Thin Flap LASIK

Turner Eye Institute is happy to announce the development of an advanced laser vision correction procedure in the San Francisco Bay Area, known as TF-LASIK. With over 5000 procedures this new LASIK technique has demonstrated itself as a safer form of the laser vision correction procedure. Although standard LASIK has offered a safe and effective means of treating near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism in millions of patients worldwide, Dr. Stephen Turner observed that patients who received thinner flaps during the surgery showed faster recovery times, less postoperative dryness, and in the end proved to have clearer and more comfortable vision.

What is standard LASIK?

Laser Assisted in-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), combines the precision of the excimer laser delivery system with the benefits of a sophisticated surgical instrument known as a microkeratome. The microkeratome glides across the cornea, producing a hinged circular flap that provides access to the middle layers of the cornea. The flap is opened to allow treatment of the corneal bed. The excimer laser, equipped with eye tracking technology, follows minute movements of the eye while reshaping the exposed cornea with computer controlled precision. Afterwards, the flap is returned to its normal position. The entire procedure takes less than 20 minutes. Healing is rapid and does not require sutures. Thousands of patients in the San Francisco Bay Area are enjoying clear, unrestricted laser vision correction thanks to LASIK.

What is TF-LASIKsm?

In an effort to provide the best possible benefits to all his patients, Dr. Stephen Turner developed a unique LASIK surgery method that is capable of providing the thinnest possible flap with the highest level of safety. He has shown through years of consistently accurate and safe LASIK results that TF LASIK not only increases safety, but it also improves visual performance following laser vision correction.

TF LASIK differs from standard LASIK in two respects:

1st : The microkeratome has been uniquely redesigned to meet exact specifications that have been provided by Dr. Stephen Turner to the microkeratome manufacturer.

2nd : Dr. Turner utilizes an improved technique in the use of this surgical instrument to provide consistently safe and effective results.

Advantages of TF-LASIK?

• Faster recovery time
• Less risk of ectasia
• Decreased risk of dryness
• Improved Visual Results

LASIK surgery makes use of a flap in order to allow a more rapid recovery than that seen in PRK/LASEK. Unfortunately, this flap requires the use of more corneal tissue. Many LASIK surgeons find that the flap they create can be as thick as 180 or greater microns of corneal tissue. This much tissue can decrease the stability of the cornea and increase the likelihood of the need to either retreat the cornea or in some cases can even lead to corneal ectasia.

In TF-LASIK more of the patient's cornea is left untouched by the laser vision correction procedure. This reduces the risk of corneal ectasia, a type of distortion of the cornea. In addition, this new laser vision correction technique has demonstrated a faster visual recovery, and less postoperative dryness. Dr. Stephen Turner has been able to consistently demonstrate a flap thickness of between 60-80 microns during his TF LASIK procedures. The additional 100 microns of untouched cornea can provide greater stability and increased levels of safety.

TF-LASIK is only available in the San Francisco Bay Area (including San Jose, Concord, and the East Bay) and only at Turner Eye Institute.

Custom LASIK and Custom TF-LASIK

VISX - CustomVue
Autonomous - LADARVISION
Custom Cornea

With the addition of Customized wavefront treatments, we have entered a new era in laser vision correction. Setting a new standard for laser vision correction in San Francisco and the Bay Area, Custom LASIK acknowledges that your vision is unique - as personal as your fingerprint or your DNA.

Custom LASIK is a form of laser vision correction that utilizes either the VISX S4, WaveFront Platform or the LADARVISION Custom Cornea Platform. This new digital laser vision correction technology identifies and measures unique imperfections in your eye 25 times more precisely than is possible with conventional methods. Many of these imperfections could never be measured before by standard methods used for glasses and contact lenses.

For maximum benefits and safety, at Turner Eye Institute, laser vision correction is performed in the usual manner of TF-LASIK; however, during Custom TF-LASIK, the laser is programmed with the patient's digital information, giving a laser vision correction treatment that is precise, accurate, and tailored to their individual visual needs. Custom TF-LASIK can help individuals achieve their best possible vision, typically 20/20 or better.*

The benefits of TF LASIK are further added to those provided by the advanced Custom LASIK. The thinner flap achieved through TF LASIK allows for an increased potential in benefits provided by the new Wavefront Technology. The thick flap that is often created in conventional LASIK could hide or diminish the exact and detailed changes that are needed in wavefront guided treatments. Custom TF LASIK can insure that the space-age wavefront technology is used to maximum effect and provides the best possible results.

Custom TF-LASIK is only available in the San Francisco Bay Area (including San Jose, Concord, and the East Bay) and only at Turner Eye Institute.

"Thanks to Dr. Turner, I haven't been able to see this well since third grade!"

Art Howe
Past General Manager
Professional Baseball Teams, Including New York Mets