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Doctors have been routinely treating nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism with incisional procedures such as Radial Keratotomy and Astigmatic Keratotomy for over 25 years. By the early 1980s, they began looking at lasers to improve the precision and predictability of altering the shape of the cornea. Researchers found that IBM's new Excimer laser, used initially for etching computer chips, had medical applications as well. Now in its second decade of use, the technologically advanced Excimer laser has added a tremendous amount of precision, control and safety to treating nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
Its ability to remove corneal tissue with accuracy up to 0.25 microns (0.00004 of an inch) with each pulse makes the Excimer laser so well suited for correcting vision. Often, only 50 microns of tissue (about the thickness of a human hair) are removed to achieve the proper amount of correction.
Excimer laser breaks molecular layers
The Excimer laser produces a "cool" light beam that does not damage surrounding tissue. High-energy photons from the laser break the molecular bonds a few layers a time.
The Excimer laser does not
damage surrounding tissue
We have evaluated all of the excimer lasers and have determined what we believe to be the best. The VISX Star S4 with Iris Registration and Custom Vue provides a precise, unique and detailes analysis and treatment resulting in the best personal vision. The VISX Star S4 uses the Wavefront Diagnostic Technology for VISX CustomVue treatment smoothing out tiny imperfections in your vision to reduce glare and halos to improve night vision. For more information click here or here
Additionally, Spivack Vision Center uses the Intralase infrared laser. The Intralase FS technology creates the corneal flap, the first step in the LASIK procedure, with computer controlled accuracy. The decision to incorporate the Intralase, for an all laser LASIK procedure, is made with the doctor and the patient.