myopia treatment

Cure Myopia With Allegretto Wave®

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is one of the most common eye conditions in the world. It can affect people at any age, but it’s becoming increasingly common among children, teens, and young adults due to excess screen exposure from an early age. Although it can be easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses, myopia has another treatment option: Allegretto Wave®, an advanced LASIK eye surgery laser.

What Is Allegretto Wave?

Allegretto Wave, also known as Wavefront LASIK, is an advanced excisor laser system used to treat a variety of eye problems, such as myopia and astigmatism. Excisor lasers use ultraviolet light to remove tissue from the cornea using a process called photoablative decomposition. In simple terms, this means that the laser reshapes the anterior cornea to improve vision without causing any damage to the eye itself.

How Is It Different From LASIK?

Allegretto Wave is a type of LASIK procedure; its greatest difference from the traditional method is its accuracy and speed. Because of its precision, we love to use it in our practice as a way to minimize side effects for our patients.

The FDA approved Allegretto Wave in 2003 for LASIK surgery, and it has been used around the world ever since. The wavefront technology helps Dr. Maehara shape your cornea with unmatched precision, reducing side effects like halo, poor night vision, and glare.

Benefits of Correcting Myopia With Eye Surgery

Undergoing eye surgery to correct myopia can help you in many ways, such as:

  • Enhanced vision
  • No need for glasses or contact lenses
  • Long-lasting results
  • Save money on glasses prescriptions and eye care

If you are interested in Allegretto Wave, schedule an appointment with us! We would love to help you find the perfect solution to treat your myopia in our office.

Explore LASIK in Honolulu, HI

Dr. Maehara is a board-certified ophthalmologist who runs our practice with his son, Dr. Dennis Maehara. Together, they offer patients the most specialized care to support their vision at every stage of life.

If you would like to discuss LASIK with Allegretto Wave for your nearsightedness, please visit our contact page or call 808-955-3937.

portrait of beautiful joyful blonde female smiling with fingers in okay gesture.

Correct Your Vision With Lasik

Light and lenses in your eyes must work perfectly together for you to see properly. The cornea and lens allow light to travel through and land on the retina. This refraction of light is what ideally formulates good eyesight.

However, refractive errors might limit or prevent light from bending properly. This might lead to blurry visions, which might affect your overall eyesight. In this case, you can use LASIK surgery to correct these errors and reduce your dependence on eyeglasses or contact lenses.

The Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, simply known as LASIK, is a common surgery that’s designed to improve your vision by ‘tweaking’ the cornea to correct conditions, including farsightedness (hyperopia), near-sightedness (myopia), and astigmatism. Patients of different ages and backgrounds experience vision issues as a result of abnormalities in the cornea.

The main aim of this surgery is to correct the shape of your cornea to allow the retina to focus on images better. This is achieved through special lasers. After testing your eyes, a doctor performing this procedure will apply numbing eye drops in both your eyes. The surgeon will also use eye holders to keep your eyes from blinking.

A suction ring will also be used to keep your eye from moving. The doctor will then use a special laser (microkeratome) to flap the cornea tissue. You’ll then be asked to stare at a target light to prevent eye movement. The doctor will then reshape your cornea using a laser programmed with your eye measurements.

There are a couple of risks associated with LASIK. There is a risk of other complications such as halos and night glare, infection risk, and worsening vision. For such reasons, it would be in your best interest to talk to professionals with experience handling such procedures.

At Maehara Eye Surgery and Laser, we are happy to go over all the risks during your LASIK consultation at our offices in Honolulu. Dr. Jeffrey Maehara, an experienced ophthalmologist with practices in preventive and integrative medicine, will go over what you need to know for this procedure. Give us a call at 808-955-3937 or click www.maeharaeyes.com for more information about correcting your vision with LASIK.

Female eye in digital biometric scanning

How Laser Eye Surgery Works: Who Is A Suitable Candidate?

Laser eye surgery is a surgical procedure that uses a laser to change the shape of the cornea. It is used to improve myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. First performed in 1987, the surgery has become increasingly popular. Today, it is the most widely performed refractive surgery in the world. As laser eye surgery becomes more popular, many people are interested in learning about it. Here are the basics of laser eye surgery.

Laser eye surgery overview 

Laser eye surgery is a type of refractive surgery used to change the shape of the cornea. It is carried out to change the shape of the cornea. It helps to focus light on the retina, which is located at the back of the eye.

