Surgical Vision Correction Options for Under 40

Excimer Laser Technology

THE EXCIMER LASER is an extremely advanced instrument that is used for surgery on the cornea. It works by producing a computer-guided beam of ultraviolet laser light (193nm) that vaporizes microscopic layers (0.25 microns per pulse) of cornea with each laser pulse. When the laser beam is applied to the cornea in multiple pulses of varying shapes and sizes, a precise, customized new shape is created on the cornea. In effect, the laser beam is able to reshape the cornea custom to an individual’s prescription that will allow the treated eye to focus clearly without relying on a lens on front of the eye to focus the picture.

How precise is the excimer laser?

Each pulse removes 0.25 microns of corneal tissue. A red blood cell is 7 microns in diameter, and a human hair is 50 microns in diameter.

The LADARVision (from the acronym Laser Radar) excimer laser system (manufactured by Alcon) is distinctly different from all other excimer laser systems available today and represents the future of laser vision correction. It combines the first patented eye tracker with unique, small spot shaping. The result is “precision vision."

The LADARVision Tracker Takes the Worry Out of Moving Your Eyes During Surgery:

Our eyes are constantly making small, rapid movements that are beyond our control. Computer simulations have shown that these movements during surgery can affect placement of the laser beam, increasing corneal irregularities. This, in turn, can cause decreased vision.

Now, with the patented LADARVision Active Eye Tracker, patients don’t have to worry about moving their eyes during surgery. The tracker 1) accurately tracks eye movement during surgery (sampling eye movement at 4,000 samples/second), 2) adjusts and realigns itself between each laser pulse, 3) guides the placement of the laser beam with pinpoint accuracy.

The small spot of the LADARVision Excimer Laser (0.85mm in diameter) also provides an advantage in visual outcomes. The small spot which scans the corneal surface is capable of smoothing out tiny irregularities in the corneal surface. Other less advanced lasers have a larger, broad beam (2-6 mm in diameter) that are not capable of creating as smooth of a shape to the cornea. One way to understand the importance of a small spot is that the laser removes or “erases” microscopic layers of corneal tissue with each pulse… a tiny 0.85mm laser beam (pin point eraser) is capable of creating a more exact or fine pattern than a larger broad beam laser (broad eraser). The small spot of the LADARVision laser essentially creates a seamless, smooth shape with thousands of pulses on the corneal surface, like creating pixels on a High Definition TV. A smoother surface is therefore created with the LADARVision laser than the other first generation lasers such as the Summit Apex, VISX or the larger beam of the Nidek laser. A smoother surface equals clearer vision.

Advantages of the LADARVision Excimer Laser System:

1. The FDA approved eye tracker that tracks the movement of the eye 4000 times/second to keep the laser treatment on target through the procedure… Patients can relax while the laser does the work and not have to worry about moving their eyes… There are other excimer lasers with much slower tracking systems used video cameras instead of laser radar technology. These trackers track at a maximum speed of 250 times per second The LADARVision system tracks 16 times faster than the tracking systems in the VISX laser.
2. The precision of small spot laser beam shaping that allows smoother sculpting of the cornea and therefore clearer vision.
3. Larger treatment and “optical zones” to reduce bothersome glare and haloes that other lasers can create more often.
4. The LADARVision excimer laser is the first excimer laser with FDA approval for Customized Wavefront-guided laser vision correction.