The 25 years of LASIK’s history have seen huge technological advances, from better surgical and diagnostic equipment to a wider variety of surgical procedures that enable the treatment of more types of vision problems. Before deciding which treatment center to visit for your eye surgery, you have some things to think over. Consider what technology the doctor is using in order to ensure that your procedure is as safe and effective as possible. You should also examine the skill and experience of the doctor performing the surgery.
Wavefront Customization
Traditional LASIK corrects nearsightedness caused by an eye that is too large or too long and farsightedness caused by an eye that is too small or too short. Astigmatism is caused by distortions in the overall shape of the cornea. LASIK works by reshaping corneal tissue, essentially enabling the cornea to more precisely focus the image on the retina. Wavefront allows the surgeon to more thoroughly treat astigmatism and smooth out higher order aberrations—tiny lumps and divots in the surface of the eye that cause a small loss of visual clarity.
Of lasers approved by the FDA, only VISX makes full use of available Wavefront technology. Other systems may use Wavefront diagnostic systems but then match your eye to the closest of various model shapes in the computer rather than providing a truly custom procedure. This is often called “Wavefront optimized” instead of “Wavefront guided” LASIK. Allegretto is “Wavefront optimized” but not “Wavefront guided.” It is important to understand the difference in technology when you research LASIK providers in order to assure that you are getting the very best technology available. These considerations also explain the difference in pricing between the discount providers and more advanced clinics such as Woodhams Eye Clinic.
ActiveTrak 3D Eye Tracking
The VISX Star S4 laser is also the only system that can track the eye’s three-dimensional movement. VISX ActiveTrak tracks eye movement providing the most accurate delivery of treatment and the best possible outcome with LASIK surgery. If you move your eye outside the area that can be tracked, the laser recognizes this and stops the treatment. Once the eye is re-set in the tracker, the laser picks up at the precise place it stopped. Because the treatment takes only seconds, it is unlikely that this will occur. But there are safety measures in place just in case.
While the surgeons at Woodhams Eye Clinic use the VISX Star S4 laser to give patients the best possible outcomes, the skill and discretion of the surgeon are just as important as the laser used. The best laser in the world is only a useful tool if the surgeon operating it knows who is a good candidate for LASIK and who is not.
While the surgeon is the most important factor, it is best to avoid lasers that are temporarily installed. In some LASIK facilities, the laser is brought into the surgical center on a temporary basis. The Bausch and Lomb laser is often used in this manner. It is better to go to a center with permanently installed lasers. These are highly sensitive instruments and require careful calibration for top performance and accuracy.
If you’re considering LASIK, research your surgeon beforehand. Find out how many procedures he has performed and what past patients are saying. Ask questions to ensure you are comfortable with his knowledge, demeanor, and skills. The surgeon should also ask you many questions and perform many tests to ensure that you are a good candidate for surgery. A skilled and experienced surgeon with the VISX Star S4 laser might make the difference between 20/20 vision after your eye surgery and blurry vision.
For questions or comments, contact Woodhams Eye Clinic.
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