To correct your vision there are two options i.e. traditional or blade LASIK or bladeless Intralase surgery. Patients who want to undergo LASIK procedures have a responsibility to know as much as they can gain knowledge about it. Getting more knowledge will facilitate them in optimizing their results and choose a procedure presumably to create optimistic results, says Dr. Kevin Niksarli.
Several studies that are available on blade and bladeless surgery are contradicting and signifying both blade LASIK and Intralase (bladeless) procedures bring similar outcomes. Though it may appear quite overwhelming to a layman, but being a patient you should know the difference among these two types of surgery and the benefits and risks associated with each of them.
In the process of traditional (blade) LASIK microkeratome is used to cut a thin flap in the cornea. In order to reveal the stoma (the middle cover of the cornea) the flap is folded back. To reshape the corneal surface by correcting refractive errors a laser of high accuracy, called the excimer laser, is used by the surgeon. The flap is then relocated to perform as a natural cover. The microkeratome which used to produce a flap in actual is a surgical blade and hence the process is also termed as blade LASIK.
With the advent of innovative techniques a high energy laser (Intralase laser) is used to produce a flap during surgery. It is just opposite to conventional LASIK as in Intralase surgical blade is not employed and this is the reason why the procedure is often promoted “all laser” or “bladeless” LASIK. The word itself has raged a dispute between eye surgeons, as to whether it should be employed in Intralase promotions or not. A number of surgeons emphasized that the term “bladeless” involves that conventional LASIK, which is done by using microkeratome (surgical blade), is a scarier proposal, when in reality it’s not.
Producing a flap is a significant part of the laser eye surgery process. It’s fact that flap certainty is enhanced with a laser flap or bladeless LASIK. Furthermore, there is an abridged risk of flap complications, such as flap dislocation, free flaps, partial flaps etc. However, a professional surgeon manipulating a contemporary microkeratome can very well meet the refinement of bladeless LASIK. Although the possibilities are exceptional, there is a concern of ephemeral light sensitivity as well – a distinctive risk related with bladeless LASIK.
Moreover, as compared to the traditional LASIK procedure, the LASIK method which is bladeless may cost additional $300 for every eye. Whether it’s blade or bladeless, LASIK itself is one of the harmless refractive surgery technique, it mainly depends on the eye surgeon of your preference. It is a good option to go for a microkeratome procedure only if the surgeon is well experienced in carrying it out. If otherwise, you can prefer the relatively innovative bladeless LASIK surgery.
So knowing everything about the blade LASIK and Bladeless LASIK you can opt the one about which you are more confident, says Dr. Kevin Niksarli.
About Manhattan LASIK Center and Dr. Niksarli
Dr. Kevin Niksarli has performed thousands of successful LASIK procedures. Learn more about LASIK eye surgery by watching Dr. Kevin Niksarli’s video.
Why Choose Dr. Kevin Niksarli ?
- Dr. Kevin Niksarli’s practice is exclusively dedicated to LASIK and Laser Vision Correction. Since approval of the Excimer Laser in 1995, Dr. Niksarli has performed over 45,000 successful LASIK procedures.
- There are two main ways ophthalmologist get involved with LASIK: 1) Year long fellowship in refractive surgery, or 2) a weekend course. Fellowship training is much more detailed, and involves managing complicated cases as well as performing surgeries with varying degrees of complexity. Dr. Kevin Niksarli is fellowship trained in Cornea, LASIK, Laser Vision Correction and Refractive Surgery. His qualifications are well above the average surgeon performing LASIK.
- Other physicians and surgeons entrust their vision with Dr. Kevin Niksarli based on his experiences, training and LASIK results.
- Dr. Kevin Niksarli’s practice is dedicated 100% to LASIK and laser vision correction.
For more information contact Dr. Kevin Niksarli for a FREE Lasik consultation.
