New Lasik Presbyopia Treatment Eliminates Bifocal and Reading Glass Need.  

“Until now, people could expect to need reading glasses or bifocals during or after middle age due to an aging process called presbyopia. LASIK, a proven technique for freedom from glasses for distance, was not effective for presbyopia. 

[According] to results from a Midwest eye surgical team led by Robert L. Epstein, M.D., and published in the Journal of Refractive Surgery, a process called presbyLASIK completely eliminated the need for all glasses for 92% of middle-aged patients, and the effect was proven to last beyond two years.

Patients treated by the McHenry, Illinois group averaged 53 years old, and all were initially in bifocals and reading glasses. The eye surgical group now has six years of follow up on the presbyLASIK technique.

Dr. Epstein reports that 99% of their previously bifocal-bound patients become completely or nearly fully out of all glasses.” (Mercy Center for Corrective Eye Surgery and The Journal of Refractive Surgery press release, “New Treatment Eliminates Bifocal and Reading Glass Need,” PR Newswire, McHenry, Illinois, March 9, 2009)

Ziemer FEMTO LDV Femtosecond Laser.

“Carolina Eye Associates surgeons Drs. Neil Griffin and Colleen Grace will be the first in the United States to receive new technology from Europe that may lead to advances in corneal transplant technique and improved outcomes. 

Carolina Eye Associates has acquired the Ziemer FEMTO LDV Femtosecond Laser, a state-of-the-art laser that aids in LASIK surgery and may also be useful in corneal transplant procedures. The laser may lead to improved quality of vision while reducing recovery time with the use of a certain therapeutic head that attaches to the laser. 

Griffin and Grace will be the first surgeons in the country to acquire this therapeutic head for the Ziemer FEMTO LDV and investigate its potential with respect to corneal transplant surgery.” Laser eye surgery new.  (No author credited, “Cutting Edge: Surgeons First to Receive New Technology,” The Pilot, Southern Pines, North Carolina, March 20, 2009)