A laser is used to remove a small amount of corneal tissue. This changes the shape of the cornea and allows light to be focused more accurately on the retina. There are several types of laser eye surgery, but they all work in basically the same way.

Who is a good candidate for laser eye surgery?

Lasik surgery is a corrective eye surgery procedure used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It is one of the most common surgeries in the United States with over 1 million procedures done each year.

There is no doubt that laser surgery is a safe and effective choice for most people. However, some factors can make someone a less suitable candidate for Lasik surgery. These include: having a very thin cornea, being pregnant or breastfeeding, having diabetes or other autoimmune diseases, and being under 18 years old.

What are the benefits of laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery has become a popular option for people who want to improve their vision. Among the benefits of laser eye surgery are:

• improved vision

• less need for glasses or contact lenses

• no more worries about losing or breaking glasses or contact lenses

• improved self-confidence

• improved appearance

Laser eye surgery is a procedure that is crucial to understand who is a suitable candidate. This article provided an overview of the laser eye surgery procedure and who is eligible to undergo it. You can also contact our eye doctor and ophthalmologist clinic in Honolulu, Hawaii, at 808-955-3937 for more information.

Beautiful female eye in scanning circle closeup and eyechart.

What you should know about LASIK

If you have been considering LASIK surgery to help reduce or remove the need for wearing glasses or contacts, there are several things you should know. Read on for eight things you should know about LASIK.

  1. Your eyes must be healthy to undergo LASIK surgery. If you have severe dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis or pink eye, or any type of eye injury where you are still recovering, you will need to wait until those conditions are resolved before you can undergo LASIK.
  2. If you have cataracts or uncontrolled glaucoma, you may not be a candidate for LASIK.
  3. You must be in good health to be considered for LASIK. Uncontrolled degenerative conditions or autoimmune diseases may prevent you from having LASIK done. Certain medications may also interfere with post-operative healing and contribute to dry eye syndrome. You will want to share your complete list of medications and vitamins and supplements with your doctor during your consultation.
  4. Your corneas cannot be too thin. LASIK works by reshaping the front surface of the eye known as the cornea. The cornea must have enough tissue thickness in order for you to have surgery. Other surgical options may be better suited for you.
  5. You must be at least 18 or older to have LASIK. When you are a teenager, and even a young adult, your eyes continue to change.
  6. If you have a prescription, it’s important that your prescription is stable for at least a year before you are able to proceed with LASIK.
  7. Women who are pregnant or nursing are not good candidates for LASIK as hormonal changes can alter the shape of the cornea. You will want to wait until a few months after you have finished nursing before getting LASIK done.
  8. It’s important to have a positive frame of mind and realistic expectations for the outcome of surgery. Be sure to discuss all potential risks and possible side effects before you decide to undergo LASIK surgery.

To learn whether you are a candidate for LASIK, call 808.955.3937 for a consultation.

Smiling blond woman wearing a striped shirt

Questions you should ask when considering LASIK

If you’ve been thinking about laser vision correction, you may have a lot of questions about this state-of-the-art technology that is constantly evolving. Here are seven of the most common FAQs about LASIK that you may not know to ask. 

  1. Am I at the optimal age and stage in my life to have LASIK? You will want to wait until you are an adult, usually in your mid-20s, before considering LASIK surgery. You’ll also want to wait to have surgery if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or going through menopause as your eyes and visual acuity fluctuate. 
  2. Are my eyes stable for the last 1-2 years? Your doctor can confirm whether you are a good candidate by looking at your contact lens or glasses prescription and results from recent exams. 
  3. Can my refractive error be too much? LASIK is FDA-approved to treat certain degrees of farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism. If your refractive error is too severe, laser vision correction may not be for you. 
  4. What results can I expect? It’s important to have a healthy outlook and realistic expectations for the outcomes of your laser vision correction. Your doctor can walk through any concerns you may have. It’s important to ask about what the best and worst case scenarios may be for your outcomes.
  5. Do I have any eye conditions or health conditions that may postpone having LASIK done at this time or rule it out completely? Your doctor will go through all of your health history and current conditions and concerns, so it’s important that you share all the details to make sure you are a good candidate for laser vision correction.
  6. What does recovery look like and what adjustments will I need to make for a successful recovery? Your doctor should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for recovery at home and when you can return to work and other activities. 
  7. What does LASIK cost? Your doctor should share with you all of the costs involved in laser vision correction, potential retreatment and any other appointments that may be necessary. 