Read Some of our Testimonials
“My name is Elvis T. and I have been wearing eye glasses since I was 5 years old. Yesterday I had lasik surgery and today when I wake up I was able to see my alarm clock and everthything else in my room. For the first time in my life I could see everything and didn’t have to scramble around for my eye glasses. This painless procedure gave me 20/20 vision and enabled me to do things I could not do with my glasses or contacts. This is a dream come true and I would recommend Dr. Kevin Niksarli and the Lasik procedure to anyone. My mother, sister and I have all had it done and don’t regret a thing.”
“My name is Ellona. I had my procedure done on Wednesday and the next day, Thursday I was better than perfect. My vision currently is 20/20. I feel like a brand new person, it feels great to be able to see without my glasses. Everything seems so much brighter and more vivid. The staff at Manhattan Lasik Center is outrageous, very friendly and most of all helpful. I would highly recommend Manhattan Lasik Center”
“I got my LASIK at Manhattan Lasik Center a month ago. My younger brother had his eyes corrected 2 years ago by Dr. Kevin Niksarli. Dr. Niksarli is an awesome surgeon, and is a really nice guy. He has the best technology in NY. I came from NJ for my LASIK. Worth the trip. Now I’ve got 20/15 vision, better than 20/20! Everyone I met there was great too. The staff, the technicians. The best money I ever spent. My brother is coming in 2 weeks for his LASIK. My friend will be here next week for his LASIK.
Thank you so much for giving me back my vision!”
“I had really bad vision to the point that i could not see the BIG E on the vision chart…-9.25 and -8.50. I went in on a friday 10/6/2006 was a little nervous, but the procedure was painless and done in 10 Minutes!!!… Doctor Kevin K. Niksarli is great at what he does and makes sure every operation is calculated and costumized for each person…When i came in on saturday morning they tested me on the chart and told me that i am at 20/20!!!! I am soooo HAPPYY…I would recomend Lasik to anyone that is thinking of doing it ….BEST MONEY I EVER SPENT!!!!”
“Don’t dream again..no more glasses, no more contacts, no more red eyes…
If you still hesitate don’t.
The surgery will change your life.
My only regret is to have waited so long.
I recommend Manhattan Lasik Center because everything went better than expected.
It is pricey than other places but it is my eyes we are talking about and I don’t want a bargain there.
I am 6 months after the surgery and still reaching to take my glasses off at night…LOL. I smile and go to sleep.”
Lasik…Just do it!
“Thank you so much for your wonderful and amazing work. I am totally impressed with your loving staff and the support I was provided with. Your experience, compassion was just mind blowing. I visited 3 centers before I came to this one. And like they say, First impression is the last impression. Honestly, my first impression of this center was good, friendly staff greeted me and then led by the patient consultant, manager and then the doctors.
Myself being a medical resident, I had many questions in mind before getting this procedure done as I look forward for my future career; it was a major decision for me. But at the end of it all, I am now fully satisfied and would definitely refer this center to my patients.
I was yet once again very delighted with all the work that was put in by the doctors and the staff. They all spent immense time with me, answering all my questions, making me feel comfortable.
My ability to see 20/20 the next morning was an amazing feeling which cannot be described in words, on how it feels to be able to see without glasses or contacts.
The only things I now leave behind when I leave my house are my “Glasses”.
I can now wear my long awaited coolers once again. Thank you so very much.”
Patient Eduction Articles >
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is an eye disease mostly affecting people over the age of 55 says Dr. Kevin Niksarli. It is one of the leading causes of blindness today. Macular degeneration is often referred to as age-related macular degeneration, or ARMD. As America’s population ages, this affliction will become more common. Dr. Kevin Niksarli says when an eye becomes affected by macular degeneration, the central part of the retina, the macula, loses its ability to focus sharply. This can result in the loss of a person’s central vision and will impact the ability to read and drive says Dr. Niksarli. When looking at anything, the middle portion of the object will be a dark blur. There is some peripheral vision remaining in most cases of macular degeneration according to Dr. Kevin Niksarli.
