If you live in Mission, McAllen or Laredo, Texas, and would like to know more about LASIK, contact eye surgeon Pankajkumar Shah (Pankaj G. Shah).







Shah Eye Center
1506 E. Griffin Parkway
Mission, Texas 78572
(956) 583-0202
Map and directions

Shah Eye & Lasik Vision Center
8607 McPherson Rd, Suite 102
Laredo, Texas 78045
(956) 753-0202
Map and directions

Monday to Friday: 8 am to 5 pm
Saturdays: By appointment only
Sunday: Closed

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IntraLase® and Custom Wavefront™ LASIK in the Rio Grande Valley and Laredo, Texas - About LASIK Surgery

In the last decade, more and more Americans have chosen to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses and contacts by undergoing the all-laser refractive surgery only from AMO. iLASIK combining the advanced WaveScan®Custom Vue system to capture an in-depth evaluation of your eyes, the innovative blade-free IntraLase® Femtosecond laser to create the flap, and the sophisticated VISX Star S4 Excimer Laser System to reshape the cornea. This new combination of Abbott Medical Optics technology has been approved by NASA, the military, and law enforcement.

ALL ABOUT iLASIK

Straight Facts About The iLASIK Procedure

Your wait is over! A lot of people have had successful LASIK, but as many as 10 times that number are good candidates that are waiting.1 Some people are waiting because they don't think they can afford it. Others are unaware of the true safety of the procedure. But most people are waiting simply because they lack the right information. The introduction of the iLASIK Procedure (using exclusive LASIK technology, only from AMO) means the wait is over and it's simple:

  • Most people are candidates - make an appointment and have a complementary VIP exam at the Shah Eye Center
  • The technologies used in the iLASIK Procedure are safe, effective2 and used in more than 10 million procedures
  • You can afford it, let us show you how
  • The iLASIK Procedure is not complicated - it's fast with rapid visual recovery

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Safe And Effective
The technology used in the iLASIK Procedure is very mature (the systems used today have been in use for years) and safe.2 Doctors have been performing laser vision procedures for over a decade, and 31.4 million procedures have been performed worldwide to date,3making it the most common elective vision procedure in the U.S. In fact, all branches of the U.S. military and NASA recently allowed the treatment of LASIK for their servicemen and women, thanks to studies using iLASIK Technology.

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The iLASIK Procedure
The iLASIK Procedure only takes minutes. It reshapes your cornea to correct the refractive imperfections in your eye (these imperfections are essentially the reason you are nearsighted, farsighted, etc.). Here's what happens:

  • You get an extensive exam by Dr. Shah and his staff
  • Computers/software are used to make an individual blueprint of your eyes; this blueprint is used to drive your laser correction and is what gives you a truly customized result
  • A laser is used to make a thin flap in your cornea
    • You'll be given numbing drops to provide comfort
    • This flap enables Dr. Shah to make the iLASIK correction
  • A second laser is used to make the correction to your cornea, based on your unique vision/eye characteristics
    • This correction is completely computer driven
    • It's safe,2 fast and effective
  • You can have great vision without glasses or contacts*

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Superior LASIK Flaps
To correct your vision with the iLASIK Procedure, a thin corneal flap needs to be created. There are two ways to make this flap: a blade or a laser. The iLASIK Procedure EXCLUSIVELY uses the IntraLase Laser; it's part of what makes iLASIK vision correction unique. Eighty-one percent of patients choose bladeless LASIK over traditional LASIK with a blade when given the choice.4
You have a choice: you want the laser, YOU WANT THE iLASIK PROCEDURE.

Just Asking
It's natural to have questions when considering the iLASIK Procedure. Dr. Shah and his staff are experts at answering those questions and are real pros who will provide plenty of support during the process. Still, here are a few answers to some of the questions we get asked the most:

  • You ARE AWAKE during the iLASIK Procedure, but you may be given medication to relax
  • Your eyes will be numbed with drops, and aside from a little pressure, patients are comfortable during the procedure
  • Typically BOTH EYES are treated during the same visit, if necessary
  • The iLASIK Procedure generally takes less than 10 MINUTES per eye
  • Outcomes may vary. Ninety-eight percent of mildly to moderately nearsighted patients participating in the CustomVue Clinical Trials submitted to the FDA could see 20/20 or better one year after treatment

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20/20 And Beyond
Surely you've heard the phrase "20/20 vision." This term has come to be known as the standard for "good" vision; it's the baseline. It means that you see at 20 feet what a person without any vision problems would see at 20 feet. If your vision was 20/40, it means that you can see an object 20 feet away, but a person without any vision problem would be able to see the same object if he/she is 40 feet away. In short, the higher the second number the worse your vision is, and the lower the second number the better your vision is. You need to be at least 20/40 in order to drive, while fighter pilots are often 20/15.
The vast majority of iLASIK patients have seen 20/20 OR BETTER after surgery ... That could be life changing!*


*Outcomes may vary. Ninety-eight percent of mildly to moderately nearsighted patients participating in the CustomVue Clinical Trials submitted to the FDA could see 20/20 or better one year after treatment.
References

1. Market Scope, 2006 Comprehensive Report on the Global Refractive Surgery Market.
2. Data on file. AMO Development, LLC. CustomVue Procedure Clinical Trials submitted to the FDA; 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007.
3. Market Scope Q1 2009 Quarterly Estimate.
4. Mahdavi S. IntraLase: coming of age. Cataract Refract Surg Today. October 2005:117-120.

Better Vision For Generation "i"
The iLASIK Procedure (using exclusive LASIK technology, only from AMO) is designed just for you and your generation.


