¥ _ The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, May 12, 1999 _ 5. Farsightedness can now be corrected by laser procedure Nearsightedness and astigma- tism aren't the only visual condi- tions able to be treated by laser corrective procedures. As of No- vember 1998, when the FDA granted approval to treat farsight- edness using the VisX STAR laser system, even those who depend upon eyewear for their farsight- edness are now able to eliminate or greatly reduce their dependency on: corrective lenses. Th. ¢ STAR laser is installed at North- eastern Eye Institute in Scranton, where well over a thousand pro- cedures have already been per- formed on near-sighted patients since approval was granted in 1995. And now, patients in the Back Mountain area have access to convenient pre- and post-op- erative care at Northeastern Eye Institute’s Shavertown office, for- -merly Back Mountain Eyecare Center. David A. DeRose, M.D., who recently joined the staff of the Shavertown office, specializes in performing the latest refractive surgery procedures (PRK and LASIK) and Curtis Goodwin, O.D. is certified in providing pre- and post-operative care for both LASIK arid ‘PRK. “Until now, only those with nearsightedness and astig- matism could be helped,” said DeRose. “It's exciting for those whorare farsighted to now have a reliable option to correct their vi- sion without lenses.” John /T. LiVecchi. M.D., F.A.C.S., who introduced contem- porary refractive surgery to North- eastern Pennsylvania, and Dr. Stephen Pascucci, are both board- certified ophthalmologists at Northeastern Eye Institute who have performed a large number of laser vision correction procedures. They share in the excitement felt by Dr. DeRose. "The clinical re- sults with the laser treatment for farsightedness have been out- standing,” said LiVecchi. “Follow- ing the procedure, over 95 per- cent of the patients treated achieved 20/40 vision or better, the minimum level required to obtain a driver's license.” Doctors at Northeastern Eye also point out that this technol- ogy is not entirely new. “Until now, only those with nearsighted- ness and astigmatism could be helped. This technology, for far- sightedness, now makes it pos- sible to treat virtually half of the adult population that suffer from various refractive disorders,” said Pascucci. While there are several types of laser vision correction procedures being performed today, LASIK (Laser-In-Situ Keratomileusis) is by far the most preferred by oph- thalmologists due to the amazing degree of precision, absence of pain and rapid recovery involved. As opposed to other modalities, LASIK is also favored for those with higher degrees of near- or farsightedness and offers instant gratification, since patients see clearly immediately following the procedure. From start to finish, the whole procedure takes just a few min- utes per eye to complete. Nearsightedness and farsight- edness are caused by a subtle malformation in the shape of the eye. Laser surgery offers a precise and painless way to re-shape the cornea, altering the focal point of the eye and allowing permanent vision corrections of, in nearly 95% of the cases, 20/40 or better. This means that following the pro- cedure, patients can play sports, join the police or fire departments, or drive legally... all without the hindrances of glasses or contact lenses. An additional advantage is the money saved on eyewear that is no longer necessary. Until 1990, the primary tech- nique for visual correction was RK (Radial Keratotomy), a proce- dure which required metal or dia- mond blade incisions to be placed manually into the cornea. In 1983, a group of American ophthalmolo- gists began utilizing the excimer laser tore-shape the cornea. This provided far more accurate and predictable results than manual methods. Excimer laser technol- ogy, used in the LASIK and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) pro- cedures, uses non heat-produc- ing ultra-violet light to remove very small amounts of tissue from the surface of the eye, as in PRK, or from the inner layers of the cornea, as in the LASIK proce- dure, as it flattens the curvature of the cornea, allowing light rays entering the eye to properly focus on the retina. Established in 1984, Northeast- ern Eye Institute has 11 ophthal- mologists, 24 optometrists and a staff of 220 at 19 offices in the greater Northeastern Pennsylva- nia region, including