LASIK EYE SURGERY RESOURCES & INFORMATION

LASER AND OTHER REFRACTIVE SURGERY MANUFACTURERS

NON-LASER

CENTIFICATION AGENCIES

ORGANIZATIONS

FEDERAL & STATE HEALTH AGENCIES

EYE-RELATED PUBLICATIONS

FDA

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a Federal government agency that is a
useful resource for LASIK. Here’s the link to the FDA website on LASIK:

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/lasik/

For lasers approved by the FDA for LASIK and other laser surgery procedures, please click here:

www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/devicesatfda/index.cfm?
search_term=LZS%20or%20LASIK

LASER AND OTHER REFRACTIVE SURGERY MANUFACTURERS

In general, you can generally verify whether your eye surgeon is certified to use the equipment at their practice by checking on the website of the manufacturer of
that medical device or procedure and performing a search for a surgeon and/or in your local area. Below are the companies that have laser vision and other refractive surgery devices and procedures that have been certified by the FDA.

LASERS

Alcon

Custom Cornea® LASIK Procedure Using the LADARVision® System. Alcon,
Inc. has developed the Custom Cornea® LASIK procedure using the
LADARVision® System, which is a laser vision correction system that provides
treatment specific to your eye’s individual optical characteristics. The system
creates a wavefront map of each eye that is computer-matched with the eye's
exact position, creating more precise treatments and also reduces the risk of
higher order aberrations.

For more information on the CustomCornea® LASIK & the LADARVision®
System, please click on the below links:

http://www.alcon.com/alcon-products/surgical.asp#prodCustomCornea

http://www.ladarvision.com/

Visx

CustomVue. Visx developed the CustomVue procedure, which uses WaveScan
technology to provide your eye doctor with a map of your eye. Information on
CustomVue can be found at:

http://www.visx.com/candidates/customvue_advantage/

http://www.visx.com/candidates/customvue_technology/

There is also a CustomVue Patient Information Booklet available on the Visx
website at:

http://www.visx.com/candidates/customvue_advantage/patient_information.php

IntraLase

Bladeless LASIK. IntraLase developed the IntraLase Method which is a 100%
bladeless LASIK technique. This method when performed during LASIK is
commonly referred to as “All Laser LASIK.” Information on the IntraLase
Method can be found at:

http://www.IntraLasefacts.com

http://www.IntraLasefacts.com/FAQ

Bausch & Lomb

Bausch & Lomb manufacturers contact lenses, as well as lens implants to
replace cataracts. In addition, they manufacture lasers for LASIK and other
laser vision procedures. To find consumer-based information on their site,
please go to http://www.bausch.com/en_US/consumer/consumer_home.aspx

Wavelight (recently acquired by Alcon)

Wavelight manufactures the Allegretto Wave laser. Wavelight has an
information center that appears mostly geared toward eye surgeons but they
do have some webinars and specific case studies that can be accessed
from this link:

http://www.wavelight.com/InfoCenter

Nidek

Nidek manufacturers several lasers approved for refractive systems and for
other ophthalmic uses. You may find their website at:

http://www.usa.nidek.com

NON-LASER

Eyeonics

Eyeonics manufactures, the Crystalens, intra-ocular lens (IOL) implants for cataract and RLE procedures, which are designed to reduce the need for reading glasses. For more information, please visit http://www.crystalens.com/default.htm

Refractec

Refractec developed and manufacturers the devices for the NearVision CK
(Conductive Keratoplasty ) procedure. This is a non-laser procedure developed
specifically for individuals who need reading glasses due to presbyopia and who are generally over the age of 40. NearVision CK is a safe, minimally invasive procedure that involves no cutting of your cornea. For more consumer information about NearVision CK (Conductive Keratoplasty), please visit
http://www.myclearvision.com/

STAAR

STAAR manufactures the Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens), which is a
phakic intraocular lens (IOL) designed for the treatment of high nearsightedness (myopia) beyond the range of LASIK and other laser vision procedures. For consumer resources on their website, please visit
http://www.staar.com/html/consumer.html.

Advanced Medical Optics Verisyse (only nearsightedness in U.S.)

