Laser Eye Surgery Technology: IntraLase®, VISX STAR S4™, CustomVue™, and More
The doctors and staff at the New England Eye Center are dedicated to helping patients from Massachusetts and New Hampshire achieve the clearest, sharpest vision possible. We are proud to feature the latest in laser eye surgery technology at our Boston-area practice, such as the IntraLase® and VISX STAR S4™ lasers, WaveScan® technology for CustomVue™ treatment, and the Orbscan® II diagnostic system.
IntraLase® Laser
In an effort to ensure that LASIK surgery is as safe as possible for our patients, we utilize the advanced IntraLase® laser. IntraLase® is a technology that is used during the first step of the LASIK process in order to create a corneal flap.
Traditionally, surgeons used a handheld steel device called a microkeratome to create the corneal flap during laser eye surgery. However, using a blade was somewhat unpredictable and resulted in many LASIK-related complications. With the introduction of IntraLase®, a smoother, more uniform corneal flap can be created using a computer-controlled laser — all without the use of a blade. Short, quick pulses of laser energy are delivered to a preprogrammed location on the cornea where they create thousands of microscopic bubbles that link together to form the flap. Because the laser is guided by a computer, it can be programmed with the patient's specific eye data for highly-accurate results.
Utilizing the IntraLase® laser at our practice has revolutionized the LASIK procedure because it gives our surgeons unprecedented control, allowing for safer and more predictable results. With IntraLase®, even patients who didn’t qualify for LASIK in the past, such as those with thin corneas, may now be able to undergo the surgery. In addition, many clinical studies have shown that patients who undergo the IntraLase Method™ during laser eye surgery can achieve 20/20 vision or better. The IntraLase® laser is used during both blade-free LASIK (IntraLASIK) and iLASIK™.
VISX STAR S4™ Excimer Laser
For a highly-precise laser eye surgery experience, our practice uses the VISX STAR S4™ excimer laser system. This advanced laser is used during the second part of the LASIK process, which involves reshaping the cornea.
This complete vision correction system is used together with three-dimensional WaveScan® digital imaging for a completely customized experience. Guided by a computerized image of the eye, the VISX STAR S4™ excimer laser provides precise, personalized treatment for refractive errors. Because treatment is customized, no two procedures are the same. The VISX STAR S4™ laser also uses variable-sized laser beams for quicker and smoother corneal reshaping, which results in faster recovery times and a reduced risk of post-surgical complications.
In addition, the VISX STAR S4™ excimer laser uses ActiveTrack™ iris registration technology for extremely accurate results. ActiveTrack™ allows the laser VISX® laser to track eye movement and automatically positions and aligns the laser beam during the procedure for laser eye surgery results that are 25 times more accurate. The VISX STAR S4™ excimer laser is used during both the CustomVue™ Custom LASIK and iLASIK™ procedures.
WaveScan® for CustomVue™
Our practice uses WaveScan® three-dimensional digital imaging during CustomVue™, Custom LASIK, and iLASIK™ to help deliver extremely precise results. The WaveScan® system creates a WavePrint®, a detailed visual profile of the eye's imperfections. To do this, light rays are projected onto the retina in order to determine how the eye focuses light. These waves are then converted to a digital WavePrint®, which is unique to each individual, much like a fingerprint. Therefore, patients receiving CustomVue™ Custom LASIK can rest assured that their procedure is completely tailored to their specific vision correction needs.
Bausch & Lomb's Orbscan® II
When it comes to determining a patient's candidacy for laser eye surgery, we utilize the Orbscan® II, one of the most sophisticated corneal diagnostic tools available today. The Orbscan® II is used before laser eye surgery to create a topographic map of the eye's surface, which enables the surgeon to detect even the most complex abnormalities that contribute to refractive errors.
The Orbscan® II is more accurate than other diagnostic imaging equipment; it can map data for 9,000 points on the eye in less than two seconds. This helps patients to receive a more customized LASIK experience. It is also the only technology that can measure the thickness of the cornea, which is crucial in determining a patient's ability to undergo laser eye surgery.
Receive High-quality Vision Care Using the Latest Technology at Our Boston-area Practice
At the New England Eye Center, we are dedicated to providing patients with the safest and most accurate laser eye surgery experience possible. If you would like to learn more about the IntraLase® and VISX STAR S4™ lasers or CustomVue™ treatment, contact our Boston-area practice.
