Dr Parikh is a premiere San Diego LASIK surgeon, cornea specialist, and general ophthalmologist.

His range of treatment covers the following list of services.

Services in San Diego:
Pediatric Ophthalmology
Geriatric Ophthalmology
Corneal Transplantation
Cataract and Lens Implants
Medical and Surgical management of Glaucoma
GDX Scanning laser for Glaucoma Diagnosis
Routine and Emergency Eye Examinations
Diabetes Screening
Lasik Surgery
Custom LASIK/Refractive Treatments and Wave Front Technology
BOTOX Treatment

Specialized Services
Eye Trauma Evaluations
Medical and Surgical repair

Improving Best Corrected Vision
Glasses and contacts
contact lens fitting

Improving Best Uncorrected Vision
Myopic Lasik
Hyperopic Lasik
Myopic Lasek
Hyperopic Lasek
Myopic PRK
Hyperopic PRK
Astigmatic Keratotomy
Phakic Lens Implantation
Intacs

LASIK

		LASIK Laser Vision Correction, including LASIK San Diego, is a surgical treatment for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia that reshapes the cornea to improve visual focus. First, a microkeratome (a precise surgical instrument) is used to create a flap of corneal tissue which is folded back.
		An excimer laser is then used to remove microscopic layers of tissue to reshape the underlying cornea to an improved curvature.
		Once the laser treatment is completed, the flap is returned to its original position on the front surface (cornea) of the eye. Your dependence on glasses or contacts can be decreased or eliminated as a result of this procedure.

LASIK, or Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis (meaning to shape the cornea of the eye using a laser), is one of the most exciting and advanced laser procedures for correcting nearsighted, farsighted, and astigmatic vision. This brief outpatient visit is performed by an ophthalmologist using anesthetic eye drops that completely numb the eye, eliminating the use of needles, and is pain-free. While the patient is comfortably reclining, the surgeon creates a micro-thin protective flap, the approximate thickness of 3 human hairs. This is accomplished by using an extremely precise microsurgical instrument called a microkeratome. The microkeratome has delicate gears that run within tracks on a suction ring which gently glides across the cornea. As soon as the protective flap has been created, the surgeon uses state-of-the-art laser technology to gently sculpt the central cornea for the intended purpose of reducing or eliminating the need for corrective lenses. The protective flap is then replaced and heals instantly without the need for any stitches.

LASIK surgery in San Diego with Dr Parikh takes about 15-20 minutes. Most patients experience immediate visual recovery with little or no discomfort. During this rapid recovery period, a patient may experience a few hours of mild irritation which, in most cases, can be alleviated with eye drops. A patient's vision should be fully restored within 1-4 days without the need for any corrective lenses; however, most patients return to regular daily activity within 24 hours.

PRK (Photo Refractive Keratectomy)

The surgeon first removes the surface cells of the cornea. The laser is then used to sculpt the underlying tissue. The surface cells regenerate over the course of 48-72 hours under a contact bandage lens. To use the analogy of the cornea as a 400-page book with a fifty-page thick cover on either side, the cover is discarded and the first pages of the book are removed. The cover then grows back after the procedure.

There is no discomfort at all during this procedure. Following the procedure, expect a gritty sensation with some mild to moderate discomfort in the first few days, which will improve with time. Not all patients experience significant discomfort since topical analgesics (advil-like drops) and a contact lens are used as a bandage for the first few days as the surface layer fills in to cover over the exposed corneal nerve endings. Anesthesia is provided during the first 24 hours in the event of severe discomfort. All discomfort should be completely resolved within 2-3 days except in the rarest of cases. [Back to top]

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the lens within the eye. The normal function of the lens is to focus incoming light onto the retina so that one can see sharp and clear images.

For some of us, cataracts might begin developing in our 50's while others might live their entire life without a cataract. Cataracts are the number one vision problem in people aged 55 and older. Many types of eye injuries, certain types of medicines, and diseases such as diabetes can cause cataracts.

Cataract surgery has made tremendous advances in recent years. Today, it is the most frequently performed surgery for senior citizens in the United States. Cataract surgery has also become one of the most comfortable surgical procedures for a person to experience and the results are overwhelmingly positive with the outcome being the restoration of useful eyesight.

