Dr Boothe the eye surgeon
05.10.08 (3:41 am) [edit]Since 1987, noted cornea specialist William A. Boothe, M.D., has brought the world into focus with more than 82,000 LASIK laser vision correction procedures. Dr. William Boothe has personally performed more VISX Custom 3-Dimensional Wavefront Customized laser vision correction procedures than any other surgeon in the world and w A native Texan, Dr. Boothe received his undergraduate degree from Rice University with honors and completed his residency at Texas Tech University School of Ophthalmology. He attended the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, before serving an internship at Presbyterian Hospital in Internal Medicine. Dr. Boothe completed a cornea fellowship at Jules Stein Eye Institute (University of California Los Angeles Medical School) where he specialized in refractive surgery.
LASIK (Laser in-situ Keratomileusis) is used to correct or reduce moderate to high levels of nearsightedness (myopia), astigmatism and farsightedness (hyperopia). The traditional LASIK procedure is relatively simple: a keratome is used to gently create a flap in the cornea. In IntraLASIK, the flap is created by a computer-controlled, precision laser. The flap is lifted and an excimer laser is then used to shape the remaining tissue. The flap is then carefully set back into place, forming an occlusive seal by osmopic pressure. Osmopic pressure holds the flap in place and allows it to heal very quickly, without stitches!
You may be a good candidate for laser vision correction if you:
- Are at least 18 years of age with - 1 to - 12 diopters of nearsightedness.
- Have healthy eyes that are free from severe retinal disorders, corneal disorders, or any eye disease that would make the surgery contraindicated.
- Have had stable vision for the past year.
- Have no abnormalities that could affect healing (such as severe diabetic eye disease).
- Are fully informed about the risks and benefits of laser surgery compared with LASIK is right for you, Boothe Eye Care & Laser Center offers a FREE initial screening. To set up an appointment, please contact us directly at 214-328-0444.
“The interesting thing about Dr. William Boothe is the fact that he spends so much time with you as a patient. He really seems to care about you; he talks to you and walks you through the procedure. He wants you to feel comfortable and afterwards, he wants you to know that he cares about you as a patient and as a person.”
Why should I consider IntraLASIK?
Traditional LASIK is an excellent procedure. In fact, Dr. Boothe has performed more than 80,000 LASIK procedures with the traditional approach and technology. While the risks of complications are very minimal, all surgery carries some degree of risk. Now, an advanced laser technology is available that significantly reduces the risk of complications. It is known as IntraLASIK. This is the first all-laser, blade-free LASIK procedure. It further reduces the risk of complication and gives patients a new level of confidence in vision correction surgery.
How is IntraLASIK different from traditional LASIK?
LASIK surgery is actually a two-step process. First, a flap of corneal tissue must be created and then folded back. The cornea is the transparent, dome-like structure that covers the iris and pupil of the eye. By creating a flap in the cornea, Dr. Boothe is able to perform the laser vision correction treatment on the inner layer of the cornea, which practically eliminates any patient discomfort and allows for rapid visual recovery.
Traditionally, Dr. Boothe created the corneal flap with a handheld mechanical device that has a metal blade called a microkeratome. Although this method worked well, the performance of these devices could be unpredictable. Although LASIK complications are extremely rare, this mechanical device is frequently the source for many of the reported complications.
With IntraLASIK, Dr. Boothe uses the precision laser to create the corneal flap. The accuracy of the laser (+/- 10 microns) is unparalleled by any other technology in vision correction surgery. This advanced technology gives Dr. Boothe unprecedented control, and even allows him to customize the corneal flap for each individual patient. Because of its consistent accuracy, IntraLASIK now makes it possible to treat many patients who were once dismissed as candidates for laser vision correction due to thin corneas.
Is IntraLASIK safer?
