.
- Damage to the flaps during or after the surgery
In addition, patients with thin corneas, steep corneas of very dry eyes may be better candidates for PRK rather than LASIK. Dr. Farbowitz can determine which procedure is right for you at your preoperative examination.
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 Dr. Farbowitz is proud to introduce the latest in LASIK technology, bladeless, or all laser lasik, using the Intralase laser.
LASIK is actually a two step procedure. The first step involves the creation of a flap of tissue in the cornea. This flap is then folded over on itself and the laser is then used to reshape the cornea, eliminating nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The flap is then replaced in its original position, resulting in a remarkably quick recovery of vision with a minimum of discomfort. This is what has made LASIK the most popular method used for laser vision correction.
Traditionally, the flap has been created with a metal blade device, known as a microkeratome. Although the microkeratome has an excellent safety record, the majority of LASIK-related complications were due to irregularities encountered during the creation of the flap.
Dr. Farbowitz is one of the few surgeons locally who are now using the Intralase laser to create LASIK flaps. This exciting new technology replaces the metal blade with a laser that can now precisely position the flap exactly to the surgeon's specifications. For the average patient, bladeless LASIK with the Intralase affords an extra measure of security that the procedure will proceed exactly as planned. In addition, the quality of the flap created by the laser may result in better vision and more rapid recovery. Some patients who have thin or steep corneas, patients with dry eyes or other conditions may now be candidates for bladeless LASIK while they could not have bladed surgery. Ask Dr. Farbowitz if bladeless LASIK is right for you.
Click here for more information on Bladeless LASIK
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Dr. Farbowitz has extensive experience in the field of Laser Vision Correction. He has been performing LVC since 1998, and is one of the only fellowship-trained LASIK surgeons in the area, having spent a year at the prestigious Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA. Over the past few years, he has performed hundreds of surgeries and has many satisfied patients. Dr. Farbowitz performs all of his own surgery and sees all of his patients personally for their preoperative and postoperative visits. The personal care and attention to detail provided by Dr. Farbowitz sets Short Hills Ophthalmology apart from other practices. The result: excellent results and many satisfied patients. To see what our patients say about Dr. Farbowitz, click here. He is also a member of numerous local and national organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the International Society of Refractive Surgery and the New Jersey Academy of Ophthalmology. Feel free to ask our office for a copy of his Curriculum Vitae or for references to speak to some of our satisfied patients.
You should also know that Dr. Farbowitz has so much confidence in LASIK that he had it performed on his own eyes!
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