To schedule your consultation for LASIK, call 808.955.3937 today.

What’s the criteria to be considered a candidate for LASIK?

Laser vision correction, or LASIK, is a type of refractive surgery that can help patients get rid of eyeglasses and contact lenses, but the surgery may not be right for everybody. If you’ve been considering LASIK, read on to learn whether you would be a candidate and what you need to consider as you weight your decision to undergo surgery.

  • You are 18 years old or older. Your vision can change throughout your youth and doesn’t stabilize until you reach adult age. LASIK is FDA-approved for people age 18 and older who have achieved ocular maturity.
  • You have a stable prescription, which means your prescription hasn’t changed for at least two consecutive years.
  • You should be generally healthy, free of diseases, injuries and infections.
  • You do not have pink eye, dry eye or another eye condition. These will need to be resolved prior to LASIK surgery.
  • You are not pregnant or nursing. Hormonal fluctuations can affect vision stability, so it’s important to wait at least three months after you’ve stopped nursing before considering surgery.
  • If you have a condition such as cataracts, diabetes, autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, LASIK may not be a good choice for you.
  • Certain medications such as corticosteroids and acne medications can affect the healing process, so you will need to share what medications you’re taking when you consult with your doctor.
  • If your cornea is too thin or misshapen, or if you have glaucoma or corneal scarring, you may not be a candidate for surgery.
  • If you have a positive outlook and realistic expectations for vision correction, then you may be a good candidate for LASIK.
  • You understand and you are OK with the fact that you may need to wear glasses when reading or driving at night.

If you want to learn more about laser vision correction and see if it’s right for you, schedule a consultation by calling Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser at 808.955.3937.

Am I a candidate for LASIK?

If you’ve been wearing glasses or contacts but are wondering what life would be like to be able to see without them, you should talk to your doctor about LASIK laser vision correction. A comprehensive consultation with Dr. Maehara will determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK or other vision correction options. Here are some criteria to consider:

  • You have a stable prescription, which means your prescription hasn’t changed for two consecutive years or longer. Once your prescription stabilizes, there is less likelihood of your nearsightedness or farsightedness progressing and negating any benefit from LASIK vision correction.
  • You are 18 years old or older and have achieved ocular maturity, which means your eyes have fully developed. LASIK is FDA-approved for people ages 18 years and older. The only way to know if your eyes have achieved ocular maturity is to have a consultation with your eye doctor to discuss laser vision correction.
  • Your eyes are healthy, free of diseases, injuries and infections, and you are in good general health. If you have an ocular disease such as cataracts, diabetes or autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, LASIK and other laser vision correction options make not be a good choice for you. It’s also important that you share your entire health history and current medical conditions with your doctor to determine whether you are a good candidate for surgery. Pregnancy and certain medications such as acne medications and corticosteroids may affect the healing process.
  • You have realistic expectations. It’s important to understand the limitation of laser vision correction and to have informed expectations for the procedure, recovery and results.

If you’re wondering if you’re a good candidate for LASIK, now is the time to have a conversation with your eye doctor and share your vision goals. Dr. Maehara will help you understand what your options are for laser vision correction and map out a plan. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Maehara at Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser today by calling 808.955.3937.

Differences between LASIK and PRK vision correction options

While laser-assisted-in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is the most popular procedure to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) was the first and most common type of laser surgery for vision correction and is still performed frequently today. So what are the differences? Here, we break down them down: 

 

Both LASIK and PRK reshape the cornea to correct refractive errors. With LASIK, a corneal flap is created using a laser or blade. A computer-controlled surgical laser reshapes the layers of the cornea to correct distorted vision. The flap is then put back into place over the cornea and heals over the next few days. With PRK, the outer layer of the cornea called the epithelium is removed to gain access to the cornea for the laser to reshape it. After surgery, the epithelium grows back over time. 

 

Because PRK doesn’t create a flap, it could be a better procedure for patients with thin or irregular corneas. PRK is also a good option for patients who have large pupils or concerns about complications related to the flap created during the LASIK procedure. 

 

PRK recovery is somewhat more involved than with LASIK. This is because the epithelium is removed with PRK. Recovery can vary from a few days to a few weeks as the epithelium grows back. In most cases, you can drive a car in one to three weeks, but it can take up to six months for your final results to stabilize. With LASIK, the flap that’s created in the corneal stroma has to heal, which happens more quickly. Most patients see normally within several hours after surgery, and it takes only a few days to return to functional vision after LASIK. 

