Laser Technology Options for LASIK Surgery

Although VISX lasers are the most commonly used technology among ophthalmologists for LASIK procedures, they are not the only laser system in use, nor necessarily the best. This article compares the specifications and certifications of lasers used by ophthalmologists.

VISX Star 4

VISX Star 4 is the fourth Excimer laser from VISX approved for use in LASIK corrective vision surgery. With the addition of the CustomVue treatment using Wavefront technology, VISX Star 4 is among the most accurate surgical lasers in use today. Wavefront technology is VISX's diagnostic tool for accurately measuring the shape of the corneas. Using Fourier transform algorithms, the Wavefront system creates a very accurate model of the cornea and the reshaping necessary for complete vision correction. According to VISX, over 94% of the population needing vision correction for hyperopia (farsightedness) or myopia (nearsightedness) can get completely accurate vision correction with Wavefront-guided VISX Star 4 laser treatment. The VISX Star 4 laser then ablates the cornea according to the model constructed by the Wavefront software. In addition, the Wavefront software models how patients see point sources of light to minimize the glare and fuzziness people sometimes see when driving at night after LASIK treatment.

The only real down side of the VISX system is that it does not correct vision for patients with higher-order aberrations, which can cause vision problems such as glare and halos, and for high myopic astigmatism, the astigmatism actually increased following CustomVue treatment.

LADARVision

LADARVision is another brand of Excimer laser approved by the FDA for LASIK laser vision correction. As a counterpoint to VISX's CustomVue treatment, LADARVision offers CustomCornea. Similarly, LADARWave is a cornea-mapping system similar to Wavefront in all respects. LADARVision treats all forms of vision defects treated by the VISX Star 4 laser, with the addition of higher-order aberrations. While the VISX system has been shown to be either ineffective or harmful for higher-order aberrations, the LADARVision system has been approved to treat these deviations from perfect vision.

Bausch & Lomb Zyoptix Technolas 217z

Bausch & Lomb's Zyoptix system purports to be a personalized vision correction system. The system measures the imperfections in the eye and comes up with a precise, computer-controlled laser to ablate the surface of the cornea, providing 20/20 or better vision in 91.5% of all patients. Like the LADARVision and VISX system, the Zyoptix system has an eye-tracking routine that prevents the procedure from being impaired by the reflexive eye movements of the patient. It is also approved to treat higher-order aberrations, like the LADARVision system. Recently, this system was also approved for use in treating mixed astigmatism.

Of these three lasers most commonly used for LASIK treatments, then, it seems the only one that suffers from any significant defect is the VISX system, and then only if you are suffering from higher-order aberrations in your cornea. When you consult with your ophthalmologist about your LASIK treatment, make sure and ask him or her about higher-order aberrations and make sure you are receiving a treatment than can address your particular vision problems.