CustomVue® Wavefront Technology

What is Wavefront Technology?

Wavefront technology has been used for years to adjust telescopes to eliminate aberrations caused by the earth's atmosphere. This technology, applied to LASIK surgery, offers a very high degree of safety and precision in shaping the cornea. Wavefront technology is used both to diagnose aberrations, as well as to ablate the excess tissue.

What are the Advantages of Wavefront Technology?

The CustomVue® wavefront can pinpoint a broader range of refractive errors than other diagnostic methods, giving many patients, who could not qualify for other procedures, the option for LASIK corrective surgery. As a diagnostic measure, CustomVue® wavefront is accurate enough to determine if the patients' aberrations would be made worse from surgery, or it can determine which LASIK procedure is best for the specific individual.

CustomVue® wavefront's accuracy in ablating excess corneal tissue results in more precise shaping of the cornea. Many patients experience outcomes of better than 20/20 vision. It can also diagnose higher order aberrations better than other diagnostic methods can.

And If That Isn't Enough

According to USAeyes.org, a LASIK-patient advocacy organization, "…virtually every person considering Lasik, LASEK, PRK, or Epi-Lasik should have a wavefront diagnostic evaluation." Read more about CustomVue® and wavefront technology.

Dr. Carter and his staff at the Carter Eye Center in Dallas have extensive experience, and work with state-of-the-art equipment, including the CustomVue® VISX STAR 4 wavefront laser. You can feel confident in getting the best care possible. Please call 1-800-950-2020 or contact the Carter Eye Center for a free consultation.

LATISSE® for Longer, Thicker, Darker Lashes

If you have tried every mascara, extensions, or false lashes, you know the shortcomings of all these methods for achieving the fuller, darker lashes you desire. Now, there is a treatment clinically proven to help you grow your own lashes significantly thicker, longer, and darker.

LATISSE® is the first and only FDA-Approved treatment for helping you grow thicker, longer, and darker lashes. There is no surgery, and it requires no downtime. All it takes is applying LATISSE® to your lashes on a daily basis, and after a few short weeks, your lashes will grow in thicker and darker.

In clinical trials, nearly 80% of participants saw significant improvement in the appearance of their eyelashes. On average, those seeing results had lashes that were 25% longer, 106% fuller, and 18% darker. The only common side effects are itchy eyes and eye redness, but for many these went away with use.

If you would like to learn more about this exciting new treatment for achieving more attractive lashes, please contact the Carter Eye Center in Dallas, Texas today.

Crystalens®

Planning for lens implant surgery is no small consideration and is worth researching until you are fully satisfied with your decision. One of the most popular and successful brands of lenses to choose is Crystalens®, an accommodating intraocular lens. Crystalens® was approved by the FDA in 2003, and its long history of success speaks well about its value.

Why Implants?

Lens implants are typically recommended to correct cataracts (clouding of the lens,) presbyopia (loss of flexibility in the lens,) or refractive lens disease. Of the three major intraocular lenses (IOL) on the market, Crystalens® is the only one that focuses under the control of your eye muscles, much the same as the natural crystalline lens it replaces. The implant procedure is not complex and takes only about 20 minutes per eye. The second implant can be done about a week later.

Crystalens® provides vision in all three ranges–near, mid-range, and distance–and provides the best night vision of the top brands. It offers the best clarity of vision, and stable long-term outcomes.

Be Aware and Prepare

Some of the drawbacks to Crystalens® implants are that it may take longer to adapt to them than with other brands of IOLs, and some insurances don’t pay for all of the costs. The Carter Eye Center's payment plan might be a perfect solution for costs that aren't covered.

Experience Counts

An important consideration for choosing Crystalens® is to make sure your eye surgeon has plenty of experience. Dr. Harvey Carter of Carter Custom Care in Dallas, Texas was the first physician to implant Crystalens® after it received FDA approval. He has performed more Crystalens® procedures than any eye surgeon in the world.

The Carter Eye Center in Dallas invites you to come in for a free consultation to learn more about Crystalens®. Please contact us at 1-800-950-2020 or through our online contact page.

LASIK

LASIK is one of the more well-known types of eye surgery. As with each different type of surgery, it corrects specific aberrations of the eye. Even though it is similar to other surgeries, both in procedure and in purpose(s), it is the unique features of LASIK, along with the unique results of your eye examination, that indicate to your eye surgeon whether it is the procedure that will get you the best results.

Is it LASIK or LASEK?

LASIK is often confused with LASEK, a distinctly different procedure. Both LASIK and LASEK procedures are used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and refractive errors. LASIK, an acronym for Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis, uses a different laser-assisted approach to correct these problems. The differences are in both the procedure itself, and in the equipment used to perform the surgery.

