Some Eye Surgeries That Have Come A Long Way

Microkeratomes The three types of microkeratomes--the knives used to cut flaps in the corneas--are the Microtech Moria, the Bausch & Lomb (B&L) Hansatome, and the B&L Automated Corneal Shaper. The ACS was reported to have a higher complication rate than the next-generation Hansatome in a study published in the January-February issue of the Journal of Refractive Surgery. Every center that has an ACS also has a Hansatome. The ACS generally is used in a minority of procedures.

Orbscan About two-thirds of the centers have the Orbscan II, a "corneal topographer" that can map the back surface of the cornea and help find the right laser settings and screen out patients whose corneas are shaped irregularly.

Covard pupilometer

One of the most commonly reported complications of Lasik surgery results from operating on pupils that get very large in the dark. An infrared pupilometer--the Covard pupilometer is most common among centers surveyed--uses infrared light and allows pupil size to be measured in true darkness. Some say other ways of measuring pupil size underestimate the true figure, because they require some light, which closes the pupils somewhat. Almost every center has a Covard pupilometer.

Resources In addition to the Web sites and information provided by the Lasik centers and surgeons, you may want to explore these other resources.

www.ftc.gov Basik Lasik: Tips on Lasik Eye Surgery" a booklet produced by the Federal Trade Commission is highlighted on the FTC's home page. You can click to a description about it and then to the text itself.

www.usaeyes.com The home page of the Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance, a private group that certifies Lasik surgeons. Regardless of whether your chosen surgeon is certified, the site is full of down-the-middle consumer information.

www.surgicaleyes.com A Web site that collects information about people who consider themselves victims of Lasik surgery. An excellent way to contemplate a worst-case scenario.

Lasik Technology: What Really Matters?

In advertisements and published materials offered by centers, you'll see references to various technology used in Lasik procedures. It's wise to ask the centers you are considering to explain which equipment they plan to use in your case and why. Here's what you need to know going in.

Lasers Following four different lasers are used to perform Lasik:

VISX Star S2 Nidek-EC 5000 Summit Autonomous Apex Plus Summit Autonomous LadarVision

So does one laser have an advantage over the others? Are newer models better? The Federal Trade Commission regulations do not permit advertising to compare the safety or effectiveness of these lasers, as no data has been submitted to substantiate meaningful differences.