The CustomVue™ procedure corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The first step in finding out if you are a candidate is to make an appointment for an evaluation at the Rancho Bernardo Laser and Vision Center. During your visit, you will have a complete eye examination and also have the opportunity to discuss with Dr. Pulaski all aspects of the CustomVue procedure and what you might expect in the way of permanent vision correction.

Prior to recommending CustomVue, Dr. Pulaski will examine the front and back part of your eyes to make sure they are medically healthy and that you are a suitable candidate. Should Dr. Pulaski determine that your refractive error is within the corrective range of LASIK, more comprehensive tests will be performed. Topography (color maps) and Pachymetry measurements (corneal thickness) will be taken during your pre-operative appointment.

In general, the ideal candidate is over 18 years of age and has healthy corneas. People with certain medical conditions or women who are pregnant or nursing may not be good candidates.

Call us to schedule your LASIK appointment: (858) 487-5090.

Both procedures correct the refractive error of the eye, which accounts for 95-100% of the blur in most cases. CutomVue has an additional feature which smoothes any micro-irregularities of the cornea. Certain patients will benefit from CutomView and others will do just as well with conventional LASIK. Dr. Pulaski will recommend one procedure or the other based on your pre-operative examination.

We find that more than 99% of patients achieve 20/25 or better vision after LASIK. Most patients will be 20/20 or better, depending upon the pre-operative amount of nearsightedness or astigmatism.

Fewer than 1% of patients require re-treatment. This is thanks to an accurate, personal nomogram Dr. Pulaski developed for patients of various ages and levels of myopia. In the rare event that a patient needs further treatment within a year after LASIK, there is no additional charge.

Any LASIK patient can achieve a correction equal to or even better than the best corrected vision with contact lenses or glasses.

We do operate on both eyes on the same day unless a patient requests otherwise. This allows an immediate, balanced recovery of vision, with vision improving dramatically in both eyes within 24 hours after surgery.

Fortunately, serious complications are rare with LASIK. With patients using common sense and careful follow-up at the Rancho Bernardo Laser and Vision Center, we are pleased to report that we have not seen any serious complications after LASIK.

A thin or irregular cap during the keratome part of the LASIK occurs in about 1 in 500 patients, in which case the cap is replaced and the LASIK is delayed for 1 month. Inflammation or infection after surgery are exceedingly rare but appropriate treatments would be instituted if they occurred. All post-operative LASIK patients take antibiotic/steroid eye drops for 1 week and should avoid swimming or Jacuzzis for 2 weeks to minimize this risk. Furthermore, patients are cautioned against rubbing their eyes after LASIK, which could create creases and astigmatism in the LASIK cap.

99% of the time, vision after LASIK is 95-100% of normal (20/20 or better). In the rare case where this level of vision is not achieved, there still should be a significant improvement compared to the pre-operative uncorrected vision. A permanent reduction in vision after LASIK is extremely rare.

The LASIK procedure, which is totally painless during and afterward, takes about 20 minutes for both eyes.

For most patients, vision will improve to 95 to 100% of normal within 24 hours, and normal activities (with some exceptions, such as swimming) can be resumed the next day. The maximum recovery of vision will occur between 1 and 3 months after LASIK.

Patients receive Valium tablets for relaxation 1 hour prior to LASIK. The procedure itself is done with topical anesthesia (numbing eye drops).

Most patients return to work within a day or two after LASIK.

If LASIK does not correct the vision completely, it may be possible to perform a minor re-treatment. If the vision is not fully corrected after LASIK, including a re-treatment, then glasses or contacts could be worn. The need for further distance correction after LASIK, however, is rare.

If a LASIK patient develops cataracts or glaucoma later in life, these conditions can be successfully treated without any interference from the prior LASIK procedure.

We have been performing LASIK in our practice since it was approved by the FDA a number of years ago. After performing many thousands of procedures, we have seen no long-term negative side effects. While a 20/20 or better result can never be guaranteed, our patients have been very pleased with the results of their LASIK, our attention to detail and the experience and technology we offer.

There have been a few reports in other centers of myopia returning after several years (known as ectasia), which would then require a return to CL or further surgery for clear vision - but compared to the millions of successful procedures performed worldwide, the chance of this side effect is rare. It can often be avoided by looking for any subtle corneal abnormalities at the pre-operative exam. Patients with such abnormalities may not be candidates for LASIK and may be better off staying with glasses or CL.

Dr. Pulaski uses the VISX S4 Excimer laser. It is among the most advanced models on the market and has an eye tracker to compensate for any small eye movements during the procedure. The eye tracker ensures that your treatment will be perfectly centered for the best results.

Dr. Pulaski spends quality time with every patient before, during and after surgery. We try to bring the best in technology, experience and attentiveness to each and every LASIK patient. We feel that this is responsible for the many happy LASIK patients it has been our privilege to serve.