LASIK News
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Study: Method of flap creation doesn't affect LASIK visual outcomes
Aug 8, 2007
Everyone wants to see well after LASIK surgery. LASIK candidates and surgeons alike are interested in determining which surgical tools and techniques provide the best visual outcomes.
There's been much discussion regarding whether patients see better after an "all-laser" LASIK experience, where the corneal flap is created with an IntraLase femtosecond (FS) laser, or when they have a traditional LASIK procedure where the flap is created with a bladed, or "mechanical," microkeratome.
According to a recent Mayo Clinic College of Medicine study, there's no significant difference.
Study design
Twenty-one (21) patients received LASIK for myopia or myopic astigmatism, with one eye having the corneal flap created with an IntraLase FS laser (IntraLase Corp.) and the other eye having the flap created with a mechanical microkeratome (model: Bausch & Lomb Hansatome).
The patients were examined at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. Key measurements included: corneal haze (backscattered light), visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity. At the 3-month visit, patients were also asked which eye was seeing better (compared to the other).
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Results
There were no significant differences in visual acuity or contrast sensitivity between laser-flap eyes and the microkeratome-flap eyes at any of the post-operative exams.
Corneal haze was 6% greater in the laser-flap eyes at one month after surgery, but it did not produce a perceptible change in vision. There was no difference in corneal haze between the laser-flap eyes and the microkeratome-flap eyes at 3 months or 6 months after surgery.
When asked which eye was seeing better at 3 months after surgery:
5 patients preferred the laser-flap eye.
7 patients preferred the microkeratome-flap eye.
9 patients had no preference.
Conclusions
The researchers concluded that the method of flap creation during LASIK surgery did not affect visual outcomes during the first 6 months after surgery.
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Alcon to purchase laser vision correction rival WaveLight
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Alcon, owner of the LADAR6000 laser platform for LASIK and other laser vision correction procedures, intends to acquire Germany-based rival WaveLight AG through a friendly takeover for about $90 million in cash, plus the assumption of about $30 million in WaveLight debt, according to Alcon.
The sale will enhance Alcon's position in the laser vision correction market and create the second-largest laser refractive surgery franchise in the world.
WaveLight's flagship product, the Allegretto Wave excimer laser operates at 400 Hz, or about four times faster than Alcon's competing LADAR6000 excimer laser platform. (Faster lasers make the LASIK experience shorter and thereby more comfortable for patients, and may improve outcomes.)
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At 400 Hz, WaveLight's Allegretto excimer laser offers the fastest ablation speed on the market today, according to a June 2007 report from Wachovia Capital Markets. Allegretto Wave has also been the fastest-growing excimer laser platform over the past two years, according to the report.
There are currently more than 800 Allegretto Wave lasers installed globally. The company also recently unveiled a new laser — not yet approved in the United States — that will operate 25% faster, at 500 Hz (500 laser pulses per second).
The acquisition of WaveLight may help Alcon recover LASIK and laser vision correction market share that it lost earlier this year when it was forced to recall a key feature of its LADAR6000 excimer laser platform. In May, Alcon deactivated two algorithms (computerized treatment programs) used on over 100 LADAR6000 excimer lasers because of errors in the ablation software that could produce corneal abnormalities known as central islands.
Alcon says it will continue to support its LADAR6000 excimer laser platform. Currently there are approximately 350 Alcon LADAR excimer lasers installed worldwide.
In 2006, Alcon reported total sales of $4.9 billion and net earnings of $1.3 billion.
Lasik University
Alcon, owner of the LADAR6000 laser platform for LASIK and other laser vision correction procedures, intends to acquire Germany-based rival WaveLight AG through a friendly takeover for about $90 million in cash, plus the assumption of about $30 million in WaveLight debt, according to Alcon.
The sale will enhance Alcon's position in the laser vision correction market and create the second-largest laser refractive surgery franchise in the world.
WaveLight's flagship product, the Allegretto Wave excimer laser operates at 400 Hz, or about four times faster than Alcon's competing LADAR6000 excimer laser platform. (Faster lasers make the LASIK experience shorter and thereby more comfortable for patients, and may improve outcomes.)
Lasik University
At 400 Hz, WaveLight's Allegretto excimer laser offers the fastest ablation speed on the market today, according to a June 2007 report from Wachovia Capital Markets. Allegretto Wave has also been the fastest-growing excimer laser platform over the past two years, according to the report.