The results of cataract surgery are even better than they were only a few short years ago with the development of what has become known as " no stitch, no shot, no patch surgery." This technique allows the cataract to be removed from the eye and replaced with an implant (an artificial lens) through a "self - sealing" incision only a few millimeters in length. The incision is made at a slight angle so that the eye's own internal pressure keeps the incision closed so tightly that stitches aren't needed. The surgery no longer requires an injection to be given and instead the eye is simply numbed with drops and most patients go home the same day with no patch. This technique allows the eye to heal more quickly and with a minimal amount of discomfort. [Back to top]

LASEK

Millions of patients and surgeons have chosen (LASIK) Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis over (PRK) Photo Refractive Keratectomy because of the quick recovery time, less irritation and a decreased risk of haze in the cornea. LASIK reshapes the cornea under a protective flap allowing faster recovery and less discomfort, however, not all patients are candidates for LASIK. For patients that have extreme refractive errors, very thin, or abnormally shaped corneas, (LASEK) Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis may be the only option. Max Parikh, MD, of the Advanced Ophthalmology Institute, is one of the first surgeons to offer LASEK in San Diego. Please ask about the advantages associated with Lasek if you have been diagnosed with thin corneas. [Back to top]

Custom LASIK/Refractive Treatments and Wave Front Technology

Advanced Ophthalmology Institute has incorporated the next generation technology in Laser Vision Correction - Custom LASIK Treatments and Wave Front Technology. FDA studies suggest and many doctors believe customized treatment technology procedures will have a positive impact on the refractive procedure outcome for many LASIK patients. Custom LASIK in San Diego topographical and refractive data, acquired from pre-operative patient testing, to the excimer laser used in LASIK procedures providing a customized laser vision correction treatment.

Wavefront LASIK CustomLasik Procedure Provides Individualized Laser Vision Correction
Laser vision correction can now be customized to the unique characteristics of your eyes, thanks to advanced technology and approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Like a fingerprint, every patients' eye is unique. The CustomLasik procedure is performed with state-of-the-art technology measuring the unique characteristics of your vision, based on a digital "finger-print" map of the eye.

ILASIK Technology

Our doctors can create a unique correction that is specific to your vision and optimize the clarity of your vision. By specifically addressing the unique abberations or imperfections of your vision, the CustomLasik procedure can help you achieve your "personal best vision," without contact lenses or glasses. Results from a clinical study have confirmed the safety and effectiveness of the CustomLasik procedure, and demonstrated that it can potentially produce better vision than previously possible with contact lenses or glasses.

Optimizing "Your Personal Best Vision"
At the heart of the CustomLasik procedure is the Wavefront treatment system, which maps the entire optical path of your eye. The surgical Wavefront map produces a "fingerprint of your vision," providing your doctors with a precise and detailed guide for how to best improve your vision. The Wavefront Map is 25 times more precise for measuring visual imperfections than the technology commonly used to prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses. The digital information is then transferred to the Excimer Laser System, thus providing a new level of precision and accuracy for optimizing each patient's vision based on their specific needs. This technology enables us to correct your eyesight so that you get the best possible vision. In many cases, patients see better than 20/20 following a CustomLasik treatment.

CustomLasik: An FDA-Approved Procedure
The safety and effectiveness of the CustomLasik procedure is proven by the results of a clinical study conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to results from this FDA study, at one year after the procedure, 100 percent of the people whose vision was corrected with the CustomLasik procedure could pass a driving test without glasses or contact lenses. Ninety-eight percent of the people treated with CustomLasik had 20/20 or better vision at one year after the procedure, and 70 percent of those people could actually see better than 20/20, without the aid of glasses or contact lenses.

As individual as you are

iLASIK Technology: A Clear Advantage
iLASIK is the name coined by Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) for the specific combination of technologies making up the all-laser lasik procedure. iLASIK surgeons now have precise tools to painlessly measure and map the uniqueness of both of your eyes - down to the most minuscule characteristics individual to your vision. Detailed 3D mapping technology literally creates a blueprint (or fingerprint) of your eye, allowing the iLASIK surgeon to then custom-fit the iLASIK procedure for each of your eyes. The iLASIK procedure itself is revolutionized by the use of two computer-guided lasers - instead of one as in earlier generations of LASIK. The first, ultra-fast laser (Intralase laser) creates a thin corneal flap, which is then folded back to allow the second laser (CustomVue Wavefront Laser) to correct your vision based on the exact specifications of your eye(s). In a matter of minutes, the iLASIK procedure is performed. Patients experience a quick virtually painless procedure with the potential of 20/20 or better vision with outstanding safety and accuracy.

iLASIK Technology: Is it safe?
All branches of the U.S. military and NASA recently approved lasik for all their servicemen and women, thanks to studies using the iLASIK technology. NASA approved the LASIK procedure for its astronauts following review of extensive military clinical data, which showed the use of the two lasers (Intralase and Wavefront) provides greater safety and vision as compared to earlier forms of the procedure. The iLASIK procedure is custom-made for you, your specific vision and the unique characteristics of your individual eyes. Detailed mapping, precise measurements and using two of the most advanced lasers differentiate the iLASIK procedure from all others.

If you are 18 years of age or older and wear glasses or contact lenses to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism or mixed astigmatism, you may benefit from iLASIK Technology.

BOTOX Treatment
BOTOX is a FDA-approved cosmetic procedure to aid in the reduction of facial wrinkles and spasms. For nearly a decade, Dr. Parikh has preformed BOTOX treatments at Advanced Ophthalmology Institute with great success. [Back to top]