LASIK
LASIK, Custom (Wavefront-Guided) LASIK, CATz and Blade-Free LASIK
Since it was approved by the FDA in 1999, LASIK (Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis) has helped millions of people in the US eliminate or greatly reduce their need for glasses or contact lenses.
Dr. Dougherty was one of the first surgeons in the US to perform laser vision correction on an investigational basis starting in 1993. He has performed over 20,000 laser vision procedures, and was among the first LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles, Ventura County (Camarillo) and Santa Barbara to offer Custom (Wavefront-Guided) and the first to offer the all new Z-LASIK. Z-LASIK is the first true blade free all laser LASIK performed by the Zeimer LDV femtosecond laser. The Ziemer is the most advanced Laser LASIK technology available and Dougherty Laser Vision owns the only such laser in Los Angeles, Ventura or Santa Barbara Counties.
Dougherty Laser Vision is also poised to become the first vision center in the US to offer the new CATz (Customized Aspheric Treatment Zone) LASIK technology that takes Custom LASIK to a whole new level.
THE LASIK PROCEDURE
LASIK treats nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism by removing precise amounts of tissue in specific parts of the cornea The procedure usually takes about 3 minutes per eye.
LASIK is performed in three steps:
1. Dr. Dougherty creates a small protective flap of corneal tissue, which is lifted and folded back.. 
2. The Doctor uses the laser to apply a cool beam of light that reshapes your cornea and corrects your vision.
3. Dr. Dougherty gently repositions the flap and the healing process begins immediately.
Custom (Wavefront Guided) LASIK
Custom ("Wavefront-Guided") LASIK is a further refinement of the LASIK procedure that facilitates more precise eye measurement and correction.
While conventional LASIK is based on the patient's overall eyeglass prescription, Custom LASIK uses Wavefront mapping technology to measure imperfections at hundreds of individual points on the eye. This enables the surgeon to highly customize treatment and help the patient achieve vision that is often better than the best vision possible with glasses or contact lenses. Custom LASIK also tends to result in better nighttime and low light vision than traditional LASIK.
Z-LASIK - Ultimate Perfection in Laser Vision Correction
Z-LASIK is a LASIK procedure performed with the Ziemer FEMTO LDV Femtosecond Surgical Laser in conjunction with any one of the leading excimer lasers. With the combined use of state of-the-art lasers and diagnostic equipment, Z-LASIK provides the best currently available treatment for superior vision correction.
Z-LASIK is a completely different treatment in fundamental ways. Ziemer's FEMTO LDV is not just another femtosecond laser, similar to Intralase, Femtec, or Zeiss. Compared to these conventional femtolasers, the FEMTO LDV operates at pulse rates that are orders of magnitude higher, pulse energies that are much lower, and delivery optics that are very tightly focused.
