CCRS FAQ
At CCRS, we have been dedicated to delivering truly customized eye care and vision correction surgery since the office was established in 2000. While our primary objective is to offer the highest level of care, affordability is also at the forefront of our practice philosophy. We feel that by eliminating inefficiencies and focusing on the essentials, we can make world-class eyecare also affordable. To this end, Dr. Lee has continued to invest not only in the most advanced technologies but also in people through continued professional education for all the staff. There are four key components that reflect CCRS difference:
1) Latest technology: VisuMax-WaveLight EX500 Bladeless Wavefront LASIK, Topo-guided Custom Ablation Treatment (T-CAT), Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE), Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL), and Advanced Technology IOL for cataract surgery, and Corneal Cross-linking are some of the examples of cutting-edge technologies utilized for custom vision correction.
2) Expertise: Dr. Paul C. Lee is a pioneer and a leader in custom vision correction as evidenced by his experience, awards, and recognition but most importantly by the patient outcome and testimonials.
3) Affordability: This stems from Dr. Paul C. Lee’s lifelong belief that the highest quality care should also be affordable and that the cost should not be the major factor in realizing one’s dream of a perfect vision.
4) Friendly and caring staff: All of us here at CCRS realize that eye surgery can be very intimidating. Our staff at CCRS are not only dedicated to their responsibilities and take great pride in offering the very best in vision care but are also very compassionate and will go out of their ways to ensure that our patients’ experience as pleasant as possible.
Today, you can get the best solution to overcome impaired vision conditions through Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis aka LASIK. The LASIK procedure to overcome astigmatism, nearsightedness or farsightedness is done by decreasing or increasing the cornea curve and/or setting the irregular shape or profile of the cornea to a proper position. As the LASIK procedure is completed, you should gain improved vision or even fully normalized sight, which reduces or eliminates the need for supporting eyewear like glasses or contact lenses.
Meet Dr Paul C Lee MD of CCRS Lasik Laser Eye Surgery Center in Los Angeles
Dr. Paul C. Lee MD is recognized as one of the best eye physician and surgeons licensed to perform refractive procedures such as LASIK. Dr. Paul C. Lee MD and his CCRS Laser Eye Surgery Center are leaders and pioneers in vision correction and have been at the very forefront of offering all the proven and effective methods of refractive surgery procedures. These procedures include Bladeless Wavefront LASIK (VisuMax-Wavelight EX500), SMILE, Topography-guided Custom Ablation Treatment (T-CAT), and ICL. Dr. Paul C. Lee is recognized as the top ICL surgeon in the United States and also has the distinction of being the very first US surgeon to be certified for SMILE. In custom cataract surgery, Dr. Lee uses the advanced technology lenses in his state-of-the-art surgery suite to restore the highest quality of vision. He has dedicated more than 20 years of providing elite eyecare at an affordable price.
Dr. Lee utilizes the newest femtosecond laser technology by Zeiss called VisuMax. Through this technology, the surgical procedure can be finished in less than 10 minutes. The technology can eliminate elevated eye pressure, mechanical distortion, conjunctival hemorrhage, and other traumatic experience that are sometimes associated with performing LASIK.
Dr. Lee has excellent patient positive feedbacks and has been consistently voted as a “five stars rated” doctor. Most of his patients experience 20/20 vision and enjoy excellent vision free from glasses or contact lenses. Dr. Lee is known for his excellent bedside manner and patience, and patients find him very helpful and informative going through the complex information of modern-day advanced vision correction procedures. Most of Dr. Paul C Lee MD’s patients experience excellent recovery in 24 hours and are able to resume most normal activities the following day.
Dr. Lee is available by appointment only. The CCRS office hours are from9:00 am to 6:00 pm from Monday to Friday and at 8:00 am -2:00 pm on Saturday. The complete services available at CCRS range from VisuMax All-Laser LASIK, Topo-guided Custom Treatment (TCAT), Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE), to Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL). If you have a vision issue and need to discuss the right procedure for your condition, consult Dr. Paul C. Lee, MD at the CCRS LASIK eye center in Los Angeles CA.
