Introduction to Laser Surgery

Dr. Edelman's practice specializes in Laser Refractive Surgery management. We manage pre and post-operative care in our local offices in Peekskill and Yorktown, New York. Dr Edelman is affiliated with several centers for Laser Vision Correction and will choose the center that is best suited for each individual patient's needs. Dr. Edelman strives to be optically exact, and doesn't rush his evaluations. He will fully answer all questions and determine the pros and cons for each patient. Successful outcome requires careful pre-evaluation and the best surgical skills; that is why Dr. Edelman has had great success with this procedure.

Dr. Edelman is affiliated with the American Optometric Association, Westchester Rockland-Putnam Optometric Society; Excimer Laser Corrective Management, Inc (ELCoM) TLC Laser Centers; Peekskill-Cortlandt Chamber of Commerce; and was appointed to the SUNY College of Optometry College Council. He is also an active member of The Peekskill Fire Department and a 35 year member of the Peekskill Lions Club.

Laser Vision Correction. Look Before You Leap. Is it Right For Me?

Eyesight problems are unique to each individual. Dr. Edelman will thoroughly examine your eyes and discuss in detail the appropriate options available for your specific vision problems. Call Dr. Edelman at 914-737-3130, say you read about Laser Vision Correction on his web site, and then set up an appointment for your FREE consultation.

As with any medical procedure, you should make every effort to understand what is involved. Having realistic expectations and understanding possible complications or side effects will make you better prepared. During your FREE consultation, Dr. Edelman will discuss the procedure and let you know what you can expect. He will determine if you are a candidate for Laser Vision Correction, and if so, he will recommend the procedure that will be most appropriate for you. After your consultation, there is no obligation to move forward with this procedure.

To be considered for Laser Vision Correction, you should:
- Be at least 18 years of age or older.
- Have stable vision for a year prior to the procedure.
- Be free of certain diseases of the cornea and retina.
- Be in good general health.

Aside from these general requirements, Dr. Edelman will perform a number of visual tests to determine whether or not you're a candidate for Laser Vision Correction. Call Dr. Edelman now at 914-737-3130 for you FREE consultation.

Refractive Conditions and How They can be Corrected

Myopia or nearsightedness, is a refractive error in which near objects are seen clearly but distant objects appear blurred. With Myopia, a steeply curved cornea or elongated eye causes light rays to be focused in front of the retina and distance vision is blurred.

Hyperopia or Farsightedness is a refractive condition in which distant objects are clearer than near objects. With Hyperopia, your eye is too short in relation to the curvature of your cornea. Light rays entering the eye come to a focus behind the retina, producing a blurred image.

Astigmatism occurs when your cornea is too oval. Usually, the cornea is shaped more like a baseball, but when there is astigmatism, the cornea is shaped more like a football. The result is unequal bending of the light rays entering the eye. This produces different focal points and results in distortion.

Procedures Available

What is PRK? (AKA: EPI-LASIK)
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) is used to correct myopia, astigmatism, and hyperopia. With PRK no scalpels are used and no incisions are made. The eye doctor prepares the eye by gently removing the surface of the cornea, called he epithelium. This layer naturally regenerates itself every few days. Computer-controlled pulses of cool laser light are then applied to the surface of the cornea to delicately reshape the curvature of the eye. Deeper cell layers remain virtually untouched. The whole PRK procedure is usually completed in less than 5 minutes, and is painless.

What is LASIK?
LASIK is based on procedures, which have been used for over 30 years with highly effective results. LASIK is an excellent example of the combination of a proven manual technique with state-of-of-the-art technology. It is considered by many leading eye care professionals throughout the world to be the best procedure available for correcting moderate and severe prescriptions. The doctor uses a microkeratome to create a corneal flap, the cool laser beam then reshapes the cornea, and the flap is closed. LASIK is an extremely effective outpatient procedure that is suitable for higher prescriptions.

IntraLase — Also called "bladeless LASIK", uses a laser to make the flap. Up to now, a microheratome was used. IntraLase is chosen when we need to retain corneal thickness to assure future stability. A separate laser is used.

CustomLASIK — This is an enhanced vision correction program. Digital technology makes imperfections in the visual system to be neutralized when the sight is corrected. This is not always needed, but it's recommended. We hope to deminish chances of glare and obtain a higher level of accuracy.

Excimer laser technology allows for an unparalleled degree of precision and predictability. Each pulse of the laser can remove 39-millionths of an inch of tissue in 12-billionth of a second. This enables doctors to achieve remarkable accuracy while maintaining excellent control throughout the procedure.