Everything You Need to Know about Today’s Most Advanced LASIK Lasers

Vision correction lasers have only become more advanced in recent years. Here’s how they can help you enjoy lifelong improvements to your vision.

As the acronym suggests, LASIK surgery is performed with specialized lasers that modify the eye. During the procedure, a surgeon uses these lasers to carefully reshape the cornea, correcting common vision problems like nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism in the process.

Since receiving FDA approval in the early 1990s, LASIK has been one of the safest elective procedures available. Thanks to some major advances in laser technology, it’s only become safer in recent years, helping surgeons provide an even greater number of patients with lasting improvements to their vision.

In this guide, we’ll walk you offer a quick rundown of some of the most common excimer lasers on the market and explain how they can benefit you.

Life on the Cutting Edge

As noted above, LASIK procedures make use of “excimer” lasers to reshape the surface of the cornea. In nearsighted patients, the lasers are used to flatten the cornea; in farsighted patients, they’re used to steepen its surface. In either case, the restructured cornea soon begins to refract light so that it properly focuses on the retina.

While LASIK is still a relatively young procedure, the technology used in procedures has evolved dramatically in recent years. From automated eye-tracking capabilities to bladeless lasers, advances have made LASIK more accurate and efficient than ever. Today, there are dozens of FDA-approved LASIK and refractive surgery lasers on the market, including:

• The IntraLase IFS, a semiautomated, blade-free laser used to make exact incisions in particularly sensitive eyes
• The NIDEK Advanced EC-5000 NAVEX Laser, which features a corneal topography system that guides the laser
• The VISX S4 Wavefront Laser, a specialized instrument specifically designed for patients with thinner corneas

These tools enable surgeons to operate with even greater precision and further minimize the already low risk of surgical complications. Since many of the lasers are designed to handle more sensitive eyes, they’ve also enabled eye clinics to offer their services to an even greater audience, making laser eye surgery an even more accessible solution.

Making the Right Decision

As sophisticated as laser eye surgery has become, it’s still a major medical decision that every patient should thoroughly consider. If you’re wondering whether laser eye surgery is right for you, the first step is to speak with a qualified eye specialist as soon as possible.

As experts on excimer laser technology, Swagel Wootton Eye Institute is committed to helping every patient enjoy a life of clear vision. We offer all patients a complimentary consultation during which we thoroughly evaluate your eyes with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and determine the best course of treatment for you, all on a payment plan that suits your budget.

Since we’re proud owners of some of today’s top laser technologies, including the new Catalys, the NIDEK EC-5000 Tracking Laser, the VISX Star 3 Laser, and the VISX Wavefront Laser, we’re able to pass additional savings on to you. Schedule an appointment with us today at our Mesa or Chandler locations to explore your options!