ALCON Surgical

Alcon Technologies:

Find a Doctor

Enter your ZIP code to
find a specialist in your area.

Understanding LASIK
surgery

Request a Free Copy

Ryan, OptiLASIK® Laser Vision Correction patient

Ryan, OptiLASIK® Laser Vision Correction patient

There are literally so many aspects of my life that have been improved so dramatically.

OptiLASIK® Laser
Vision Correction

Not all LASIK   LASIK : An acronym for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. LASIK is a type of laser surgery in which the cornea is reshaped to improve vision. A device called a microkeratome is used to surgically create a thin, hinged flap of corneal tissue. The flap is folded back, the laser is directed to the corneal surface exposed beneath the flap, and the flap is brought back into place.   procedures are created equal. Some outcomes are better than others, depending on many factors, including which laser and technique were used.

The problem is, many LASIK systems work purely off your eyeglass or lens prescription and don’t account for the things that make your eyes special. And why would you want to receive the exact same LASIK procedure as everybody else?

That’s why we created OptiLASIK® Laser Vision Correction. It combines today’s most advanced surgical technologies into a procedure that works with your eyes’ special traits for a more natural shape.

OptiLASIK® Laser Vision Correction offers an advanced procedure that actually adapts to the unique curvature of your eyes, reshaping them more closely to an ideal, natural eye shape, unlike earlier LASIK procedures that reshaped without taking natural curve into consideration.

OptiLASIK® Laser Vision Correction does this by utilizing the advanced diagnostic technology of the Allegretto Wave® Eye-Q Laser, which creates a "map" that captures your eyes’ one-of-a-kind quirks. This map helps your surgeon better personalize the procedure for your best results.

But even some of the greatest inventions aren’t for everyone, which is why we designed the
WaveLight® Analyzer Device to help your doctor determine if OptiLASIK® Laser Vision Correction is right for you.

WaveLight® Analyzer

WaveLight® Analyzer

Providing a new level of convenience for both surgeon and patient, the WaveLight® Analyzer is a diagnostic tool that helps eye doctors decide if customized laser vision correction is the best choice for the individual.
After all, successful treatment of vision disorders requires an accurate diagnosis.

To do this, the WaveLight® Analyzer measures the complete optics of the eye and calculates the individual wavefront aberrations, or imperfections in the eye.

Considered an advanced approach, the WaveLight® Analyzer greatly enhances the range of possibilities when it comes to laser procedures.

Working in the same visible spectrum as the human eye, the WaveLight® Analyzer projects typical measurement spots onto the retina, which are captured by a light-sensitive camera. The distortion of the light spots on the retina, or back of the eye, in relation to the reference lights, is calculated and the wavefront error displayed. The WaveLight® Analyzer system software then gives your surgeon specific plus or minus values, taking the guesswork out of refractive eye surgery, which is what everyone should want.

If your doctor decides that OptiLASIK® Laser Vision Correction is right for you, you may want to know more about the lasers driving the power. Here are two.

WaveLight® Allegretto Wave® Laser

Allegretto Wave® Eye-Q Laser

WaveLight® Allegretto Wave® Laser

Wavelight®

Introduced in 1999, the Allegretto Wave® Excimer Laser system grew to become known around the world. Based on an ideal that was once only imagined, this laser system shortened surgery times and introduced innovative, reliable eye tracking along with an award-winning, space-saving

design that captured the devotion of LASIK surgeons everywhere.

What makes Allegretto Wave® Lasers so special is their unique PerfectPulse Technology®, which is designed to ensure that every ultra-fine laser beam pulse is precisely controlled when sculpting the cornea, or surface of the eye.   Cornea : The clear, curved surface at the front of the eye through which light enters the eye. Along with the sclera, the cornea provides external protection for the eye.  

PerfectPulse Technology® does this with an advanced high-speed eye-tracking system that follows the eye’s fastest movements and ensures accurate beam placement with 3 different infrared light sources. During the procedure, the stability of every pulse is controlled by a smart-energy program, which automatically balances levels for smoother results.

