about technology FAQ
If you don't see your question or topic addressed here, check with your doctor.
What is an excimer laser?
A laser is a device that uses radiation to produce a highly amplified beam of light. There are many kinds of lasers used in medical procedures. In laser eye surgery, an excimer laser uses energy to carefully reshape the cornea. (An excimer laser beam gets its name from the fact that the molecules used are in an "excited" or very active state.) There are very important differences in the technology employed by various excimer lasers that may affect your choice of vision correction procedure.
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Aren't all the lasers used for laser vision correction the same?
While it's true that all laser systems use laser beams to reshape the cornea of the eye and they must all go through the FDA review process, that's really where the similarities end. Laser systems have real differences in technology. How the systems "track" the eye, the accuracy of corneal shaping, and even the size and shape of the beam can make important differences in the reshaping of the cornea, and in your vision after surgery.
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How accurate are excimer lasers?
Most laser surgery systems have a device that tracks the movements of your eyes, which are constantly in motion. However, not all tracking devices can keep up with involuntary saccadic eye movements. If this happens, these laser surgery systems may not be able to direct the laser beam to the right spot on the cornea. If the tracking device is not accurate, your eye will not have the best vision correction possible. The LADARVision® System is designed to follow and compensate for these movements. In fact, the LADARVision® System tracking device is the only one to receive FDA approval for its ability to improve the accuracy of corneal shaping. Consult with your doctor to see if the LADARVision® laser is the right one for your vision correction needs.
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Why is laser eye tracking so important?
Laser eye tracking is an extremely fast and responsive detection device. It detects eye motion, tracking your eye movements during the procedure, which allows the laser to accurately apply the treatment. A "closed loop" tracking device continuously detects eye movements, and informs the laser system of those movements. The system then uses a mathematical formula to determine precisely where the eye will be before the laser beam hits the cornea. This is why LADARVision® System eye tracking is the only type of tracking FDA-approved to improve the accuracy of corneal shaping.
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What if I move my eyes during the surgery?
There's no way not to move your eyes; they move involuntarily - up to 50 times each second - in saccadic eye movements that you don't notice and can't control. LADARVision® System eye tracking is able to compensate for these movements. The LADARVision® System continuously detects eye movements and informs the laser system of those movements. The system then uses a mathematical formula to determine precisely where the eye will be before the laser beam hits the cornea.
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I heard an ad about one laser doing something 4,000 times per second. What does this mean?
Adapting a tracking concept originally designed for NASA, the LADARVision® System employs an eye tracking device that tracks eye movements 4,000 times a second. That's 15 times faster than any other system. It's more than fast enough to follow, and compensate for, eye movement. In fact, according to FDA labeling, the LADARVision® System is the only one that can "improve the accuracy of corneal shaping."
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What is a LADARWave® device?
The LADARWave® wavefront device is the device your doctor will use to take necessary wavefront measurements as part of your CustomCornea® treatment. These measurements identify common problems with your vision, called aberrations. Many experts believe that some of these aberrations can contribute to problems like glare and halos. The LADARWave® wavefront device works by passing a narrow ray of eye-safe light through the optical system and measuring the optical distortions as the light exits the eye.
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Why is the LADARVision® System the only one that can provide truly customized laser vision correction?
Only the LADARVision® System has all the requirements to provide truly customized treatment. Further, the LADARVision® System has demonstrated to the FDA that it measures and addresses visual problems associated with visual acuity (your quantity of vision), as well as other issues that affect the quality of your vision (its crispness and clarity).
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Will the LADARVision® laser or CustomCornea® treat my particular vision problems?
No matter what your individual prescription or vision problems may be, choosing the right laser vision correction technology is a decision you should make in conjunction with your doctor, based on a current eye exam and detailed knowledge of your circumstances.
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How do I find a LADARVision® laser or a CustomCornea® surgeon in my area?
Choose your doctor carefully. Select a surgeon who willingly answers all your questions, who you feel comfortable with, and who puts you at ease. We've provided some guidelines for choosing your doctor. You can also find a doctor near you that provides CustomCornea®.
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