Using Topography-Guided LASIK for Astigmatism & Near-Sightedness

Many people wonder if LASIK can correct their astigmatism or near-sightedness. Advancements in LASIK have made astigmatism treatments very successful, particularly for people with certain types of astigmatism.

Want to learn more about treatment for your astigmatism or near-sightedness? Give us a call to schedule your free consultation and find out if you are a candidate. During your visit you’ll learn about which treatment options are best for you.

Special: FREE CATz Upgrade for eligible, screened candidates! (A $500 per eye value)

Why Choose Dougherty Laser Vision to treat your astigmatism?

In 2014 Dr. Paul Dougherty of Dougherty Laser Vision was the first to perform the FDA-approved topography-guided LASIK procedure in Southern California. Dougherty Laser Vision continues to be the top provider for this specialized treatment. This new generation of laser technology is far more precise and has fewer night vision side effects than even the most advanced wavefront-guided LASIK.

The new topography-guided technology – known as Customized Aspheric Treatment Zone (or “CATz”) – maps the patient’s cornea by measuring nearly 7,000 points of light, versus the approximately 200 points of light measured with traditional wavefront technology. This more precise measurement creates a topographic map of the cornea that shows even the most subtle distortions. As a result, nearly half of the LASIK patients treated as part of the CATz FDA clinical study achieved “supervision” (better than 20/20 vision), with reduced risk of post-LASIK complications such as glare and halos. CATz may also be used to correct such complications following LASIK performed with less advanced technology.

“CATz is by far the most precise LASIK technology available and represents a huge leap forward,” – Dr. Dougherty

CATz LASIK Technology

CATz is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat patients with astigmatism and nearsightedness. It is also the first LASIK technology to show improved night vision after surgery (compared to using glasses or contact lenses).

Optometrist Dr. Gary Jacobs of All About Eyes in Oxnard, California said, “I’m thrilled that our patients can finally benefit from this remarkable new procedure.” Dr. Jacobs is one of the highest volume LASIK co-managing optometrists in the nation.

The specific CATz technology approved by the FDA is the NIDEK NAVEX Quest EC-5000 Excimer Laser System. Dr. Dougherty served as a principal investigator for the system’s 2005 U.S. clinical trial, for which Dougherty Laser Vision was the leading enroller of patients.
Dr. Dougherty was also lead author of the published, peer-reviewed scientific paper on CATz, and currently serves as a physician trainer instructing other surgeons on how to perform topography-guided LASIK.

The first patient Dr. Dougherty treated with CATz following FDA approval of the NIDEK system was a 34-year old woman with moderate nearsightedness and astigmatism. After surgery, her vision is better than 20/20, without glasses or contacts!

“I’m proud to have played a role in its development over the past 10 years. I’m also delighted to be one of the first surgeons in the nation to offer what is now the new gold standard for LASIK” – Dr. Dougherty

The patient was referred to Dr. Dougherty by Dr. Stacy Hamlet, an optometrist with Conejo Family Eyecare in Thousand Oaks, California. “Our patient was exceptionally happy with her results,” said Dr. Hamlet. “Topography-guided LASIK is an exciting new treatment option, and we look forward to referring many additional patients.”

While just a small number of surgeons in the U.S. are currently trained and certified to offer topography-guided LASIK, the procedure and related technology have been used widely for more than a decade throughout Europe, Asia and South America.

The CATz system approved in the U.S. uses 6,880 points of light to create a topographic map that enables surgeons to create a target map of what the cornea should look like after surgery. The target map is then used to guide the laser to correct any nearsightedness and astigmatism, as well as smooth out any topographic irregularities.

The NIDEK NAVEX Quest EC-5000 is also the first excimer laser system shown to improve night vision following LASIK. “It has the highest fidelity of any laser vision correction laser, and its results are unsurpassed,” added Dr. Dougherty.