Laser Eye Surgery Articles                

   The Excimer Laser...........................23rd December 2009

You have decided to undergo Lasik surgery to improve your vision. You have researched your existing eye problem, checked out an eye institute or two, looked into the methods employed during Lasik procedures and have found a reputable, skilled and experienced surgeon.

During the course of your research you have come across a laser referred to as an Excimer Laser.

There are several types of Excimer Lasers used for Lasik surgery in various eye institutes.

As you will have discovered the Excimer is the laser which treats the eye surface after the corneal flap has been created. In conventional Lasik surgery, the flap is created using a piece of equipment called a microkeratome, but it is the Excimer Laser which actually treats the eye surface ablating corneal tissue.

IntraLase is a very modern method of treatment for Lasik surgery and this involves the use of two lasers, the first one actually creates the corneal flap and this laser is a Femtosecond Laser but it is the Excimer Laser that treats the corneal surface effecting the necessary ablations.

There are different types of Excimer Lasers, one of which is the slit scanning laser. This laser employs rather small beams which are linked to a rotating device that has slit holes that enlarge.

The beams scan over the holes during the procedure producing a slowly expanding ablation zone. This method obtains a uniform beam which produces smoother ablations, however, there is a risk of complication if an eye-tracker is not being used.

The spot scanning laser is most commonly used in eye institutes. Tiny diameter laser beams are scanned across the cornea producing the ablation zone. This laser too is capable or producing smooth ablations.

With Wavefront guided lasers Excimer Lasers are connected to a device which is able to detect and map defects in the optical system.

This mapping process is guided on the way light waves progress through the eye. The Wavefront guides the way the cornea is reshaped achieving a custom Lasik ablation.

This mapping process is also capable of detecting, as well as dealing, with irregularities once the map created individually for you has been programmed into the computer system that operates during Lasik surgery.

Most Excimer Lasers have automatic eye tracking which keeps the laser beam exactly where the surgeon intends it to go. It has been established that eye trackers have better results and decrease Lasik complications compared to older model lasers without eye tracking.

Of course, the most important person involved in your Lasik surgery will be the surgeon - the laser equipment is only as good as the person using it.

You must bear in mind that there is a certain amount of risk involved with any surgical procedure so when you have your initial consultation at the eye institute, be as honest as you can about your general health and any medication you take.

Certain criteria has to be met before Lasik surgery can be performed and your consultant eye surgeon will use his judgement following a thorough examination of your eyes and listening to your comments regarding your health to decide whether or not you are actually suitable for this sort of procedure.