How Does the Excimer Laser Work?
Many patients ask, “How can a laser correct my vision?” The laser removes tissue from the center of the cornea (in the case of myopia) to flatten its curvature and correct nearsightedness. In the case of farsightedness, tissue is removed from the periphery of the cornea to steepen its central curvature. The laser essentially reshapes the cornea’s front surface. To do this, the corneal stroma (tissue beneath the corneal epithelium) must be exposed. This can be accomplished by creating a corneal flap. The LASIK process then uses the excimer laser to reshape the cornea under a thin, protective, corneal flap. Rather than vaporizing the epithelial cells to expose the corneal stroma, a flap of corneal tissue that is attached by a “hinge” is used in LASIK. At Wang Vision Institute, Dr. Wang has rejected the use of the blade, and prefers to use a laser with the bladeless Intralase procedure. This flap is gently pulled back like a tiny, clear, hinged lid and the corneal stroma is exposed. The l
The excimer laser uses controlled pulses of light to remove only the very outermost layer of the cornea. The laser s computer determines the location, number of pulses, and surface area that is to be removed. This changes the curvature of cornea and the location where the image is focused. Now light rays entering the eye are focused on the retina resulting in improved vision. When the “cool” laser beam touches the cornea, the intermolecular bonds are broken and the molecules are dispersed into the air. This leaves a clear and smooth underlying corneal surface. In order to induce a refractive change to correct myopia, more tissue must be removed from the thicker center of the cornea than the thinner periphery. Since there is no cutting or burning, there is absolutely no damage done to surrounding tissue; thus the excimer laser is an ideal technology for reshaping the cornea. While the Excimer laser surgically alters only the cornea, it can also compensate for presbyopia. The ophthalmolo
The excimer laser was invented to etch microchips more than two decades ago at IBM’s Watson Laboratories. Subsequently, the remarkable discovery was made that the excimer can also be used to re-sculpt human tissue, particularly the cornea, with a great degree of precision. Today, the excimer provides accuracy, predictability, and the capability to correct a wide range of refractive errors. This Argon-Fluoride gas laser emits computercontrolled pulses of cool ultraviolet light with an unparalleled degree of precision. Each pulse of the excimer laser can remove 39 millionths of an inch of tissue in as little as 12 billionths of a second. In fact, the excimer laser can remove as little as 1/40 of a human cell. This precision leaves the integrity of the eye unchanged. The excimer works by breaking molecular bonds. It is the ability of the excimer laser to remove a single cell without damaging the remaining cells that allows doctors to perform laser vision correction with precision. We perf
The excimer laser was invented more than 20 years ago by IBM to etch microchips. Today, the excimer provides accuracy, predictability and the capability to correct a wide range of refractive errors. The Argon-Fluoride gas laser emits computer-controlled pulses of cool, ultraviolet light with unparalleled degree of precision. Each pulse of laser can remove 39 millionths of an inch of tissue in as little as 12 billionths of a second. In other words, the excimer can remove as little as 1/40th of a human cell. Our Nidek Excimer works by breaking molecular bonds. It is this ability to remove a single cell without damaging the remaining cells that allows doctors to perform laser vision correction with such precision. Because the laser beam does not penetrate the eye, there will be no effect on pregnant patients.