The retina is the part of the eye that has the nerves that send visual information to the brain. Macular degeneration occurs in two forms – wet and dry – but both will cause vision loss to some degree. Dry ARMD actually causes the loss of the rods and cones from the eye. An increased deposition of retinal pigment is what causes this condition. This form of macular degeneration is the most common kind and usually has a slow progression says Dr. Kevin Niksarli. At this time, there is no specific treatment for dry macular degeneration, but research continues to try to find an effective medical treatment. Nutritional supplements, antioxidants, have been shown to delay or slow down the progression of this disease.
Wet macular degeneration is the more rarely occurring form of the disease, but it will often produce symptoms more quickly than the dry form. In this form of ARMD, blood vessels grow behind the retina. These blood vessels will leak and destroy retinal cells, and seriously impact vision. The good news is that there are now new drug treatments available that can help to stop and, in some cases, reverse the growth of the problematic blood vessels. As Dr. Kevin Niksarli has always kept himself current in the latest methods and treatments of eye care, he is your best source of information about both forms of macular degeneration – how to diagnose the condition, and possible treatment.
To some extent, macular degeneration will be unavoidable if this disease has a genetic link. If macular degeneration runs in your family, it will increase the probability that you will also develop it. A certain percentage of older people will also develop macular degeneration simply as a by product of aging, without a hereditary connection. Regardless, it is often beneficial to begin a vitamin and antioxidant therapy before symptoms actually show up.
Besides the factors of age and genetics, there are other things that have been found to increase the chances of developing macular degeneration. High blood pressure can often found to contribute to ARMD, so controlling high blood pressure will help to prevent macular degeneration to some extent. Dr. Kevin Niksarli will help to determine is high blood pressure is affecting your vision and help you take steps to control it. He will also explain that smoking and obesity will make it more likely that macular degeneration will develop. Smoking not only will double your chance of being afflicted with ARMD, but will also make the symptoms more severe.
Cost of Cataract Surgery
When looking into the costs associated with cataract eye surgery, Dr. Kevin Niksarli says the patient should first become familiar with the different types of lens available. Probably the most widely used lens is the standard artificial lens, or intraocular lens (IOL). This lens will generally provide good distance vision, but glasses for reading or driving will be necessary. According to Dr. Kevin Niksarli, your condition after surgery will basically be that of a far sighted person. Sometimes, people will choose to have a lens that provides distance vision put into one eye, and a lens for close up vision in the other. This is termed monovision, and may need some time to adjust to says Dr. Kevin Niksarli.
It is also possible to have a premium artificial lens put in at the time of your surgery. This premium IOL will allow you to see at various distances – near, middle, and far. Generally, you will not need to wear any kind of glasses after the installation of premium lenses. However, Dr. Kevin Niksarli says you should be aware that premium lenses will cost quite a bit more than the standard kind.
The cost for most cataract surgeries is borne mostly by Medicare and private insurance plans. Surgical implantation of a standard lens will usually cost between $1,500 and $3,000 per eye. Dr. Niksarli also says the price that will be charged for cataract surgery will also depend in part on what area of the country you live in. The price can also be dependent upon the surgeon that you choose, what he or she believes their expertise should cost. You should feel free to discuss the costs associated with cataract surgery with Dr. Kevin Niksarli and his staff. They will help you to find a method to pay for the surgery that will be the easiest for you.
Most insurances and Medicare, while covering treatment with a standard IOL, will not pay for the implantation of a premium artificial lens. This is a cost that will considered elective, and you will have to pay for it yourself. The cost for surgical implantation of a premium lens in both eyes can be up to $5,000 per eye.
Although the cost of these cataract surgeries might seem high, you must remember that your eye surgeon underwent years of training and testing just to acquire the knowledge and skill to restore your vision. You might also take into account the fact that in all likeliness, if you choose to have Premium IOLs implanted, you will never need to buy a pair of eyeglasses again. As eyeglasses can easily cost $500 or more, it is easy to see that dispensing with them, or contact lenses, makes the cost of this cataract surgery much more reasonable.
If you do choose a premium lens for your cataract surgery, most surgeons like Kevin Niksarli will help you to finance your surgery through one of several plans available. There are several nationally available plans that deal specifically with vision or other health costs. Dr. Niksarli and his billing staff will be your best source of information for these.