Advanced Medical Optics manufactures the Verisyse™ Phakic intraocular lens (IOL), which provides high-quality, high-contrast vision for high nearsightedness (myopia) beyond the range of LASIK and other laser vision procedures. For more
information, please visit http://www.amo-inc.com/products.

Certification Agencies

There are many organizations that offer certifications of eye surgeons; however,
the qualifications for certifications are often subjective to the organization. Some agencies that issue certifications rely solely on consumer feedback, which means that the patient may give a negative review of a surgeon because of complications from risks the doctor may have very clearly made the patient aware of before operation. As with any surgery, there are risks and there are no guarantees. Here at the Trusted LASIK Surgeons website, our surgeons are among the most trusted because of our unique screening process. For more information, please see our discussions on Why Choose a Doctor listed atTLS? and How Are Doctors
Qualified at TLS?

The most generally recognized certification comes from the American
Board of Ophthalmology (ABO), is the oldest certifying board in the United
States, which is listed below.

The second best resource for certifications is to check with the manufacturer
of the medical devices that will be used in your operation. For example, if you
were having LASIK performed, you should check with the manufacturer of the
laser(s) to ensure that the laser the eye surgeon intends to use on your eye is approved by the FDA and that the surgeon is certified by the manufacturer of that laser. For links to those manufacturers who have FDA-approved laser and other refractive surgery devices, please see LASER AND OTHER REFRACTIVE SURGERY MANUFACTURERS.

American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO)

Founded in 1916, the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) is an
independent, non-profit organization responsible for certifying ophthalmologists
(eye physicians and surgeons) in the United States. The ABO was the first
American Board established to certify medical specialists and is one of 24
specialty Boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties and
the American Medical Association.

State Medical Licensing Agencies

In general, state medical licensing boards only certify that a doctor is licensed
to practice medicine in a particular state. These medical boards do not certify
medical doctors for the practice of Ophthalmology. For a directory of state
medical licensing boards for the U.S., including website links, phone numbers
and addresses of state medical licensing agencies, please visit Federation of State Medical Boards Directory.

ORGANIZATIONS

Ophthalmologist Organizations. The top organizations for Ophthalmology are
comprised of eye medical doctors throughout the United States and the world,
so the website content is focused to a more clinical audience. However, as
these organizations provide their members with the latest research and developments for LASIK and other refractive surgery procedures, it makes common sense that any eye doctors performing such laser vision procedures would be a members of at least two of these organizations and likely all three..

American Academy of Ophthalmology

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (the Academy)(AAO) is the largest national membership association of eye medical doctors, including ophthalmologists, medical and osteopathic doctors who provide comprehensive eye care. More than 90% of practicing U.S. eye medical doctors are Academy members, and the Academy has more than 7,000 international members.  

The International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS)

The International Society of Refractive Surgery of the American Academy of
Ophthalmology (ISRS/AAO) is the world’s largest and strongest eye care
organization solely dedicated to refractive surgery. It has a strong international
presence, with over 2,300 members from more than 80 different countries. The
ISRS/AAO keeps members informed on the latest clinical and research
developments in refractive surgery through its innovative educational programs,
clinical journal, monthly newsletter and meetings around the world. .

American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery

The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) distributes
information and encourages communication among ophthalmologists about general eye care, intra-ocular lens implantation and refractive surgery procedures.

FEDERAL & STATE HEALTH AGENCIES

National Institute of Health (NIH)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation's Medical Research Agency includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit National Institute of Health.

FDA (please see above)

EYE-RELATED PUBLICATIONS

The following websites offer searches of articles and studies published in various professional medical journals, which may be useful to see if your eye surgeon is active in research.

Ocular Surgery News

The Ocular Surgery News website provides the latest news and articles from
Ocular Surgery News, Ophthalmic Surgery, Lasers and Imaging, and the Journal of Refractive Surgery. The website may be accessed at Ocular Surgery News Supersite

The Archives of Ophthalmology

The Archives of Ophthalmology is an international peer-reviewed ophthalmology and visual science journal. The website may be accessed at
Archives of Ophthalmology .