LASIK remains one of the most trusted and widely performed procedures for vision correction, offering patients freedom from glasses and contacts With remarkable precision and safety. Using the latest bladeless laser technology, Dr. Sheri Rowen, MD, performs advanced LASIK surgery at NVISION Eye Centers in Newport Beach and Fullerton, CA serving patients throughout Orange County.
Dr. Rowen combines decades of surgical experience with modern laser platforms such as the WaveLight® EX500 EXcimer Laser System (Alcon) and Z-LASIK FEMTO LDV to deliver personalized results and faster recovery times. Each treatment is carefully planned to match the patient’s unique vision needs and lifestyle.
SMILE is another method to offer a modern, flap-free way to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism, with quick recovery, less dry eye, fewer flap-related risks, and excellent long-term vision results.
Contoura Laser Vision is an advanced form of LASIK that uses detailed corneal topography measurements to create a customized excimer laser treatment profile designed not only to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism, but also to reduce subtle corneal irregularities and higher-order aberrations unique to each patient’s eye. By incorporating thousands of elevation data points from the corneal surface, Contoura treatment can improve the quality of vision as well as visual acuity, often resulting in sharper vision, improved contrast sensitivity, and reductions in glare, halos, and night vision symptoms compared with conventional laser vision correction in appropriately selected patients.
How LASIK Works
LASIK, or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, reshapes the cornea to correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The procedure improves how light is focused on the retina, creating sharper, clearer vision without reliance on corrective lenses.
Dr. Rowen performs bladeless LASIK using the Z-LASIK FEMTO LDV femtosecond laser, which creates an ultra-thin corneal flap with precise pulses of light instead of a blade. She then uses the WaveLight® EX500 EXcimer Laser System (Alcon) excimer laser to gently reshape the cornea. This combination ensures smoother surfaces, faster healing, and more predictable outcomes.
The entire procedure takes less than 30 minutes for both eyes. Most patients experience little to no discomfort and notice a dramatic improvement in their vision within 24 hours.
Who Is a Candidate for LASIK?
Ideal LASIK candidates include patients who:
- Are at least 18 years old with a stable vision prescription
- Have healthy eyes free of significant dryness or disease
- Are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism
- Want to reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses
Dr. Rowen evaluates each patient with advanced diagnostic imaging to determine candidacy. For individuals with thin corneas or high prescriptions, other options—such as the EVO ICL™ or refractive lens exchange—may be recommended instead.
Advanced LASIK Technology
Dr. Rowen’s practice features the most advanced laser systems available in the U.S.:
WaveLight® EX500 EXcimer Laser System (Alcon)
The WaveLight® EX500 EXcimer laser uses a multi-dimensional eye tracker that monitors eye movements at up to 1,050 times per second. This high-frequency tracking allows the system to detect even the smallest eye movements in real time, briefly pause if needed, and re-align the laser for precise treatment. Combined with PerfectPulse™ Technology, the system delivers highly accurate laser pulses while preserving the cornea’s natural curvature and helping minimize visual disturbances such as glare and halos, resulting in consistently clear, sharp vision.
Z-LASIK FEMTO LDV
The Z-LASIK FEMTO LDV is a femtosecond laser that creates a smooth, uniform flap without the need for a blade. Its gentle light pulses minimize pressure and protect surrounding tissue, allowing for a faster, safer procedure and smoother recovery.
By combining these technologies, Dr. Rowen ensures each treatment is fully customized for comfort, precision, and long-term visual stability.
Contoura® Vision LASIK
Contoura® is a topography-guided LASIK treatment designed to provide a more personalized laser procedure for patients with nearsightedness, or nearsightedness with astigmatism, based on the unique corneal topography of each eye.
We are all born with microscopic hills and valleys in our cornea. Custom Lasik (wavefront optimized Lasik – WFO) treats the average of all those hills and valleys. With Contoura®, the Topolyzer measures 22,000 unique elevation points on the cornea. The software then translates that information into a customized treatment that Is designed to eliminate the hills and valleys. The advantage of Contoura® is that 2/3 of our patients will see better than 20/20 compared to one out of three patients seeing better than 20/20 with WFO Lasik.