Generation Y ... You're Not Too Young!
"I want it all -  on my terms. I wanted to lose my contacts, and I had heard about LASIK, but no one seemed to be talking to me - Now someone is finally speaking my language, and I'm having the LASIK procedure that's tailor-made for my generation."

When you're young, you rarely think about health procedures. But if you wear glasses or contacts, now's the time to think about laser vision correction surgery. You're not too young, and with your active lifestyle, why settle?*
The iLASIK Procedure is approved for patients 21 years and older and hundreds of patients in your age group are having LASIK every day.
*Outcomes may vary. Ninety-eight percent of mildly to moderately nearsighted patients participating in the CustomVue Clinical Trials submitted to the FDA could see 20/20 or better one year after treatment.

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Generation X - Your Wait Is Over!
"I want better vision, but not if it means getting in an assembly line. I was looking for a reason - a personal reason - to consider having LASIK right now... Individualized treatment is the reason that works for me and my generation."
You grew up in what could easily be called the "LASIK generation." You've heard all of the buzz - quite possibly you've been confused by it - and you've decided to wait.
The iLASIK Procedure is the result of a decade's worth of technical refinement; it combines all of the advanced all-laser LASIK technology in one efficient LASIK procedure ... It simply doesn't get any better, so now's the time.

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Baby Boomers - Great Vision Never Gets Old!
"I'd like to have the vision of my youth, but at what price? I wanted to know if LASIK is really safe? Is it worthwhile for someone my age? I'm here because the answers are "yes" and that means LASIK is finally ready for my generation."


Millions of Baby Boomers are searching for the formula for aging gracefully, yet they are still reaching for reading glasses. Glasses or contacts don't have to be standard operating equipment for growing older.
The introduction of the iLASIK Procedure means you need to take a second look at laser vision correction surgery, here's why:


It's Never Been Safer ... 31.4 million laser vision correction procedures have been performed worldwide to date,1 making it the most common elective vision correction procedure in the U.S.; LASIK has never been safer, and the iLASIK Procedure has an outstanding safety profile.2

References

1. Market Scope Q1 2009 Quarterly Estimate.
2. Data on file. AMO Development, LLC. CustomVue Procedure Clinical Trials submitted to the FDA; 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007.


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Millions Are Good Candidates For The iLASIK Procedure
The reality is that the majority of people who meet the age and general health requirements are in fact good candidates for the iLASIK Procedure (using exclusive LASIK technology, only from AMO). Unfortunately, many of the people we talk to have an incomplete understanding of LASIK and an antiquated view of what makes someone a candidate. Sure, there are some conditions that exclude certain patients, but whether you have nearsightedness, farsightedness or an astigmatism, there's a good chance you can still have the iLASIK Procedure.
Let's make it simple, if you meet the basic criteria below, you should call Dr. Shah at the Shah Eye Center and have a personal iLasik consultation.

  • You are at least 21 years old
  • You are in good general health
  • You have had a stable vision prescription for at least one year
  • If you have pre-existing ocular disease, Dr. Shah will be happy to discuss your personal situation with you.

Experience Life With The iLASIK Procedure
Improving your vision really means improving your lifestyle. Many people who know they are good candidates for the iLASIK Procedure (using exclusive LASIK technology, only from AMO) are still waiting. Maybe it's time to examine the lifestyle benefits that iLASIK vision correction can bring.

 

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Maybe Contacts Aren't The Long-Term Answer?
The iLASIK Procedure (using exclusive LASIK technology, only from AMO) is not without risk, but wearing contacts has its own risks. Infections with contacts can occur, so considering this possibility, the hassle of contacts and the lifetime costs of wearing contacts, maybe it's time for the iLASIK Procedure.

  • Have you wondered how much you spend annually on contacts and glasses?
  • Have you evaluated the lifetime costs?
  • Are your contacts becoming uncomfortable?

What About The Lifestyle Costs?

  • Do you realize how much time you spend cleaning and caring for your contacts?
  • What type of lifestyle compromises do you continue to make because of your contacts?
  • Have you ever found yourself on the road without your contact supplies?

The iLASIK Procedure vs. Contacts Cost Comparison1
What are you spending on contacts? It may be more than you think, and your long-term spending will almost certainly offset the cost of the iLASIK Procedure.


Now that you have a new perspective on laser vision correction...
Call the professionals at Shah Eye Center and set up your free personalized iLasik consultation!

References

1. Date on file. AMO Development, LLC. CustomVue Procedure Clinical Trials submitted to the FDA; 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007.

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The iLASIK Procedure Is Within Your Reach
Money shouldn't be the reason you're putting off having the iLASIK Procedure (using exclusive LASIK technology, only from AMO). We know that the simple saying, "you can't put a price on great vision" doesn't change the fact that you have to find a way to pay for the procedure. Here's a candid perspective on the financial ramifications of the iLASIK Procedure.

  • The Shah Eye Center can help you with financing, and many times the payments can be as low as $85 a month
  • When consumers where surveyed, they admitted that they were confused about the pricing of laser vision correction surgery; what's more, they were suspicious about advertisements that touted "on sale" LASIK ... A few facts about the iLASIK Procedure:
    • A customized procedure as advanced as the iLASIK Procedure typically cannot be done for $500
    • Naturally, your iLASIK Procedure fees will typically range between $2,000 to $3,000 per eye. Call us for our very special prices!
    • This price usually includes all of the pre-surgery evaluation and post-surgery follow-up exams
  • Have you wondered how much you spend annually on contacts and glasses? Have you evaluated the lifetime costs?
    • Are your contacts uncomfortable? Do you realize how much time you spend cleaning and caring for your contacts? What will that cost you in medical fees and productivity over a lifetime?