Vision Correction Procedures
T-CAT stands for Topography-guided Custom Ablation Treatment. This is the LASIK at its highest level of precision perfected over 20 years of laser vision correction experience. It combines the two most important concepts in laser vision correction: Wavefront and Topography. Through the analysis of the cornea using a highly accurate diagnostic device called VARIO Topolyzer, 22,000 reference points are analyzed to yield comprehensive and detailed data. These data are then used to detect the most subtle abnormalities of the cornea and are then seamlessly transferred to Wavelight EX500 excimer laser for a true customized laser vision correction surgery. In the FDA study, T-CAT results have far exceeded other LASIK procedures with the highest rate of vision better than 20/20, the highest rate of patients seeing better than with their glasses or contact lenses, and finally highest rate of patient satisfaction. (Please see our video)
This is a process in which a vision correction is performed at the time of cataract removal. This is now possible as a result of advancements in cataract surgery, diagnostic devices, and lens technology. These advancements allow the doctors to prepare for surgery with greater precision, perform surgery with greater safety, and utilize advanced technology lenses to restore best natural vision independent of glasses following cataract surgery. Be sure to inquire about the newest technology in cataract surgery.
The advances in vision correction technology have now made the concept of true custom correction a reality. This means that “good enough” is no longer the expected nor acceptable outcome. At CCRS, we are dedicated to bringing out the very best vision in all of our patients. It is also equally important to offer the safest surgery possible. Considering the significant variation in the eye condition among patients, this cannot be achieved through one method alone. LASIK for everyone is now the concept of the past. We now have procedures that are effective and safe for people with high correction, a thin cornea, dryeyes, those at risk for glare and halos, and those with a higher probability ofexperiencing regression following surgery. These methods will also need to be modified according to the patient’s age. At CCRS, the patients will undergo a thorough examination following which all possible options will be discussed. (Please refer to our procedures section for different types of vision correction surgery.)
Common Questions
There are multiple reasons why a patient may experience glare and halos following vision correction surgery. The common underlying reason is the scattering of light as it passes through the cornea. This is why corneal surgeries such as PRK and LASIK tend to cause more glare and halos than non-corneal surgery such as ICL. PRK and LASIK physically alter the part of the cornea that is in the path of light whereas ICL does not induce any in changes to the natural shape of the eye. Dry eyes resulting in uneven tear film over the cornea can also scatter light and is another important reason for glare and halos.Finally, while large pupil size has been widely regarded as a cause for glare and halos, it has been shown recently that except for very large pupils (greater than 9 mm), there is no significant correlation between pupil size and degree of glare and halos observed following LASIK surgery.
The eye has a self-monitoring and self-regulating mechanism to keep itself lubricated. Following LASIK, eyes can become dry as a result of disruption in this mechanism. Approximately two to four weeks following surgery, this mechanism is restored and tear production returns to baseline. However in some patients, especially those who have a preexisting dry eye condition, the post-operative recovery process may be delayed or incomplete. Very rarely this condition will affect the health of the eyes. Also now there are several effective treatments to address dry eyes.
There are two reasons why vision may change following vision correction surgery. First is the “healing or reparative process” following surgery, and the second is the natural changes that occur with age. This healing process is observed with “subtraction procedures” such as LASIK and PRK in which corneal tissue is removed. Thus, with a greater amount of tissue removal, there is a greater probability of change in vision following surgery. This process, called regression, can be effectively addressed with a “touch up” or enhancement procedure.
No. Local anesthesia is achieved with eye drops and the procedure takes less than five minutes per eye. Furthermore, during VisuMaxBladesless LASIK, patients experience minimal pressure and discomfort. The curved interface of the laser makes gentle contact with the eye similar to putting on a contact lens. This gentle way of creating a flap is also the most precise and safest way to perform LASIK surgery. While some patients may experience tearing and mild burning sensation following surgery, there are drops to significantly reduce this post-operative discomfort.