There are currently more than 800 Allegretto Wave lasers installed globally. The company also recently unveiled a new laser — not yet approved in the United States — that will operate 25% faster, at 500 Hz (500 laser pulses per second).
The acquisition of WaveLight may help Alcon recover LASIK and laser vision correction market share that it lost earlier this year when it was forced to recall a key feature of its LADAR6000 excimer laser platform. In May, Alcon deactivated two algorithms (computerized treatment programs) used on over 100 LADAR6000 excimer lasers because of errors in the ablation software that could produce corneal abnormalities known as central islands.
Alcon says it will continue to support its LADAR6000 excimer laser platform. Currently there are approximately 350 Alcon LADAR excimer lasers installed worldwide.
In 2006, Alcon reported total sales of $4.9 billion and net earnings of $1.3 billion.
Lasik University
FDA Grants Mixed Astigmatism Approval to WaveLight
STERLING, Va., April 2007 — A new U.S Food and Drug Administration approval means WaveLight's Allegretto Wave Eye-Q excimer Laser System for wavefront-guided LASIK and other procedures now can be used to treat mixed astigmatism of up to 6.00 diopters.
A company statement says the FDA has granted four approvals in the past year, enabling an expanded range of vision correction treatments for the excimer laser, including up to -7.00 diopters of nearsightedness.
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Older People Undergoing LASIK Can Achieve Good Outcomes
CHICAGO, April 2007 — Older individuals undergoing LASIK can achieve positive outcomes, along with a good safety profile, says a University of Illinois at Chicago study. Adjustments were made in vision corrections to compensate for differences in the way the eye's clear front surface (cornea) heals in people 40 or older, said investigator and study co-author Dimitri Azar, MD. "We are seeing an increasing demand for LASIK surgery for older adults, who present special challenges," Azar said. The study involved 710 consecutive laser eye surgeries in 424 people between 40 and 69. In all groups studied, 91% to 97% achieved 20/40 uncorrected vision for nearsightedness. But Azar said presbyopia, which affects near vision in older people, is a special problem. One solution is monovision, when one eye is corrected for near vision and the other for distance.
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Some of the Risks of LASIK
Hi All, Here are a few Lasik Risks anyone condidering Lasik should be aware of.
Lasik University
LASIK risks include a variety of complications, and generally resemble the risks taken with any surgery. Many LASIK risks are directly related to the skill and experience of the operating surgeon, including LASIK risks such as under- or over-treatment, vision loss, and complications like haloes or poor night vision.
LASIK risks, while occurring in the minority of LASIK operations (and generally short-lived) are worth considering. Some LASIK risks are serious and can be permanent, such as blindness. Patients with pre-existing conditions have more LASIK risks and all patients should be screened for conditions such as severe astigmatism that can increase LASIK risks. Patients who suspect that they may have higher odds for certain types of LASIK risks should consult their physicians well before the surgery takes place.
Prospective patients should discuss all LASIK risks with their physician and learn as much as possible about various LASIK risks before they commit to the surgery. Understanding the short and long term implications of various LASIK risks is a must for anyone considering the surgery. A qualified LASIK provider can explain LASIK risks and the ways to limit them, and help patients understand the LASIK risks that they may be most susceptible to personally.
Lasik University
Lasik University
LASIK risks include a variety of complications, and generally resemble the risks taken with any surgery. Many LASIK risks are directly related to the skill and experience of the operating surgeon, including LASIK risks such as under- or over-treatment, vision loss, and complications like haloes or poor night vision.
LASIK risks, while occurring in the minority of LASIK operations (and generally short-lived) are worth considering. Some LASIK risks are serious and can be permanent, such as blindness. Patients with pre-existing conditions have more LASIK risks and all patients should be screened for conditions such as severe astigmatism that can increase LASIK risks. Patients who suspect that they may have higher odds for certain types of LASIK risks should consult their physicians well before the surgery takes place.
Prospective patients should discuss all LASIK risks with their physician and learn as much as possible about various LASIK risks before they commit to the surgery. Understanding the short and long term implications of various LASIK risks is a must for anyone considering the surgery. A qualified LASIK provider can explain LASIK risks and the ways to limit them, and help patients understand the LASIK risks that they may be most susceptible to personally.
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