Weill Cornell Medical Center New York -Presbyterian Hospital
Department of Ophthalmology
Volume1/Number 02/Summer 2000
Weill Cornell at the Frontier of Technological Innovation
The most exciting recent development in the field of laser vision correction is LTK, or Laser Thermal Keratoplasty. What most notably differentiates LTK from its cousin Lasik, is that LTK is a "No Touch" procedure. No corneal tissue is cut or removed in the course of surgery.
The procedure received FDA approval for the treatment of hyperopia on June 30th of this year. Doctor Sandra Belmont is one of the principal investigators for the FDA study of LTK. Doctor Belmont has performed LTK and followed the patients post-operatively here at Weill Cornell Medical Center for the past 5 years. Now available to the general public, the Laser Vision Correction Center is the only place in the Northeastern U.S. where this remarkable treatment is being offered.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is the most common refractive error among the American population. There are about 60 million farsighted Americans over the age of 40 in the U.S. These are the individuals who may benefit from LTK.
"Hyperopes see poorly both near and far and often find themselves dependent on glasses or contact lenses for the first time around the age of 40." -Dr. Belmont
The LTK Procedure
"Laser thermal Keratoplasty, or LTK, is the first refractive laser procedure designed specifically for the treatment of hyperopia" Doctor Belmont states. "It is an extremely safe and effective three-second, surgical technique".
During Laser Thermal Keratoplasty, two concentric rings of eight simultaneous spots of laser energy are applied to the mid-periphery of the cornea (outside of the optical zone), at the 6 and 7-millimeter zones. The collagen shrinks, steepening the cornea.
During LTK, two concentric rings of laser energy are applied to the mid-periphery of the cornea.
Lasik Technology
The Center utilizes the most advanced laser technology to optimize visual outcomes. Our VISX Star2 upgrade makes use of broad beam technology, insuring shorter treatment time, fewer laser pulses, and less tissue removal than with other lasers.
A built-in, pupil-centered fixation device 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).
Uncorrected visual acuity results with pupil-centered fixation and broad beam technology are higher than results with other laser devices. 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 corneas. and mixed astigmatism.
Of course, Experience is the key to reducing Lasik complications and improving outcomes. The thousands of patients treated with laser vision correction by Doctor Belmont have outstanding results and are the greatest source of newly referred patients.
Dr. Belmont explains corneal topography to patient.
Doctor Sandra Belmont
Foto por cortesia da 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 2. Summer, 2000.