 

The “Wavefront” technology with LASIK improves not only how much you can see but also how well you can see. This state-of-the-art technology creates a three-dimensional corneal map to guide the laser to treat your specific visual irregularities rather than a “one size fits all” approach to patients with the same prescription. This reduces the risk of post-surgery complications such as glare, halos, and problems with night vision. 

 

Both LASIK and PRK are safe and effective surgeries. Your consultation with Dr. Jeffrey Maehara will help you determine which option is best for you. To learn more about your options for permanent vision correction, call 808.955.3937 today. 

Jeffrey Maehara, MD

Why choose Dr. Maehara for your LASIK procedure?

If you are considering LASIK surgery for vision correction, choosing your surgeon is one of the most important decisions you will make as he or she will be operating on your eyes. You want to select someone who has a lot of experience with the procedure and meets industry standards for selecting and screening outpatients, as not everyone is a good candidate for surgery. Also, you will want to choose a surgeon who invests in new technologies as it is always evolving and improving. And be sure to keep the staff in mind as a comfortable, safe environment is paramount to achieving the best outcome.

Here are six reasons why you should choose Dr. Jeffrey Maehara to perform your LASIK procedure:

  1. Raised in Honolulu, Dr. Maehara returned home to practice with his father Dr. Dennis Maehara after studying under three of the world’s top LASIK and refractive surgeons at Tulane University in New Orleans.
  2. Your surgeon must be board certified to practice his or her specialty. Dr. Maehara is board-certified by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and is a fellowship-trained Anterior Segment-Glaucoma Specialist, which means he has extensive experience with complex and advanced glaucoma management, LASIK, cataract and corneal transplants, and other refractive procedures.
  3. Dr. Maehara stays abreast of the latest technological advances in a constantly evolving field. He specializes in Bladeless LASIK eye surgery performed with the Allegretto Wave and IntraLase FS lasers.
  4. Safety is his team’s #1 priority, followed by providing the absolute best value for your money. Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser offers competitive prices and physician-only care, which means you will get a personal consultation with Dr. Maehara to discuss your options, complete your pre-operative evaluation, perform your surgery and carry through all post-operative care.
  5. Working together with friendly professional staff, Dr. Maehara continues to lead the way with new eye-care technology to ensure patients achieve the best possible vision.
  6. Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser is located in Honolulu with a satellite office in Waipahu, offering an array of services in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere.

If you are considering LASIK vision correction, schedule a consultation with Dr. Jeffrey Maehara at Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser today by calling 808.955.3937.

Why Choose Dr. Maehara for Your LASIK Procedure?

If you are considering LASIK surgery for vision correction, choosing your surgeon is one of the most important decisions you will make as he or she will be operating on your eyes. You want to select someone who has a lot of experience with the procedure and meets industry standards for selecting and screening out patients, as not everyone is a good candidate for surgery. Also, you will want to choose a surgeon who invests in new technologies as it is always evolving and improving. And be sure to keep the staff in mind as a comfortable, safe environment is paramount to achieving the best outcome.

Here are six reasons why you should choose Dr. Jeffrey Maehara to perform your LASIK procedure:

  1. Raised in Honolulu, Dr. Maehara returned home to practice with his father Dr. Dennis Maehara after studying under three of the world’s top LASIK and refractive surgeons at Tulane University in New Orleans.
  2. It’s important that your surgeon must be board certified to practice his or her specialty. Dr. Maehara is board certified by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and is a fellowship-trained Anterior Segment-Glaucoma Specialist, which means he has extensive experience with complex and advanced glaucoma management, LASIK, cataract and corneal transplants, and other refractive procedures.
  3. Maehara stays abreast of the latest technological advances in a constantly evolving field. He specializes in Bladeless LASIK eye surgery performed with the Allegretto Wave and IntraLase FS lasers.
  4. Safety is his team’s #1 priority, followed by providing the absolute best value for your money. Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser offers competitive prices and physician-only care, which means you will get a personal consultation with Dr. Maehara to discuss your options, complete your pre-operative evaluation, perform your surgery and carry through all post-operative care.
  5. Working together with friendly professional staff, Dr. Maehara continues to lead the way with new eye-care technology to ensure patients achieve the best possible vision.
  6. Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser is located in Honolulu with a satellite office in Waipahu, offering an array of services in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere.

 If you are considering LASIK vision correction, schedule a consultation with Dr. Jeffrey Maehara at Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser today by calling 808.955.3937.