Riverview Medical Center Is The First Hospital In The Region To Offer The Latest in Blade-Free Lasik Technology

Online, May 11, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Red Bank, NJ - Sight is a precious gift. It allows us to see the faces of our family, friends, and loved ones and connect with the world around us. Riverview Medical Center, in conjunction with Riverview's Vision Correction Center, today announced it is the only hospital in Monmouth or Ocean counties to offer residents the latest 100 percent blade-free LASIK technology available, the IntraLase iFS (femtoseond) laser. The iFS laser is the only FDA-cleared femtosecond laser proven with more than 10 years of clinical research improving both the safety and precision of LASIK.

The iFS laser offers a highly sophisticated way to prepare the eye for LASIK, without a blade ever touching it. Prior to this laser technology, traditional cutting by hand was required to seal the flap above the eye.

"The LASIK procedure has never been safer and more precise thanks to the blade-free IntraLase Method with the iFS laser, which represents the modern standard of care in vision correction worldwide," says Walter Kahn, M.D., ophthalmologist affiliated with Riverview Medical Center. "NASA astronauts and U.S. pilots can have LASIK today because of the exclusive, validated safety and precision performance of the IntraLase Method, and I'm proud to offer our patients this same advantage close to home at Riverview Medical Center."

Clinical studies show excellent visual outcomes and high patient satisfaction when the blade-free IntraLase Method is used. LASIK using the iFS laser is proven to provide faster visual recovery, fewer dry eye symptoms, and maximum flap stability - three times that of a blade-created flap.

And while not an astronaut, no one knows the advanced benefits of this technology more than Jessica Hergenrother of Morganville, NJ. At 27 years old, Jessica has battled juvenile diabetes since birth. Jessica never thought she would be a candidate for LASIK due to her condition. After speaking with her cousins and great grandfather, who were all patients of Dr. Kahn, Jessica met with Dr. Kahn and after a thorough evaluation, was told that she was a candidate for the LASIK procedure.

"Like many others, the initial thought of anyone going anywhere near my eyes was something that caused me great anxiety," says Hergenrother. "But the fact that I had several family members that were previous patients of Dr. Kahn alleviated most of my worries. The staff at the Vision Correction Center at Riverview was comforting and nothing short of amazing, and I now have perfect vision for the first time in my life."

The Vision Correction Center at Riverview recently expanded its technology suite to include the IntraLase iFS laser thanks to the generosity from an endowment from the Matthews family. Dr. William Matthews was the very first ophthalmologist to join Riverview Medical Center and was on staff for more than 35 years, including spending time as president of the Medical Staff. Dr. Matthews, who passed away in 1964 was beloved by his patients and donated his time to provide charity work in India.

"Dr. Matthews was always interested in new technology to promote better eye care for his patients," says Dr. Kahn. "I know he would be extremely proud to be part of Riverview's Vision Correction Center and thrilled with the successes of the IntraLase iFS laser."

For more information regarding LASIK treatment at Riverview Medical Center call the Vision Correction Center at 732-530-2295. For further information on the iFS laser, visit www.RiverviewMedicalCenter.com.

About Riverview Medical Center
Riverview Medical Center, a member of the Meridian Health Family, is a 463-bed not-for-profit community hospital located on the Navesink River in Red Bank, New Jersey. Riverview Medical Center provides health care programs and services in all major medical disciplines including: maternity, oncology, orthopedics and rehabilitation, neurology, thoracic and vascular surgery, cardiology, renal dialysis, diabetes management, and emergency and critical care services. Riverview's Jane H. and John Marshall Booker Cancer Center offers comprehensive cancer services close to home, while Riverview's Jane H. Booker Women and Children's Center combines expertise and convenience to address preventative health, diagnosis, treatment, and support for women of all ages. Riverview Rehabilitation Center is Monmouth County's only fully-accredited inpatient rehabilitation facility, and Riverview is a designated Primary Stroke Center and has also maintained prestigious Magnet designation for Nursing Excellence since 1998. Riverview is the only hospital in the region with the groundbreaking CyberKnife® system, offering new hope for patients with inaccessible or inoperable tumors. For more information about Riverview Medical Center and Meridian Health, please call 1-800-DOCTORS or visit www.riverviewmedicalcenter.com.

Contact : Tom Paolella, Public Relations Manager
732-530-2282
[email protected]