IntraLASIK is considered by many to provide a safer approach to laser vision correction surgery. This is a result of the superior precision of a computer-controlled laser as compared to that of a handheld mechanical device. The mechanical device houses a metal blade, which cuts across the cornea to create the flap. IntraLASIK accomplishes the flap procedure with a laser instead of a blade. Plus, it does not travel across the cornea. These features reduce the possible risk of complications.
IntraLASIK’s precision was documented in studies conducted for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of the laser, where the accuracy of flap thickness was demonstrated at plus or minus 10 microns. Precise flap thickness is essential to a successful LASIK outcome, and flaps created by IntraLASIK feature a consistent thickness from edge to edge. Again, this degree of accuracy is unprecedented in flap creation technology to date. Finally, greater flap stability was also demonstrated with IntraLASIK flaps in studies for the laser’s FDA submission. Although the incidence of flap slippage is rare in LASIK, the consequences can be problematic. The assurance that the IntraLASIK created flap will be securely repositioned without incident provides added peace of mind for many patients.
Is traditional LASIK unsafe?
No, but IntraLASIK seems to reduce the risk of complications reported with traditional LASIK.
Is IntraLASIK new? How is Dr. Boothe able to offer IntraLASIK when other doctors in the area do not?
The IntraLase FS Laser has been cleared by the FDA and became commercially available on a limited basis in 2001. The IntraLase FS Laser is the only laser that provides IntraLASIK. Dr. Boothe is among an elite group of key opinion-leaders in ophthalmology who continually evaluate advanced technologies and adopt them into practice as soon as they become available.
How would you compare the visual outcomes using IntraLASIK with those of traditional LASIK?
Today, it is known that visual outcomes with IntraLASIK are comparable with those of traditional LASIK. Studies are now underway to evaluate whether results with IntraLASIK might be even better, as has been reported anecdotally.
There are several advertisements for all-laser LASIK. Is this the same as IntraLASIK?
Be sure to ask for IntraLASIK by name. Only IntraLASIK offers the safety of micron-level precision of a truly all-laser surgical approach. Other providers may advertise all-laser, but patients should ensure that IntraLASIK is indeed being used to create the corneal flap.
Is IntraLASIK more expensive?
Advanced technologies are usually more expensive for the surgeon to employ in his practice. Most patients agree that the added level of safety and assurance offered by IntraLASIK is well worth the additional cost that may be incurred when considering vision correction surgery.
What is it? The AcrySof ReSTOR Apodized Diffractive Optic Posterior IOL (ReSTOR) is a permanent artificial lens. The ReSTOR IOL is implanted in the eye to restore vision after the natural lens is removed during cataract surgery . It is FDA-approved for cataract patients with or without presbyopia (over 40 vision).
The ReSTOR lens is convex on both sides and made of a soft plastic. It is folded and inserted into the eye through a tiny incision smaller than the optic diameter of the lens. After insertion, the lens gently unfolds to restore vision. The supporting arms (haptics) of the lens maintain proper positioning within the eye.
How does it work? The AcrySof ReSTOR IOL replaces the natural lens. It has a patented optic design using apodization, diffraction and refraction technologies. The apodized diffractive optic design gives it the ability to focus light correctly on the retina for images at various distances without mechanical movement of the lens.
- Apodization is a gradual reduction or blending of the diffractive step heights.
- This unique technology optimally manages light energy delivered to the retina because it distributes the appropriate amount of light to near and distant focal points, regardless of the lighting situation.
- Apodized diffractive optics are designed to improve image quality while minimizing visual disturbances. The result is an increased range of quality vision that delivers a high level of spectacle freedom.
When is it used? The AcrySof ReSTOR IOL is used in adult patients with and without presbyopia, who desire near, intermediate and distance vision with increased independence from glasses following cataract surgery.
What will it accomplish? The AcrySof ReSTOR IOL has been shown in a clinical study to provide good near, intermediate and distance vision with increased independence from glasses in patients who have undergone cataract surgery.
Dr Boothe the best surgeon in the world