the one at 170 Memorial Highway in Shav- ertown, making it the largest eye care facility of its kind in the area. Northeastern Eye Institute is the first facility of its kind to pro- vide excimer laser surgery for the correction of nearsightedness, far- sightedness and astigmatism. It has also been recognized as a leader in the specialized areas of cataract, glaucoma, cornea, re- fractive, retina and oculoplastic surgery. There is an ophthal- mologist on call 24 hours a day, every day of the year to respond to eye emergencies and its Ambula- tory Surgery Center located in Scranton is the only state-li- censed, Medicare-approved out- patient facility in the area solely dedicated to eye surgery. In order to determine whether or not you are a candidate for laser vision correction, contact an optometrist in your area or call 1- 877-NEI-VISION for more infor- mation. 1:0 ("EY oe 825-3491 Introducin Mowest Northeastern Eye Institute is pleased to welcome David A. DeRose, M.D. to its expanding network of eyecare professionals. Dr. DeRose holds a bachelors of science degree from the University of Rochester and earned his medical degree from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia. He completed his internship in ophthalmology at :« Hahnemann University : Hospital and a cornea and + Slaucoma fellowship at | Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh. Dr. DeRose specializes in treating glaucoma, diseases of the Davi cornea, cataract surgery and the latest refractive surgery procedures (PRK and LASIK). : | ro Dr. DeRose is currently seeing patients at Northeastern Eve Institute’s Wilkes-Barre and Shavertown offices. With 19 Convenient Offices. 1-800-334-2233. Now accepting most major insurance plans eluding Geisinger Health Plan and First Priority. Wilkes-Barre 141 South Main St. Shavertowh 170 N. Memorial Hwy. 675-3627 Our Give your dentures the slip! Consider dental implants from an experienced Periodontist who specializes in these procedures. Call Charles J. Musto, D.M.D. at 283-3611 to set up an appointment SHAPE UP FOR SUMMER Our new STARI/ite weight management program makes it easier and more affordable! Make this the summer you get in shape and keep in shape! STARI/ite makes it easier than ever with a comprehensive and totally flexible weight management and fitness program. This extraordinary package includes: e Three-month STAR Fitness Center membership e Individual nutrition assessment by a Registered Dietitian e Three one-on-one personal training sessions Cost: Just $150! Wait, there’s more! STARIite offers ongoing weekly educational sessions* — just $15 per session — designed to help you reach your “fit-for-life” goals! Sign-up for your summer SHAPE UP now! Call 552-4530 to register today. * Educational sessions meet on Wednesday evenings or Thursday mornings and are required for program participation. Attention QualMed Subscribers: Your insurance plan may reimburse you up to $200 for this program. ALL FOR INFORMATION ON OUR SPECIAL SUMMER PROGRAMS. A Service of WYOMING VALLEY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM Back Mountain Eye Care Center Is Now Exciting things are happening at Back Mountain Eye Care Center. Because of our recent merger with Northeastern Eye Institute — the largest eye care facility in Northeastern Pennsylvania — Dr. Curtis L. Goodwin can now offer his patients a full continuum of eye care services... from thorough eye exams, complete contact lens department and a full selection of fashion frames... to comprehensive Ophthalmic eye care. Northeastern Eye Institute has long been recognized as the leader in the specialized areas of cataract, glaucoma, cornea, refractive, retina and occuloplastic surgery. Together, Northeastern Eye and Back Mountain Eye Care offer you the best resources and value for safeguarding your precious eyesight. And now joining Dr. Goodwin at NOHARSEH Eye Institute's Shavertown office is David A. DeRose, M.D. Dr. DeRose specializes in the latest refractive surgery procedures (PRK and LASIK), as well as treating glaucome, diseases of the cornea and cataract surgery. While our name may be changing, the faces remain the same. You can still be assured of the same personalized, professional care you have always received from Dr. Goodwin and the staff at Back Mountain Eye Care. "170 N. Memorial Hwy. Shavertown 675-3627
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers