Allegretto Wavelight Custom LASIK in New York City & Manhattan
Dr. Pamel was one of the first New York LASIK surgeon to adopt the newest technology in Custom LASIK Surgery, the Allegretto Wavelight laser. He proudly performs his refractive surgery procedures at his offices using this laser, a revolutionary tool in laser eye surgery. Currently providing the fastest correction in the United States, Allegretto Wavelight is safe, accurate, and has given a majority of its patients better than 20/20 vision.
The extremely controlled and precise Allegretto Wavelight is ideal for custom operations. The Allegretto Wavelight is calibrated specifically to your needs, ensuring the proper energy level is used to achieve better vision.
The Allegretto Wavelight also constantly monitors the position of the eyeball. It measures the location every four to six milliseconds, automatically adjusting its internal mirrors. A second check on the position is performed just to make sure it has not changed position. If it moves out of position or moves too quickly to be tracked, the Allegretto Wavelight will stop. It will not release a pulse until it has returned to its original position.
What Is LASIK and How Does It Work?
LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a type of laser vision correction designed to reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses. During the procedure, the surgeon creates a thin flap in the cornea and uses a precise laser to reshape the underlying corneal tissue.
Changing the cornea’s shape allows light entering the eye to focus more accurately on the retina. The corneal flap is then repositioned, and it begins healing naturally without stitches.
What Vision Problems Can LASIK Correct?
LASIK can correct several common refractive errors that affect how clearly you see. These include:
- Nearsightedness (myopia): Distant objects appear blurry because light focuses in front of the retina.
- Farsightedness (hyperopia): Nearby objects may appear blurry because light focuses behind the retina.
- Astigmatism: An irregularly shaped cornea causes light to focus unevenly, resulting in blurry or distorted vision.
Your prescription, corneal health, and other eye measurements help determine whether LASIK is appropriate for you.
What Happens During LASIK Surgery?
LASIK is typically a quick outpatient procedure. Before treatment begins, you apply numbing eye drops to keep your eyes comfortable. A thin flap is then created in the cornea and gently lifted to access the underlying tissue.
The laser precisely reshapes the cornea based on your vision correction needs. Once the reshaping is complete, the corneal flap is carefully repositioned and begins healing naturally without stitches. The laser treatment itself usually takes only a short time, although you should plan to spend additional time at the office for preparation and post-procedure evaluation.
What Should You Expect During a LASIK Consultation?
Your LASIK consultation includes a detailed eye evaluation to determine whether the procedure is suitable for you.
Your evaluation may include:
- Prescription testing to measure your refractive error and vision correction needs.
- Corneal mapping or topography to evaluate your cornea’s shape and curvature.
- Corneal thickness measurement to determine whether there is enough tissue for safe laser reshaping.
- Pupil evaluation to measure pupil size and assess factors that may affect your vision.
- Tear-film and dry-eye assessment to identify ocular surface concerns before surgery.
- Overall eye-health examination to check for conditions that could affect LASIK candidacy or results.
These measurements help Dr. Pamel determine whether LASIK is appropriate for your eyes and develop a treatment plan based on your vision.
benefits of Allegretto Wavelight Custom LASIK?
Laser eye surgery using the Allegretto Wavelight received the widest approval rating given to a new refractive procedure for vision correction. The results of using Allegretto Wavelight have been overwhelmingly positive with exceptional clinical results, as shown by the findings below:
- One year following laser surgery with the Allegretto Wavelight, more than 93 percent of patients reported that they saw as well or better than they had before treatment, even with glasses or contacts
- One year following laser surgery with the Allegretto Wavelight, more than 98 percent of patients achieved 20/40 vision, the visual acuity required to pass most driving tests
- Almost 60 percent of nearsighted patients achieved 20/16 vision one year after laser surgery with the Allegretto Wavelight
- Both nearsighted and farsighted patients treated with the Allegretto Wavelight report an improvement in their reaction to night driving glare and bright lights. Additionally, nearsighted patients report improved light sensitivity
- A vast majority of patients, more than 90 percent, achieve refractive correction within 1 diopter of their desired correction
Gregory J. Pamel, M.D.
Dr. Pamel was recently honored as a board-certified fellow in the inaugural class of the World College of Refractive Surgery and Visual Sciences. Dr. Pamel was among 1000 surgeons worldwide out of 280,000 ophthalmologists to be unanimously selected for this achievement. He was recognized for his surgical expertise and contribution to the education and advancement of Refractive surgery over the last twenty years. This honor is a testament to Dr. Pamel's commitment to provide the highest quality vision correction surgery. Read more.
Am I a candidate?
Though the Allegretto Wavelight allows more people to receive custom procedures than before, there are certain individuals who are not good candidates for this procedure. You are probably NOT a good candidate for this treatment if you:
- Are under 21 years old. At this age, you are still growing and are susceptible to change
- Are pregnant or nursing. While pregnant, hormonal changes occur that can alter your vision. It’s better to postpone the operation until after your child is born and after you are finished nursing
- Are taking certain medications
- Have high blood pressure
- Thin corneas
- Dry eyes
- Glaucoma
- Keratoconus (a corneal irregularity)
- Eye inflammation
- Herpes simplex
- Suffered severe eye injuries in the past
- Corneal infections or scars
- Unstable refraction or refractive errors
- Other diseases of the eyes such as AMD, cataracts or others
Our physician encourages you to speak with him to determine if you are eligible for laser surgery with the Allegretto Wavelight, a sophisticated procedure for our NYC and Astoria LASIK patients.
Learn more about Wavelight
Allegretto Wavelight Custom LASIK FAQs
Is LASIK safe?
When performed by an expert ophthalmologist like Dr. Pamel, LASIK is a very safe procedure with minimal complication rates. The Allegretto Wavelight technology is so precise that it further enhances the safety of the surgery.
Will I have 20/20 vision after having LASIK?
Most patients have 20/20 vision (or better) following Allegretto Wavelight Custom LASIK, but Dr. Pamel cannot guarantee that the procedure will achieve a certain level of vision because some patients’ eyes respond differently to the surgery. What he can say is that nearly every LASIK patient he treats is able to read and drive without needing to wear glasses or contact lenses following surgery.
Are there other advantages to seeking LASIK with this advanced technology?
Because everyone’s eyes are different, it does not make sense for a surgeon to approach LASIK the same way for each patient. The highly customizable nature of Allegretto Wavelight LASIK allows Dr. Pamel to adjust the surgery to improve the results. Additionally, patients who choose Allegretto Wavelight LASIK are less likely to experience light sensitivity or see halos at night after surgery.
Schedule a free consultation by contacting our office at (212) 355-2215.
Schedule a LASIK Consultation in New York City
LASIK can reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses, but the right treatment depends on your prescription, corneal health, and vision goals. At Pamel Vision & Laser Group in New York City, Dr. Gregory Pamel can evaluate your eyes and determine whether LASIK is appropriate for you.
Schedule a consultation at our Manhattan office by calling 212-355-2215.
