Laser vs. Laser: What Makes One Better than Another?

August 1st, 2016
laser eye surgery

Our unwavering commitment to quality permeates every aspect of our practice, with locations in Arlington, Dallas and Plano.

So it’s no surprise we pay close attention to the latest and greatest technology. At Kleiman|Evangelista Eye Center, we use advanced laser technology – including the WaveLight EX500ViSX CustomVue Star S4 , and Contoura laser platforms – to correct vision through a variety of modern procedures.

All the names of the different lasers used to perform LASIK and other vision correction procedures can begin to sound like alphabet soup after a while. Does it really matter if it’s an EX500 or an S4 or Contoura?

In a word…yes. It matters a great deal.

So, what makes a good laser good? What makes one better than another?

Let’s break it down.

To begin, we will identify the two types of lasers that are used in modern blade-free LASIK surgery.

  • Femtosecond laser – This laser directs energy precisely to create a thin, hinged flap, which then is lifted temporarily from the eye’s surface or cornea.
  • Excimer laser – Energy from this type of laser is applied to the newly exposed eye surface, where tissue is removed in a precise pattern to alter the corneal shape.

At Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers, the flap is created on the corneal surface of your eye using the IntraLase iFS, a cool laser light that produces a layer of microbubbles to a pre-established depth of the cornea to separate the flap from the eye’s surface. The IntraLase iFS gives surgeons greater control (resulting in fewer potential complications) than other femtosecond lasers, making it an indispensable tool to any modern LASIK procedure.

Next, let’s look at the excimer laser, which has completely revolutionized the field of laser eye surgery. The excimer laser, as we have already noted, alters the cornea shape to correct vision. Over the decades, the excimer laser has greatly increased the safety, efficacy and predictability of corneal refractive surgery. Today’s excimer lasers are far more sophisticated and precise than previous generations.

While there are several FDA-approved excimer lasers on the market, which one is most suitable for you will depend on your specific requirements, such as your degree of refractive error, the size of your pupils and the thickness of your cornea.

The main distinction among the different lasers used for LASIK are the patterns they use to deliver the laser beam and track the eye during laser eye treatment. For reshaping of the cornea to correct vision issues, Kleiman | Evangelista surgeons use the WaveLight EX500, ViSX CustomVue Star S4 and Contoura Vision – certain people will be better off with one laser over another, and your surgeon will determine what’s best for you through rigorous diagnostic testing before your procedure.

Modern lasers, such as those used at Kleiman | Evangelista offer precise results and complete customization for each patient. The result is a better vision correction outcome for a lifetime.

Curious if LASIK may be right for you? Take our self-test now.

Turn To The Top Eye Doctors In Texas

Check out one of our locations below for the best eye care near you: