Weill Cornell Medical Center New York -Presbyterian Hospital
Department of Ophthalmology
Volume1/Number 01/Spring 2000
Our Location
The Laser Vision Correction Center, under the direction of Sandra Belmont, M.D., has relocated to a new, state-of-the-art, three thousand square foot suite in the Department of Ophthalmology Starr Pavilion at Weill Cornell Medical Center-New York Presbyterian Hospital (525 East 68th St. Starr-849. New York, NY 10021).
Our Services
The Center is open to provide free comprehensive consultations to potential patients on Mondays through Fridays, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. Dr. Belmont performs laser vision correction procedures on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Our Technology
The Center utilizes the most advanced laser technology to optimize visual outcomes. Our VISX Star2 upgrade makes use of broad beam technology and features a built-in, pupil-centered fixation device, which allows the surgeon to focus the laser beam directly over the visual axis. Pupil-centered fixation ensures that ablations can be performed expediently and safely, regardless of eye color or saccadic eye movements, unlike other trackers (ex: The flying spot eye tracker locks in on the edge of the pupil, not on the visual axis, making dark irides very difficult to track).
Doctor Sandra Belmont and Lasik Patient Photo courtesy Robin Thomas
Uncorrected visual acuity results with pupil-centered fixation and broad beam technology are higher than results with other laser devices. It is for this reason that the FDA has given this system approval for treatment among the widest range of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. This technology has also produced the CAP (Contoured Ablation Pattern) method for the treatment of irregular corneas1 and mixed astigmatism2.
The thousands of patients treated with laser vision correction by Doctor Sandra Belmont have outstanding results and are the greatest source of newly referred patients.
Our Director
The Internationally recognized Sandra Belmont, M.D., F.A.C.S., has over fifteen years of experience in laser vision correction and most importantly, is corneal fellowship trained. She is the sole director of the corneal fellowship at Weill Cornell Medical Center-New York Presbyterian Hospital. Each year, a physician is trained to specialize in corneal and laser surgery under her auspice.
Our Research
Dr. Belmont and her fellow, Dr. Howard Liu, are very active in corneal research. They are presenting advanced technological studies of laser vision correction at the upcoming ARVO (Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology) meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. In addition, Dr. Belmont is an invited speaker at this yearsí ASCRS (American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery) meeting in Boston, MA, where she will discuss a new laser technology to treat farsightedness: LTK (Laser Thermal Keratoplasty).
Doctor Belmont was one of the first few investigators for the Sunrise LTK procedure. The technique involves a painless three-second application of laser energy to the cornea to decrease farsightedness. There are potentially fifty million Americans that are candidates for this new procedure. The Laser Vision Correction Center at Weill Cornell Medical College-New York Presbyterian Hospital will be the first to install the new laser in the tri-state area after FDA approval. This is anticipated to occur within the next few months.
Sunrise Hyperion Laser (LTK) Photo courtesy Sunrise Technologies
1The use of CAP Method for the Star S2 is investigational in the U.S.
2The treatment of mixed astigmatism is investigational in the U.S.
Doctor Sandra Belmont
Photo courtesy Robin Thomas
The Director
Internationally recognized, Sandra Belmont, M.D., F.A.C.S., has over fifteen years of experience in laser vision correction and is corneal fellowship trained.She is the sole director of the corneal fellowship at Weill Cornell Medical Center-New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Edited by John Saegaert Vol.1, Number 1. Spring, 2000.