Dr Paul J Botelho Offers VISX Advanced CustomVue LASIK with IntraLase Laser Surgery To Fall River Ma

Aug. 28, 2009 - PRLog -- Dr. Paul J. Botelho is pleased to announce he is now offering VISX Advanced CustomVue LASIK with AMO’s IntraLase FS Technology to the residents of Southeastern Ma. and RI.  This means LASIK surgery is completely performed by laser without any blades or use of a microkeratome.  In the past a microkeratome was used to create a flap in the front of the eye so that a laser could be applied to precisely re-shape the cornea to a contour that would allow a person to dramatically reduce their need for eye glasses or contact lenses for distance vision.  Now with the advent of AMO’s IntraLase FS Technology, Dr. Botelho is able to precisely control the flap creation process with a laser allowing for more uniform flap shape and thickness.  The ability to have a more precisely created corneal flap means that the thickness of the flap can be much thinner enabling patients who were previously not good candidates for LASIK to be treated.  

There are many types of refractive laser surgery; each one geared for a specific patient need.  The most common are LASIK (Laser In Situ Keratomileusis), epi-LASIK (Epithelial- Laser In Situ Keratomileusis), Lasek  (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis), and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy).  All of procedures have in common the need for the creation of a “flap” and the application of a wavefront-guided laser to precisely reshape the cornea to a contour that will allow the patient to see more clearly at a distance.  The way that the procedures differ is in the way the flap is created.  Some, as in LASIK and epi-LASIK, actually create a flap that is laid back down after surgery through the means of a microkeratome or now IntraLase and others, as in LASEK and PRK, require that the outer most layer of the cornea be removed through various chemical or manual means and then allowed to grow back after a period of 2-3 days.  All of the surgeries have similar visual outcomes with the difference being in total healing time.  Typically LASIK surgery allows a patient to see clearly sooner because the “flap” is not removed and does not have to grow back.  The total time per eye for each procedure is less than 5 minutes.  The patient is completely awake but given a mild sedative to help them relax and, there is no pain during the treatment.  

It is important to come in for a free no obligation IntraLase LASIK evaluation in order to ascertain if you are a good candidate for a laser procedure.  Dr. Botelho is very conservative in his philosophy and only treats approximately 40% of patients he sees.  The initial screening appointment takes less than one hour and you will not be dilated for this visit.  During the screening you will go through a series of ophthalmic tests and then have a private consultation with Dr. Botelho.  You are welcome to bring a friend or family member with you and may spend as much time meeting with Dr. Botelho as you feel comfortable with.  Please call 508-674-2020 to schedule your evaluation.

Dr. Botelho is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist and a Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners who is also a Fellowship Trained Physician in Cornea and Refractive Surgery from the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute.  Being a Corneal Specialist, Dr. Botelho performs all types of anterior segment surgery from LASIK refractive surgery to corneal transplants to cataract surgery.  Dr. Botelho sees patients in three offices:  300 Hanover St. Suite 1A in Fall River, Ma.,  500 Faunce Corner Rd. Suite 110 in Dartmouth, Ma., and 1 Washington St. in Taunton, Ma.  Please call 508-674-2020 to schedule a free no obligation  IntraLase LASIK screening exam with Dr. Paul J. Botelho and start your way to a world less dependent on eye glasses and contact lenses.  www.botelhoeyeinstitute.com

Serving residents of Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton, Providence, Dartmouth, Somerset, Swansea, Freetown, Lakeville, Berkley, Dighton, Rehoboth, Raynham, Seekonk, Acushnet, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Marion, Wareham, Tiverton, Bristol, Portsmouth, Newport, Middletown, Narragansett, Little Compton, and Boston.

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Paul J. Botelho MD is a Fellowship Trained Corneal Refractive Cataract Surgeon located at 300 Hanover St. Suite 1A in Fall River, Ma. Dr. Botelho welcomes all new and existing patients. Please call 508-674-2020 or visit www.botelhoeyeinstitute.com.