Learn the Latest on Lasik Technology Used in Lasik Eye Surgeries
Monica Keller asked:
We live in a time of seemingly endless innovation and rapid technological progress. It is hard enough to keep up on the latest e-mail filters and cell phone video cameras, much less such specialized medical procedures as LASIK eye surgery.
But if you are considering laser vision correction of any kind—the popular and effective LASIK procedure or, if you are not a good candidate for that, an alternative such as LASEK or PRK—then it is no longer just a matter of passing interest. It is your responsibility to be an informed, prepared patient for any kind of surgery, so you need to learn the latest on LASIK technology used in LASIK eye surgeries as part of that preparation.
The best doctors and clinics want to ensure the very best possible results for their LASIK eye surgery patients, which often means having not one but several different kinds of equipment. There are technologies that are more appropriate for some patient conditions than others, which is why many practices are equipped with several examples of the latest equipment available.
There are at least five or six kinds of laser eye surgery equipment being used widely in the field today, and others are being developed all the time. Medical research and technology continues to make breakthroughs that improve and maintain people’s quality of life, and the last few years have been particularly good ones for advances in LASIK treatment.
The VISX® Star S4™ laser, according to many of its proponents, brings a new standard of accuracy to laser vision correction with a combination of two different systems known as Variable Spot Scanning and 3D ActiveTrak®. With a laser calibrated to .25 microns, this hybrid system offers astonishing precision, and can treat many borderline conditions that were once beyond the scope of other technologies. (For comparison, human hairs are 60-80 microns in diameter.)
CustomVue™ systems match a specially created profile (again, a kind of “fingerprint”) of your vision to an “ideal” optical system. Once again using the VISX® Star S4™ laser, this profile data ensures precise, uniquely personalized LASIK eye surgery. If you are one of the particular LASIK patients who qualify for this kind of procedure, CustomVue™ allows the surgeon to eliminate microscopic flaws in your vision that cannot be corrected with either glasses or contact lenses.
One of the newest developments on the LASIK eye surgery scene is the IntraLase® laser. It uses a special technology and method for creating the corneal flap required in laser vision correction surgery. Replacing a standard metal blade, the IntraLase® laser produces a very precise flap.
We live in a time of seemingly endless innovation and rapid technological progress. It is hard enough to keep up on the latest e-mail filters and cell phone video cameras, much less such specialized medical procedures as LASIK eye surgery.
But if you are considering laser vision correction of any kind—the popular and effective LASIK procedure or, if you are not a good candidate for that, an alternative such as LASEK or PRK—then it is no longer just a matter of passing interest. It is your responsibility to be an informed, prepared patient for any kind of surgery, so you need to learn the latest on LASIK technology used in LASIK eye surgeries as part of that preparation.
The best doctors and clinics want to ensure the very best possible results for their LASIK eye surgery patients, which often means having not one but several different kinds of equipment. There are technologies that are more appropriate for some patient conditions than others, which is why many practices are equipped with several examples of the latest equipment available.
There are at least five or six kinds of laser eye surgery equipment being used widely in the field today, and others are being developed all the time. Medical research and technology continues to make breakthroughs that improve and maintain people’s quality of life, and the last few years have been particularly good ones for advances in LASIK treatment.
The VISX® Star S4™ laser, according to many of its proponents, brings a new standard of accuracy to laser vision correction with a combination of two different systems known as Variable Spot Scanning and 3D ActiveTrak®. With a laser calibrated to .25 microns, this hybrid system offers astonishing precision, and can treat many borderline conditions that were once beyond the scope of other technologies. (For comparison, human hairs are 60-80 microns in diameter.)
CustomVue™ systems match a specially created profile (again, a kind of “fingerprint”) of your vision to an “ideal” optical system. Once again using the VISX® Star S4™ laser, this profile data ensures precise, uniquely personalized LASIK eye surgery. If you are one of the particular LASIK patients who qualify for this kind of procedure, CustomVue™ allows the surgeon to eliminate microscopic flaws in your vision that cannot be corrected with either glasses or contact lenses.
One of the newest developments on the LASIK eye surgery scene is the IntraLase® laser. It uses a special technology and method for creating the corneal flap required in laser vision correction surgery. Replacing a standard metal blade, the IntraLase® laser produces a very precise flap.
Wavefront Lasik May Be the Superior Lasik Eye Surgery Procedure
Chris Crowe asked:
Wavefront Lasik is called by some a slightly better procedure than the traditional lasik eye surgery operation. Also called custom wavefront lasik, this procedure is more precise than other procedures
because it maps corneal irregularities before the surgery begins.