Condition Treated
About Nearsightedness
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common type of refractive error where near objects appear clearly, but far objects appear blurry. This happens when the eyeball is too long or the cornea has too much curvature, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.
About Astigmatism
Astigmatism causes your vision to be blurred at both near and far distances. It occurs when your cornea is shaped more like a football than a basketball.
Key features of astigmatism include:
Blurred or Distorted Vision: Individuals with astigmatism often experience blurred or distorted vision at both near and far distances.
Eye Strain and Discomfort: Astigmatism can lead to eye strain, headaches, and discomfort, especially after prolonged periods of reading or computer use.
Difficulty with Night Vision: Some people with astigmatism may notice challenges with night vision, including glare and halos around lights.
Combination with Other Refractive Errors: Astigmatism can occur on its own or in combination with nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Results and Recovery
Most patients achieve 20/20 or near-perfect vision within days of surgery. Normal activities can often be resumed within 24 hours, though patients are advised to avoid rubbing their eyes and limit strenuous exercise during the first week.
Follow-up visits confirm the eyes are healing properly and that the vision result is stable. While LASIK delivers lasting improvement, minor enhancements may occasionally be needed over time as natural eye changes occur.
Alternatives to LASIK
While LASIK suits most patients, a small percentage may not qualify due to corneal thickness or prescription range. Dr. Rowen evaluates each patient thoroughly and can recommend alternatives such as:
- EVO ICL™ – a removable lens implant that corrects vision without altering the cornea
- Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) –Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is a custom lens replacement (CLR).
Replaces the natural lens with an advanced IOL for clearer vision at all distances - Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK): PRK is a surface-based laser procedure that improves vision by reshaping the outer layer of the cornea. It eliminates the need for a corneal flap, making it an excellent choice for patients with certain corneal conditions, such as scarring or dystrophies, that make LASIK unsuitable.
During PRK, Dr. Rowen removes the epithelium—the thin surface layer of the cornea—and uses the excimer laser to precisely sculpt its curvature. A contact lens is applied after treatment to promote healing. Most patients experience some blurriness during the initial recovery phase, but vision continues to improve as the epithelium regenerates over several days.
PRK offers excellent long-term results, with the same visual clarity and stability expected from LASIK once healing is complete. - SMILE Procedure– a Flapless corneal surgery that removes a small lenticle of tissue to reshape the corneal for myopia with or without astigmatism.
These procedures offer similar freedom from glasses and can often be ideal for patients who are not LASIK candidates.
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a minimally invasive laser eye surgery used to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism. The procedure uses a specialized laser to shape a tiny contact lens-shaped piece of tissue inside the cornea, which is then removed through a tiny two-to-four millimeter opening without cutting a large flap. How the Procedure Works • Numbing drops are placed in your eyes so you feel no pain.
• • A gentle device keeps your eyelids open so you do not blink.
• • A computer-guided laser works for about 20 to 30 seconds to make a small tissue disc (lenticule) inside the cornea.
• • The surgeon removes this tiny piece of tissue through the small side opening, which instantly changes how light bends in your eye to clear your vision.
• Recovery and Benefits
• The entire laser step takes only a few minutes per eye.
• • Healing is fast, with most people returning to normal activities within a couple of days.
• • No corneal flap is created, which helps keep the outer layer of the eye stronger and lowers the chance of dry eyes afterward.
Why Choose Dr. Sheri Rowen?
Dr. Sheri Rowen, MD, FACS, is a board-certified ophthalmologist and internationally recognized LASIK specialist. She has performed thousands of laser vision correction procedures and was among the first to introduce wavefront-guided and bladeless LASIK techniques.
Her experience as a surgeon, educator, and medical innovator ensures that every patient receives advanced, personalized care. As Medical Director at NVISION Eye Centers, Dr. Rowen continues to refine her approach through technology integration and peer collaboration, helping patients achieve consistently excellent results.
Schedule a LASIK Consultation
Clear vision begins with trusted experience. Schedule your LASIK or other vision correction evaluation with Dr. Sheri Rowen, MD, at NVISION Eye Centers in Newport Beach, CA.
Patients across Orange County, including those from the Fullerton area, can call 949-854-7400. for more information or to book an appointment.
