Interview by Angelina Cappiello
For decades, the Dello Russo name has been synonymous with vision innovation. His father made history as the first surgeon in the United States to perform LASIK, and now Dr. Jeff Dello Russo is carrying that legacy into a new frontier—one shaped by artificial intelligence, precision optics, and unprecedented personalization.
Inside his state-of-the-art operating suite, Dr. Dello Russo is the first in the country to introduce WaveLight Plus, an AI-assisted LASIK technology that is redefining what’s possible in refractive surgery. This breakthrough integrates advanced ray tracing, intelligent diagnostics, and 3D modeling to create a uniquely tailored treatment plan for every single eye. It’s the first time LASIK has reached this level of individualized accuracy—transforming outcomes, safety, and the patient experience.
With Alcon’s SightMap platform, surgeons can now create a 3D eye-avatar,” a digital twin of the patient’s eye, enabling a deeper understanding of its structure than ever before. The system then uses AI to optimize treatment in real time, shaping a custom laser path that reflects the patient’s exact anatomy.
The results are striking: 98% of patients achieve 20/20 vision or better, many waking up the next morning seeing as clearly as they ever have. Faster recovery. Greater precision. Safer procedures. And a new standard for visual excellence.
Preferred Health Magazine sat down with Dr. Jeff Dello Russo in his OR to explore how this technology is transforming modern eye care—and what it means for the future of LASIK.
PHM: What makes this different from traditional LASIK?
Dr. Jeff Dello Russo: It adds a lot of bonus information, in a way. Instead of only looking at someone’s eyeglass prescription—what they wear in glasses, what we measure from their existing glasses, and the standard ‘better one, better two’ testing—this goes further. Traditionally, we walk patients through finding their best correction, which is then turned into a treatment, whether for glasses or contacts. This system takes that information and adds a tremendous amount of additional data.
The device we use with the WaveLight Plus system captures information we were never able to measure before. These aren’t things you can get from simple computerized measurements or by asking a patient which option looks clearer. The device sends thousands and thousands of rays of light into the eye. They bounce back into the computer system, creating a digital image—almost like a virtual clone or avatar of the eye—based on that light-ray tracing.
Here’s where the artificial intelligence component comes in. The computer system models and reconstructs the eye in the software, creating that virtual model, and 'eye-vatar'. It then tests thousands of different prescriptions on that model, running simulation after simulation and matching results until it finds the perfect prescription. It adds that information to the regular eyeglass and contact lens measurements. This AI-driven layer is the enhanced factor—the bonus factor—that helps patients exceed the 20/20 mark, often achieving even better visual outcomes. It’s a merging of laser science and artificial intelligence, and it’s incredibly powerful.
PHM: Does this help with candidacy?
Dr. Dello Russo: Because of this technology, it works for a huge percentage of patients. It also expands candidacy for some people. The advanced testing model can include more candidates, and it’s helpful for different ages to make sure the treatment lasts. High-powered computing significantly adds to the quality and quantity of vision, as well as the longevity of results.
PHM: You mentioned age. Who qualifies?
Dr. Dello Russo: We generally start screening around age 18 and up. There’s no real upper age limit, but you do need a stable prescription. The software helps determine that. When we talk about results—20/20, 90%, 100%—we’re getting around 80–90% of people into 20/15. And there are even levels past that. Most people only know 20/20, but vision can exceed that. The important thing is that people can now see better than what was previously possible. It’s taking visual performance to a new level.
PHM: Some people hear ‘Artificial Intelligence’ and automatically think robots. Is this robotic surgery?
Dr. Dello Russo: No. This is not a robot doing the procedure. Although in tons of fields there is robotic surgery being done, that’s got nothing to do with this. I’m still doing the procedure, but in a very predictable, safe way, adding on that previously unmeasurable component. So it’s a measurement matter, and that gets translated. All those extra data points get put into the treatment pattern, computer-derived, so there’s nothing to be fearful of. It’s not going to go rogue. We still know what we’re treating.
PHM: So this is still LASIK, not something entirely new?
Dr. Dello Russo: It’s important to understand that this isn’t a brand-new procedure—it’s still LASIK, but enhanced. It adds an additional quality factor. It brings personalization. No two measurements in the system are the same because it constructs a custom model for each patient and tests all those treatments. Nothing like this could have existed before, which makes it exciting.
PHM: Is reassurance is a major benefit?
Dr. Dello Russo: You want to know you’re going to get a superior outcome. It’s not just the convenience factor now, although I got rid of my glasses and contacts. It’s very reassuring to know when I’m talking to the patient and say, ‘Look, I know you’re going to get 20/20 or better.’ I’m able to stand behind that and know that will happen. It adds that confidence factor on both sides of the table, doctor and patient.
PHM: How soon do patients see results?
Dr. Dello Russo: It can take a couple of hours for the laser energy to settle. But people lift up their heads off the table seeing. So that part’s the same. Typically, by the next day, the real appreciation factor sets in.
PHM: Where do you see this technology heading?
Dr. Dello Russo: I think it will continue to have an enhancing role. I don’t know the limits of it. But five or six years ago, I don’t think we thought we’d have this. So I won’t speculate about the limits of it. Where we can go past 2025, I don’t know, but we’ll have to stay tuned and see.
Nicole DeMarcello recently underwent the WaveLight Plus AI-Assisted LASIK procedure with Dr. Jeff DelloRusso, whose family legacy includes one of the earliest pioneers of LASIK surgery in the United States. After researching the technology, costs, and expected outcomes, she felt confident and excited to place her vision in
Dr. Dello Russo’s hands. We met with her both before and after her procedure to capture the full experience.
“I’ve been wanting to do this for years. Several members of my family had LASIK and loved their results,” said DeMarcello, an elementary school teacher who relies heavily on her glasses.
“I can’t see anything without them. I just want to be able to watch TV or read the clock on the wall without reaching and fumbling for my glasses.”
Moments after the procedure DeMarcello said she lifted her head, and Dr. DelloRusso asked, “Do you see the clock on the wall?” Much to her delight DeMarcello excitedly said, “Six-thirty!”
Her eyesight now measures at a perfect 20/20. "This just changed my life," she told Preferred Health Magazine. "From start to finish, everything went smoothly. Dr. Jeff made me feel safe and comfortable throughout the process. It has been so surreal waking up in the morning and being able to see everything and not have to look for 30 minutes to find my glasses. I couldn't be happier."
To learn more about WaveLight Plus or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jeff Dello Russo and his team visit
www.Dellorussolaservision.com or call today at +1 855-646-2020. The office of Dello Russo Laser Vision has eight locations conveniently located throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