LASIK involves exposing the corneal tissue peeling back the epithelial and stroma tissue in thin layers. The layers are actually flaps that remain attached by a "hinge." Because they are not completely severed, this prevents the destruction of any of those tissues, improves healing time, and lessens pain and risk. The exposed corneal tissue can, then, be ablated–removed and sculpted to its most effective shape.

As wonderful as LASIK can be for restoring 20/20 vision, it isn't a one-size-fits-all procedure. A thorough examination by a qualified eye surgeon is the first step in learning what LASIK can do for you. Dr. Harvey Carter is unique in his field, with experience as a core investigator in the ISRS LASIK Study,

Please contact us or schedule a free consultation at Carter Custom Care LASIK in Dallas.

IntraLASIK

What is IntraLASIK?

IntraLASIK is a blade-free, all-laser LASIK procedure. It uses a laser to cut the corneal flap as well as to shape the cornea. Compared to shaping the cornea using the microkeratome blade procedure, some studies show that the IntraLASIK procedure may have a higher success rate in achieving 20/20 vision, but research is not, yet, conclusive about this. Other studies show similar outcomes for both procedures after six months.

How is it Different from the Microkeratome Blade Procedure?

IntraLASIK uses a computer-controlled laser to deliver femtosecond pulses of laser light to the cornea. These pulses are precisely directed to a specified depth and postion, creating a series of bubbles that connect and form a space. This space creates a flap with a vertical edge, which heals better than the tapered edge flap created by the microkeratome blade. IntraLASIK cuts more precisely and is a completely sterile procedure.

Also, because of this vertical edge cut, many patients qualify for IntraLASIK who previously did not qualify for LASIK performed with a microkeratome blade. These include patients who have thin corneas or corneas of disadvantageous shape.

Which Procedure is Best for Me?

As with any eye surgery, IntraLASIK requires a thorough examination by a qualified, experienced eye surgeon. Because there are advantages and disadvantages to both IntraLASIK and microkeratome methods, your surgeon must determine, based upon your examination, the best option for you. For more information see our frequently asked questions page.

The staff at the Carter Eye Center in Dallas has extensive experience and work with state-of-the-art equipment. Please call 1-800-950-2020 or contact us today for a free, personalized consultation.

Life After LASIK – Much Improved!

The vast majority of people who have their vision corrected using LASIK are very happy with their results. LASIK corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The correction is instant and permanent.

When your procedure is finished and you are given the OK to go home (you will need a ride home), you can already see so clearly that most people are startled and astonished and full of wonder. They have never had this freedom of vision, where they can look from their watch to the child crossing the street to the mountains on the horizon and it is all equally clear.

LASIK Recovery
The first day or two your eyes will be a bit sensitive to light. In fact the first day you might just want to sleep. But you can return to normal activities in a day or two and typically leave your glasses at home. A day or two is the immediate recovery period and full recovery is thought to be three months. Over that period your vision will slowly improve even more. You will probably have dry eyes in this period and your eye surgeon will prescribe moisturizing eyedrops. The dryness will resolve itself in a few months.

When you are fully recovered, you will be delighted at the freedom you now have.
• You can perform better in sports without glasses
• There is no more bother with contact lenses falling out or getting lost
• You can add more spontaneity to your life, going out for a movie, a bike ride, a picnic, without any vision concerns
• You can pick up any printed material and see it clearly
• The computer monitor will be crystal clear

Each person has their particular joy according to their lifestyle and favorite activities.

Dr. Carter will want to check your eyes in follow-up visits. They will become less frequent and will end after about a year.

Please contact LASIK surgeon Dr. Harvey Carter today if you would like to learn more about LASIK and whether you are a good candidate for it. We hope to see you soon in our friendly Dallas, Texas vision correction office.

LASIK Age Requirements

To have a LASIK surgery, you need to be an adult -- over the age of 18. There is a good medical reason for this. Our eyes and vision continue to develop through the adolescent years and do not stabilize enough for laser vision correction until approximately 18 years of age.

For a LASIK vision correction to be effective and long-lasting, the eyes need to have the same prescription for at least a year. If LASIK were to be done on eyes that were still changing or developing, the reshaping would not hold and vision would again become blurry.

On the other end of the age continuum, an older person might be a good LASIK candidate, or might not, depending on other eye conditions. Dr. Carter would do a thorough eye exam and vision test. If the lens is beginning to develop early cataracts, that would need to be addressed first. There would be little purpose in correcting the corneal shape for better vision if the lens was becoming cloudy and impairing vision.

Similarly, if an older person is developing glaucoma, that would need treatment. There is no cure for glaucoma, but it can be managed with eyedrops that lower the pressure inside the eye. Dr. Carter would determine whether laser vision correction would be appropriate. Other eye conditions that tend to occur during or after mid-life would be assessed and may disqualify you for LASIK.

To learn more about your LASIK candidacy and have your questions answered, please contact our vision correction office today for a free personal consultation.