The success was so great that the WaveLight® Allegretto Wave® Eye-Q Laser followed. Read more.

WaveLight® Allegretto Wave® Eye-Q Laser

WaveLight® Allegretto Wave® Eye-Q Laser

Studies show that surgical complications can be reduced with faster, more accurate procedures.1 Which is why OptiLASIK® Laser Vision Correction took the already popular Allegretto Wave® Laser one step further, introducing the Allegretto Wave® Eye-Q Laser with technological

improvements that include even faster speeds.

  • Speed: Each "burst" of the Allegretto Wave® Eye-Q Laser lasts mere billionths of a second before the laser shifts to its next position—up to 100 times faster than some lasers.
  • Precision: The Allegretto Wave® Eye-Q Laser uses a small-spot laser beam, which allows LASIK specialists to shape the cornea in finer, more gradual increments for a smoother surface with eye-tracking technology 8 times faster than some of the competition.
  • Simplicity: The Allegretto Wave® Eye-Q Laser’s integrated cross-line projector provides the surgeon with an exact alignment of the head's and eye's position by generating a red-light cross on the eye for accuracy.
  • Personalized procedure: Using advanced Wavefront Optimized ® technology, the Allegretto Wave® Eye-Q Laser creates a "map" of your eyes and their unique characteristics to assist your surgeon in creating a personal vision profile for you. This map serves as a guide that helps doctors locate the eye’s exact treatment position, which is one of the most important factors in obtaining a more naturally shaped cornea and therefore an excellent refractive outcome, especially when correcting eyes with high astigmatism.   Astigmatism : A common refractive condition caused by either an irregularity in the curvature of the cornea (corneal astigmatism) or the lens (lenticular astigmatism). People with astigmatism generally have difficulty seeing fine detail at all distances. This vision disorder is treated with corrective lenses or refractive surgery.  

WaveLight® FS200 Femtosecond Laser

WaveLight® FS200 Femtosecond Laser

Another in a line of cutting-edge technological advancements in vision correction, the WaveLight® FS200 femtosecond laser helps doctors produce more reliable outcomes during refractive procedures.

By combining optimal energy—including low-pulse energy during sharp-cutting edging—and spacing parameters through a highly precise scanning algorithm, the WaveLight® FS200 laser makes it possible for surgeons to create consistent, high-quality "flaps," or incisions in the eye’s lens.

The WaveLight® FS200 laser also comes equipped with a high-resolution microscope for excellent, continuous visibility throughout the procedure and makes it possible for doctors to reduce the deviations that traditionally happen in flap thickness during manual flap creation.

In other words, with the WaveLight® FS200 laser, surgeons can skim tissue off the eye’s surface smoothly, with no grooves, ridges, or rough edges. Now that’s progress.

References

  1. Cummings A. Conquering Cyclotorsion with the Wavelight NeuroTrack System. Refractive Eyecare. August 2007.

Read the Product Information (Brief Statement of Intended Use)

OptiLASIK® Laser Vision Correction

Myopia:

  • Approval of the premarket approval application is for the WaveLight® ALLEGRETTO WAVE®/ ALLEGRETTO WAVE® Eye-Q Excimer Laser System to perform LASIK treatments in patients 18 years of age or older for the reduction or elimination of myopic refractive errors up to -12.0 diopters (D) of sphere with and without astigmatic refractive errors up to -6.0 D; and in patients with documented evidence of a stable manifest refraction defined as less than or equal to 0.50 D of preoperative spherical equivalent shift over one year prior to surgery.
  • LASIK is an elective procedure with the alternatives including but not limited to eyeglasses, contact lenses, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and other refractive surgeries.
  • Approval of the application is based on clinical trials in the United States with 901 eyes treated, of which 813 of 866 eligible eyes were followed for 12 months. Accountability at 3 months was 93.8%, at 6 months was 91.9%, and at 12 months was 93.9%.
  • The studies found that of the 844 eyes eligible for the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) analysis of effectiveness at the 3-month stability time point, 98.0% were corrected to 20/40 or better, and 84.4% were corrected to 20/20 or better without spectacles or contact lenses.
  • The clinical trials showed that the following subjective patient adverse events were reported as "moderate to severe" at a level at least 1% higher than baseline of the subjects at 3 months posttreatment: visual fluctuations (12.8% at baseline versus 28.6% at 3 months).
  • Long-term risks of LASIK for myopia with and without astigmatism beyond 12 months have not been studied.
  • Note that the complete name for this ophthalmic laser is "WaveLight® ALLEGRETTO WAVE® / ALLEGRETTO WAVE® Eye-Q Excimer Laser System for laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) treatments of myopic refractive errors up to -12.0 diopters (D) of sphere with and without astigmatic refractive errors up to -6.0 D at the spectacle plane."

