What Kind of Laser is Used for LASIK

1. What Kind of Laser is Used for LASIK? After the FDA approved LASIK eye surgery and labeled it safe, millions of people with refractive eye problems have undergone the procedure. But how much do people know about LASIK procedure? LASIK uses lasers to correct eye defects and improve vision, but what kind of laser is used during the LASIK procedure? Understanding the Different Types of Excimer Lasers Used for Lasik LASIK is a laser refractive surgery that uses excimer lasers to reshape the cornea or correct refractive eye errors. Over the years, the lasers used for LASIK have vastly improved, improving the procedure's effectiveness. However, each type of laser has a unique pattern on the eye. The common types of modern excimer lasers are; Slit Scanning Lasers They are lasers that use small beams. The laser is linked to a rotational device with slit holes, hence the name slit scanning lasers. These slit holes slowly enlarge to increase the ablation zone. Slit scanning lasers produce smoother treatments compared to the traditional broad-beam lasers. However, the surgeon using these lasers needs to be highly experienced since a slight error could lead to decentered ablation or overcorrection. Spot Scanning Lasers These are the most popular lasers during LASIK surgery. They are also referred to as "flying-spot" lasers and use small-diameter laser beams. Spot scanning laser is used to treat irregular astigmatism since it allows customized treatments. Additionally, they produce smooth corneal treatments and are preferred for patients with astigmatism. Wave front-Guided Lasers

2. These are excimer lasers that are connected to a wavefront device. The eye surgeon uses the device to see how light travels through your eye to detect any effects in your eye's optical system. Wavefront-guided treatments often combine spot and slit scanning lasers. The surgeon uses the wavefront device to customize a LASIK treatment plan depending on your unique optical needs. How Excimer Lasers Work Excimer lasers work easily- the laser emits a cool beam of UV light at a specific wavelength. The UV light is directed to the cornea to remove the corneal tissue. Once the surface of your cornea is reshaped correctly, light rays can focus on the retina, enhancing your vision. Lasers are effective since the UV light they radiate can penetrate a negligible amount of the cornea surface and remove 0.25 microns each time. Therefore, excimer lasers effectively correct eye challenges like nearsightedness and farsightedness. To correct nearsightedness, the laser flattens the cornea, while to correct farsightedness, the laser makes the cornea steeper. Excimer lasers are also effective in correcting astigmatism. They smooth the irregular cornea in a more symmetrical shape, rectifying the defect. Usually, when your surgeon uses an excimer laser during LASIK, they control the lasers using computer settings. They program the computer to correct a specific refractive error. Your surgeon will feed your cornea measurements and desired results for effectiveness. Therefore, the pattern and quantity of tissue removal are unique for everyone, depending on your measurements and eye defects. Is Any Laser Superior? We have reviewed the common excimer lasers used during LASIK. However, there isn't any laser that is superior to others. The best laser for you will depend on different factors—for example, your eye defects, current vision prescription, degree of refractive error.

3. The thickness of your cornea and the size of your pupil will also determine the best laser for you. After scheduling a consultation, your eye surgeon will analyze all these factors and advice on which laser to use. Do You Know If You Are a LASIK Candidate? Before deciding to sign up for a LASIK procedure, your ophthalmologist will consider several factors to determine if you are a good fit. Contact us today for a consultation to determine if you are a good LASIK candidate.