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All-Laser LASIK

Since LASIK became a household word in the late 90s, advances in technology have exceeded all expectations, with lasers becoming faster, safer and more accurate.

Shapiro Eye Care believes in investing in the latest, most advanced technology, and uses the AllegrettoWave® excimer laser and the Ziemer femtosecond laser to perform All-Laser LASIK.

Three Steps to 20/20 Vision

Step  1

The first step of a LASIK procedure is the creation of the corneal flap, a thin segment of the protective outer layer of the cornea. In the early days of LASIK, an instrument called a microkeratome, a hand-held spinning blade, was used to create the corneal flap. Today, the method of choice for those who seek the best vision correction available is called All-Laser LASIK. Rather than use a blade to make the corneal flap, a special laser called the Ziemer Femotosecond laser is used together with a laser to reshape the cornea.

Ziemer Femtosecond laser

The Ziemer laser creates a flap with pinpoint accuracy in size and thickness by using extremely low density rapid laser pulses. It does it in such a way that the tissue can grow back much faster and stronger than the microkeratome method.

The Z-LASIK Procedure

The Ziemer laser creates a flap with pinpoint accuracy in size and thickness by using extremely low density rapid laser pulses. Once the flap is made, the Allegretto laser is used to correct vision. The entire procedure takes only about 15 minutes from start to finish!

 

Z-LASIK facts

• The safety profile of femtosecond lasers have been demonstrated in over 1 million cases
• The U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps have all approved, and strongly recommend, femtosecond lasers for use on their personnel
• NASA has approved femtosecond lasers for astronauts
• Femtosecond lasers have a track record of enhanced safety
• Z-LASIK is a LASIK procedure performed with the Ziemer FEMTO LDV Femtosecond surgical laser in conjunction with the Allegretto laser.

Step 2

The second step of a LASIK procedure is to reshape the underlying corneal tissue to correct any irregularities. This step is performed using the Allegretto Wave® laser.

Allegretto Wave®

The Allegretto Wave is the most advanced and safest laser system available in the United States. The Allegretto Wave laser can treat up people with nearsightedness up to a -14 and up to 6 diopters of astigmatism. It can also treat up to 6 diopters of farsightedness. It is the only laser approved by the FDA specifically to perform Custom LASIK procedures. Wavefront analysis is programmed directly into the laser itself, which increases the accuracy and safety of the procedure.

Operating at 400 HZ, the Allegretto Wave is one of the fastest excimer laser systems available in the United States and can perform most treatments in 5-6 seconds—in many cases even less.

One of the most innovative features of the Allegretto Wave is the way it uses wavefront-optimized technology to automatically compensate for the curvature of the cornea. In earlier lasers, the “optical zone,” or area of correction was centered on the front of the cornea. The result was a flattened circular area that ended with an abrupt edge, causing unwanted side effects like poor night vision, glare and halos.

The Allegretto Wave changed all that. It sends extra pulses to the peripheral cornea area in order to compensate for the angle of the laser beam. In this manner, the aspherical shape of the cornea is preserved to a degree that older lasers could not achieve. This compensation, combined with the incredibly small, 1mm size of the laser, produces a smooth, effective optical zone that results in high performance vision.

Step 3

Finally, the flap is folded back into place where it bonds quickly. The entire process, from the first step to the last, takes only about 15 minutes. Healing is rapid with all-laser LASIK and most people can return to work the next day.

The actual LASIK procedure takes seconds per eye. You can expect to feel no pain at all, and perhaps just the slightest sensation of pressure. Inserting or removing contact lenses—or just rubbing tired eyes from wearing glasses produces more discomfort than an all-laser LASIK procedure.

With the advanced technology of the Ziemer and Allegretto lasers, more than ever before, laser eye surgery is safe, effective, and immediate. To find out if you are a candidate for LASIK, contact us to schedule a free evaluation.