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Laser Vision Correction (LVC)
Ophthalmic surgeons have been performing refractive laser surgery for the treatment of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism in the past decades. This life altering procedure helps patients reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses and contact lenses. Thousands of ophthalmologists and optometrists around the world have become so impressed with the results of laser vision correction that over one million procedures are now performed every year.
Due to growing demand for laser vision correction, many laser manufacturers and surgeons have made tremendous leaps in Excimer laser technology and surgical techniques. When laser vision correction was first performed in the 80's, only low to moderately nearsighted patients without astigmatism could be treated. Today's newer generation Excimer lasers can correct vision that would have been denied by previous lasers by using an innovative technology.
What is an excimer laser?
An excimer laser is a precise computerized instrument that uses invisible ultra-violet light to ablate the cornea during refractive surgery. This cool light laser produces virtually no damage to the surrounding tissue, increasing its safety. Each pulse of the laser removes only a minute amount of corneal tissue — about 1/500th of the thickness of a human hair.
Problem with broad beam excimer lasers
First and second generation excimer lasers use a broad beam (about 6 mm in diameter) with an aperture that controls the amount of the beam that is exposed to the eye during any single pulse. A patient's inadvertent saccadic eye movements may affect the treatment's outcome with a broad beam laser, possibly even causing an eccentric (decentered) treatment.
Newer generation excimer lasers
Newer generation excimer lasers, such as VISX S4 Excimer Laser utilize an innovative technology called a "flying spot laser." A narrow beam (about 2 mm wide) contacts the eye at lightning speed in a pattern that allows the debris to clear in one place before contacting that area again. Unlike the broad beam, the full width of the flying spot beam is exposed to the cornea during every pulse. This technology produces a smoother corneal shape and helps increase the accuracy and efficacy of the surgery.
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