The excimer laser is remarkably precise - here it has etched a human hair
In all-laser Wavefront Lasik a thin flap is made on the surface of the cornea with a femtosecond laser by focusing thousands of tiny laser spots inside the cornea, the spots joining to create a perfect continuous cut. The flap is lifted and the cornea tissue underneath reshaped with an excimer laser. This laser emits short wavelength ultraviolet light that has the property of breaking the bonds between the molecules of the cornea. The excimer laser reshapes the cornea, altering its focusing power to correct the eye’s refractive error. For example in short sight the cornea is flattened to reduce its power. Lasik is quick and visual recovery painless and rapid. It treats short and long sight, astigmatism and wavefront abnormalities and sometimes reading glasses. Your lasers – reassuringly sophisticated . . .
1. In Lasik a flap is made 2. Laser reshapes the cornea under the flap. The flap is replaced and adopts the new shape.
Wavefront Lasek is an advanced surface laser treatment. No flap is created. Instead the fine surface layer of the cornea is loosened and folded back. Excimer laser is applied to the cornea underneath to reshape it and the surface layer is then replaced. Lasek is simpler than Lasik as no initial flap is required. It is ideal for smaller prescriptions and people with thinner corneas, although the eye may be uncomfortable for a few days afterward and visual recovery is slower than with Lasik. Lasek treats short and long sight, astigmatism and wavefront abnormalities and sometimes reading glasses.
In Lasek laser is applied to the surface of the cornea to reshape it. The fine surface layer (dark area) is then repositioned
This lady consulted me in 2009. She was short sighted with some astigmatism. Her glasses prescription was right eye: -2.50/-0.25×180 and left eye: -2.25/-0.75×180. She had bilateral Lasik with the Ziemer LDV femtosecond laser for flap creation followed by the Wavelight Concerto excimer laser customised using the Wavefront Optimised platform, for maximum quality of vision.
She says:
I had been to see two Laser Clinics before being referred to Simon Levy by a colleague. Simon was extremely professional and knowledgeable and I felt at ease straightaway.
Meeting and discussing my surgery with the same consultant that performed the surgery was essential for me and something that no-one else could offer. I knew exactly what was going to be done on the day, how I would feel and what to expect afterwards.
It is now over a year since I had my treatment and my eye sight is still perfect – I am delighted with the results!
Wendy Beazley