Hyperopia:

  • Approval of the premarket approval application is for the WaveLight® ALLEGRETTO WAVE®/ ALLEGRETTO WAVE® Eye-Q Excimer Laser System to perform LASIK treatments in patients 18 years of age or older for the reduction or elimination of hyperopic refractive errors up to +6.0 diopters (D) of sphere with and without astigmatic refractive errors up to 5.0 D at the spectacle plane, with a maximum manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) of +6.0 D; and in patients with documented evidence of a stable manifest refraction defined as less than or equal to 0.50 D of preoperative spherical equivalent shift over one year prior to surgery, exclusive of changes due to unmasking latent hyperopia.
  • LASIK is an elective procedure with the alternatives including but not limited to eyeglasses, contact lenses, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and other refractive surgeries.
  • Approval of the application is based on clinical trials in the United States with 290 eyes treated, of which 100 of 290 eligible eyes were followed for 12 months. Accountability at 3 months was 95.2%, at 6 months was 93.9%, and at 12 months was 69.9%.
  • The studies found that of the 212 eyes eligible for the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) analysis of effectiveness at the 6-month stability time point, 95.3% were corrected to 20/40 or better, and 67.5% were corrected to 20/20 or better without spectacles or contact lenses.
  • The study showed that the following subjective patient adverse events were reported as "much worse" by at least 1% of the subjects (in order of increasing frequency) at 6 months post final treatment: glare from bright lights (3.0%); night driving glare (4.2%) light sensitivity (4.9%); visual fluctuations (6.1%); and halos (6.4%).
  • Long term risks of LASIK for hyperopia with and without astigmatism beyond 12 months have not been studied.
  • Note that the complete name for this ophthalmic laser is "WaveLight® ALLEGRETTO WAVE®/ ALLEGRETTO WAVE® Eye—Q Excimer Laser System for laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) treatments of hyperopic refractive errors up to +6.0 diopters (D) of sphere with and without astigmatic refractive errors up to 5.0 D with a maximum manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) of +6.0 D."

Mixed Astigmatism:

  • Approval of the premarket approval application is for the WaveLight® ALLEGRETTO WAVE®/ ALLEGRETTO WAVE® Eye-Q Excimer Laser System to perform LASIK treatments in patients 21 years of age or older for the reduction or elimination of naturally occurring mixed astigmatism of up to 6.00 D at the spectacle plane; and in patients with documentation of a stable manifest refraction defined as less than or equal to 0.50 D of preoperative spherical equivalent shift over one year prior to surgery.
  • LASIK is an elective procedure with the alternatives including but not limited to eyeglasses, contact lenses, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and other refractive surgeries.
  • Approval of the application is based on clinical trials in the United States with 162 eyes treated, of which 111 were eligible to be followed at 6 months. Accountability at 1 month was 99.4%, at 3 months was 96.0%, and at 6 months was 100.0%.
  • The studies found that of the 142 eyes eligible for the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) analysis of effectiveness at the 3-month stability time point, 95.8% achieved acuity of 20/40 or better, and 67.6% achieved acuity of 20/20 or better without spectacles or contact lenses.
  • The clinical trials showed that the following subjective patient adverse events were reported as "moderate to severe" at a level at least 1% higher than baseline of the subjects at 3 months post-treatment: sensitivity to light (43.3% at baseline versus 52.9% at 3 months); visual fluctuations (32.1% at baseline versus 43.0% at 3 months); and halos (37.0% at baseline versus 42.3% at 3 months).
  • Long term risks of LASIK for mixed astigmatism beyond 6 months have not been studied.
  • The safety and effectiveness of LASIK surgery has ONLY been established with an optical zone of 6.0 - 7.0 mm and an ablation zone of 9.0 mm.
  • Note that the complete name for this ophthalmic laser is "WaveLight® ALLEGRETTO WAVE®/ ALLEGRETTO WAVE® Eye-Q Excimer Laser System for laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) treatments of naturally occurring mixed astigmatism of up to 6.00 D at the spectacle plane."

