Which Laser is Best?

The newest FDA-approved laser technology includes Bausch & Lomb, VISX and All Laser LASIK with Intralase®. Depending upon the type of vision correction that you need and the integrity of your eyes, your LASIK eye surgeon will decide on the best laser refractive surgery technique and the best type of technology with which to perform it.

Traditional and Custom LASIK

The two main types of laser platforms are:

1. Traditional laser vision correction and
2. Custom LASIK

The main difference between traditional and custom LASIK is that in custom LASIK, the surgeon uses a WaveFront analyzer - originally invented by NASA for use in high-powered telescopes. The WaveFront analyzer produces a sophisticated treatment map of your corneas, like a fingerprint, and is 25 times more precise than standard measurements. Your customized date is transferred electronically to the laser that will be used in your LASIK procedure. Custom LASIK, with WaveFront technology, uses the most advanced technology in the industry. Treatment and recovery time are typically the same as traditional LASIK.

Excimer Lasers

During traditional laser vision correction surgery, excimer lasers smoothly sculpt the corneal surface. This technology provides extreme degrees of precision and predictability. The excimer laser actually reshapes the cornea by emitting cool pulses of invisible ultraviolet light, which is absorbed in the surface cells of the eye, allowing the surface tissues to be reshaped. The cool light produces virtually no damage to surrounding tissue.

Excimer lasers are typically classified as broad beam or flying spot technology.

Broad Beam Technology - A broad beam laser projects a single beam onto your cornea, all at once. The singular, cool beam of UV light evaporates corneal cells and reshapes your cornea according to your surgeons plan. Broad Beam lasers are considered a solid "base-standard" in laser vision correction.

Flying Spot Technology - "Flying spot", the newest generation of lasers, refers to the self-aiming, multiple pulse laser system, that allows for larger treatment zones. A "flying spot" laser treats one small spot of the corneal treatment zone at a time, and then "flies" to the next treatment area. The cool beams are pulsed in very small, non-overlapping spots over the treatment zone, following a pattern controlled by the laser's computer.

During your initial visit with your LASIK surgeon, he or she will conduct a thorough eye examination and ask you questions about your general health. At this meeting, you should also ask the doctor questions regarding your specialized treatment plan including the costs of LASIK surgery. This should include post-surgical check-ups and the cost of any possible enhancement surgery that might be needed.

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