-- FDA Approved Lasers --
The best indicator of success in lasik surgery is not the laser itself, but rather the surgeon who uses it. That being said, the quality of a laser is important. Some lasers are approved by the FDA, and these have a proven track record.
The FDA goes through extensive tests and clinical trials before it approves a laser for general use. The safety, efficacy, and satisfaction ratings are all tested. Lasik surgery is performed using the laser to determine the outcomes.
A new laser that has been approved is the Mel 80 Eximer Laser. It has passed many tests and proven itself to be safe overall for use as a lasik eye surgery laser. It has also shown success rates of 93% at 20/20 or better and 99% at 20/40 or better.
This laser is put out by Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., out of California. Its notice of approval was in August of 2006. It has been approved for use with nearsightedness and astigmatism. One of the special features of the device is that it has a mechanism by which debris is removed as soon as it enters the cornea area.
The Wavelight ALLEGRETTO WAVE Eximer Laser System was approved for use in lasik surgery in October of 2003. Its maker is SurgiVision Refractive Consultants, LLC from Massachusetts. It has been approved for use to correct farsightedness with or without astigmatism.
This is a wavefront optimized laser. However, studies show that the correction rates to 20/20 and to 20/40 are 97.5% and 62.3% respectively. Perhaps the difference between the two lasers can be accounted for by the fact that they are meant to treat different eye problems. This laser, though, was deemed safe and effective by the FDA.
Bausch and Lomb Surgical, Inc. of California had approval of their TECHNOLAS 217A Eximer Laser System in the year 2000. It was recommended to be used for people with nearsightedness or astigmatism.
There were complications during the surgeries in nine of these test cases. In three instances, the procedures had to be stopped altogether. The other six did fine, all eventually ending up with 20/20 vision. The laser was eventually assessed as being safe and effective.
To find out about the laser that your surgeon plans to use for you, visit the FDA′s website for more information. There are also other sources of information. The doctor himself should take the time to tell you about the laser, and give you a brochure.