Wavefront-Guided Treatment of Myopia:

  • Approval of the premarket approval application is for the WaveLight® ALLEGRETTO WAVE® / ALLEGRETTO WAVE® Eye-Q Excimer Laser System used in conjunction with the WaveLight® Analyzer device. The device uses a 6.5 mm optical zone, a 9.0 mm ablation/treatment zone, and is indicated for wavefront-guided (WFG) laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK):
    1) for the reduction or elimination of up to -7.00 diopters (D) of spherical equivalent myopia or myopia with astigmatism, with up to -7.00 D of spherical component and up to 3.00 D of astigmatic component at the spectacle plane;
    2) in patients who are 18 years of age or older; and
    3) in patients with documentation of a stable manifest refraction defined as ≤0.50 D of preoperative spherical equivalent shift over one year prior to surgery.
  • LASIK is an elective procedure with the alternatives including but not limited to eyeglasses, contact lenses, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), traditional LASIK and other refractive surgeries.
  • Approval of the application is based on a randomized clinical trial in the United States with 374 eyes treated; 188 with wavefront-guided LASIK (Study Cohort) and 186 with Wavefront Optimized® LASIK (Control Cohort). 178 of the Study Cohort and 180 of the Control Cohort were eligible to be followed at 6 months. In the Study Cohort, accountability at 1 month was 96.8%, at 3 months was 96.8%, and at 6 months was 93.3%. In the Control Cohort, accountability at 1 month was 94.6%, at 3 months was 94.6%, and at 6 months was 92.2%.
  • The studies found that of the 180 eyes eligible for the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) analysis of effectiveness at the 6-month stability time point in the Study Cohort, 99.4% were corrected to 20/40 or better, and 93.4% were corrected to 20/20 or better without spectacles or contact lenses. In the Control Cohort, of the 176 eyes eligible for the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) analysis of effectiveness at the 6-month stability time point, 99.4% were corrected to 20/40 or better, and 92.8% were corrected to 20/20 or better without spectacles or contact lenses.
  • The clinical trials showed that the following subjective patient adverse events were reported as "moderate to severe" at a level at least 1% higher than baseline of the subjects at 3 months post-treatment in the Study Cohort, light sensitivity (37.2% at baseline versus 47.8% at 3 months) and visual fluctuations (13.8% at baseline versus 20.0% at 3 months). In the Control Cohort, halos (36.6% at baseline versus 45.4% at 3 months) and visual fluctuations (18.3% at baseline versus 21.9% at 3 months).
  • Long term risks of wavefront-guided LASIK for myopia with and without astigmatism beyond 6 months have not been studied.
  • Note that the complete name for this ophthalmic laser is "WaveLight® ALLEGRETTO WAVE® / ALLEGRETTO WAVE® Eye-Q Excimer Laser System used in conjunction with the WaveLight® Analyzer device. The device uses a 6.5 mm optical zone, a 9.0 mm ablation/treatment zone, and is indicated for wavefront-guided (WFG) laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK): 1) for the reduction or elimination of up to -7.00 diopters (D) of spherical equivalent myopia or myopia with astigmatism, with up to -7.00 D of spherical component and up to 3.00 D of astigmatic component at the spectacle plane; 2) in patients who are 18 years of age or older; and 3) in patients with documentation of a stable manifest refraction defined as ≤0.50 D of preoperative spherical equivalent shift over one year prior to surgery."


AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL

CAUTION: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

INDICATIONS: The AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® Apodized Diffractive Optic Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens (IOL) is intended for primary implantation for the visual correction of aphakia secondary to removal of a cataractous lens in adult patients with and without presbyopia, who desire near, intermediate and distance vision with increased spectacle independence. The lens is intended to be placed in the capsular bag.

WARNINGS: Careful preoperative evaluation and sound clinical judgment should be used by the surgeon to decide the risk/benefit ratio before implanting a lens in a patient with any of the conditions described in the Directions for Use labeling. Some adverse reactions that have been associated with the implantation of intraocular lenses are: hypopyon, intraocular infection, acute corneal decompensation, macular edema, pupillary block, retinal detachment, and secondary surgical intervention (including but not limited to lens repositioning, biometry error, visual disturbances or patient dissatisfaction). As a result of the multifocality, some visual effects (halos or radial lines around point sources of light at night) may also be expected due to the superposition of focused and unfocused multiple images. A reduction in contrast sensitivity may also be experienced by some patients, especially in low lighting conditions such as driving at night. In order to achieve optimal visual performance with this lens, emmetropia must be targeted. Patients with significant preoperative or expected postoperative astigmatism >1.0D may not achieve optimal visual outcomes. Care should be taken to achieve IOL centration, as lens decentration may result in a patient experiencing visual disturbances under certain lighting conditions.

PRECAUTIONS: Do not resterilize. Do not store over 45° C. Use only sterile irrigating solutions such as BSS® or BSS PLUS® Sterile Intraocular Irrigating Solution. Clinical studies with the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL indicated that posterior capsule opacification (PCO), when present, developed earlier into clinically significant PCO. Studies have shown that color vision discrimination is not adversely affected in individuals with the AcrySof® Natural IOL and normal color vision. The effect on vision of the AcrySof® Natural IOL in subjects with hereditary color vision defects and acquired color vision defects secondary to ocular disease (e.g., glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, chronic uveitis, and other retinal or optic nerve diseases) has not been studied. The long-term effects of filtering blue light and the clinical efficacy of that filtering on the retina have not been conclusively established.

ATTENTION: Reference the Physician Labeling/Directions for Use for a complete listing of indications, warnings, and precautions.

AcrySof® IQ Toric IOL

CAUTION: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

INDICATIONS: AcrySof® IQ Toric IOL Models SN6AT3, SN6AT4, and SN6AT5 Posterior Chamber Intraocular lenses are intended for primary implantation in the capsular bag of the eye for the visual correction of aphakia and pre-existing corneal astigmatism secondary to the removal of a cataractous lens in adult patients with or without presbyopia, who desire improved uncorrected distance vision, reduction of residual refractive cylinder and increased spectacle independence for distance vision.

WARNINGS: Careful preoperative evaluation and sound clinical judgment should be used by the surgeon to decide the risk/benefit ratio before implanting a lens in a patient with any of the conditions described in the Directions for Use labeling. Toric IOLs should not be implanted if the posterior capsule is ruptured, if the zonules are damaged, or if a primary posterior capsulotomy is planned. Rotation can reduce astigmatic correction; if necessary lens repositioning should occur as early as possible prior to lens encapsulation. All viscoelastics should be removed from both the anterior and posterior sides of the lens; residual viscoelastics may allow the lens to rotate.

PRECAUTIONS: Studies have shown that color vision discrimination is not adversely affected in individuals with the AcrySof® Natural IOL and normal color vision. The effect on vision of the AcrySof® Natural IOL in subjects with hereditary color vision defects and acquired color vision defects secondary to ocular disease (e.g., glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, chronic uveitis, and other retinal or optic nerve diseases) has not been studied. Do not resterilize; do not store over 45° C; use only sterile irrigating solutions such as BSS® or BSS PLUS® Sterile Intraocular Irrigating Solutions.

ATTENTION: Reference the Directions for Use labeling for a complete listing of indications, warnings and precautions.

LenSx® Laser Refractive Cataract Surgery

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements. This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.Any forward-looking statements reflect the views of our management as of the date of this press release with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.