This means that the wavefront lasik procedure (which is also more expensive) is more attuned to the actual eye it is being performed on. With a detailed map of the specific eye, in theory the procedure can be more effective in solving the particular vision deficiencies of the patient.
Traditional lasik utilizes a similar way of measuring the eye as when you get fitted for contacts or glasses. For people with minor vision modifications needed, this is fine. But for people with higher order aberrations, they may need a more exact procedure.
Nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism are some of these lower level problems that the normal lasik eye surgery may be used with great effect on. Other problems may require more specialization.
Wavefront lasik eye surgery works in a few steps. First, the doctor shines a light into the eye. A computer inputs the data (which will show any abnormalities in the eye) and analyzes the data. Then a three dimensional model of the eye is created and the laser is put to use.
A beam of laser light then shapes the inside layers of your cornea to replicate the particular prescription the patient has in glasses or contacts. In addition, it looks for other repairs that can be made to the eye to improve vision. Wavefront uses more technology–the name is derived from the fact that light waves are used to scan the eye and gather information about the cornea and any necessary vision corrections. Some people have had great outcomes with this surgery.
Some people have trouble with glasses and contacts and just can’t seem to avoid annoying vision problems like glare and the halo-effect of lights at night when they wear glasses. People who just don’t want to deal with glasses and contact lenses also may opt for lasik surgery. It’s very important to talk to qualified physicians about the procedure and be guided by them throughout.
The wavefront lasik procedure can take as little as a half-hour or even shorter, depending on the vision doctor and whatever guidelines he or she follows.
Since the corneal flap that is created is so tiny and is in a high-blood area of the face (the eye) recovery time is very quick. Most doctors recommend lots of fluids and that the patient avoids any kind of eye-straining activities. Reading and even watching television may be considered “too much.”
But even then, the healing process takes only two or three days. Lasik is a procedure that shouldn’t be taken lightly even though the process and the healing seems so quick, relatively painless, and easy. It is always necessary to find a vision specialist you trust and to find advice from people who have undergone the procedure, general basic information about the procedure, and any other information you can find to prepare yourself.
If you are not convinced that one doctor is right, you can always consult others to get a different perspective on your health needs. You only have one pair of eyes–you should take care of them.
Wavefront Lasik is called by some a slightly better procedure than the traditional lasik eye surgery operation. Also called custom wavefront lasik, this procedure is more precise than other procedures
because it maps corneal irregularities before the surgery begins.
This means that the wavefront lasik procedure (which is also more expensive) is more attuned to the actual eye it is being performed on. With a detailed map of the specific eye, in theory the procedure can be more effective in solving the particular vision deficiencies of the patient.
Traditional lasik utilizes a similar way of measuring the eye as when you get fitted for contacts or glasses. For people with minor vision modifications needed, this is fine. But for people with higher order aberrations, they may need a more exact procedure.
Nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism are some of these lower level problems that the normal lasik eye surgery may be used with great effect on. Other problems may require more specialization.
Wavefront lasik eye surgery works in a few steps. First, the doctor shines a light into the eye. A computer inputs the data (which will show any abnormalities in the eye) and analyzes the data. Then a three dimensional model of the eye is created and the laser is put to use.
A beam of laser light then shapes the inside layers of your cornea to replicate the particular prescription the patient has in glasses or contacts. In addition, it looks for other repairs that can be made to the eye to improve vision. Wavefront uses more technology–the name is derived from the fact that light waves are used to scan the eye and gather information about the cornea and any necessary vision corrections. Some people have had great outcomes with this surgery.
Some people have trouble with glasses and contacts and just can’t seem to avoid annoying vision problems like glare and the halo-effect of lights at night when they wear glasses. People who just don’t want to deal with glasses and contact lenses also may opt for lasik surgery. It’s very important to talk to qualified physicians about the procedure and be guided by them throughout.
The wavefront lasik procedure can take as little as a half-hour or even shorter, depending on the vision doctor and whatever guidelines he or she follows.
Since the corneal flap that is created is so tiny and is in a high-blood area of the face (the eye) recovery time is very quick. Most doctors recommend lots of fluids and that the patient avoids any kind of eye-straining activities. Reading and even watching television may be considered “too much.”
But even then, the healing process takes only two or three days. Lasik is a procedure that shouldn’t be taken lightly even though the process and the healing seems so quick, relatively painless, and easy. It is always necessary to find a vision specialist you trust and to find advice from people who have undergone the procedure, general basic information about the procedure, and any other information you can find to prepare yourself.
If you are not convinced that one doctor is right, you can always consult others to get a different perspective on your health needs. You only have one pair of eyes–you should take care of them.
