LASIK is short for Laser-assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. LASIK is a FDA approved refractive laser eye surgery with the purpose of improving patients’ vision and reducing the need for wearing eyeglasses or contacts lenses.
The procedure of LASIK eye surgery mainly consists of three steps. The first step is to make a flap of the outer layer of cornea. There are two types of blades that can be used to cut a flap, the mechanical blade called microkeratome and the laser called keratome. The second step is to reshape the inner layer of cornea using an excimer laser. The last step is to replace the flap which is made in the first step.
There have been five instruments that used during the procedure of LASIK eye surgery have been approved by the FDA from the year 2000 to 2006.
The MEL 80 Excimer Laser System manufactured by Carl Zeiss Inc using a laser that cuts at the wavelength of 193 nanometers was approved on August 11, 2006.
The LASIK Eye Drape was developed to help protect both the patient and the surgeon by Odyssey Medical Inc. And this new style of drape was approval by FDA on May 10, 2005.
Alcon Laboratories Inc had two FDA approved instruments. The first one was approved on October 7th of 2003, which was used for their Wavelight Allegretto Wave Excimer Laser System. And the second was approved on October 10, 2003, which was used for the ophthalmic medical laser system that cuts at 193 nanometers.
Technolas 217A Excimer Laser System of Technolas GMBH Perfect Vision was approved as a class 3 medical device by FDA on February 23, 2000.
Above are the five FDA approved instruments used for the many LASIK surgeries in the United States. Check with your eye surgeon to see what he will use for you.
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