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In the year 2004, Dr. Aus der Au was
one of the first European surgeons to use the most modern laser treatment
for the correction of visual defects – the Femto-Lasik method, with
the femtosecond laser. This is a further development of the classical
Lasik method. The femtosecond laser replaces
the mechanical cutting device (the microkeratome), which is still used
in conventional Lasik. The most critical step, the incision into the cornea
with a mechanical device, is eliminated because in Femto-Lasik the corneal
lamella (flap) is prepared with a computer-operated laser, avoiding any
direct contact (no blade). This makes Femto-Lasik not only more precise
but safer too!
Femto-Lasik – steps of the treatment
In Femto-Lasik the interior of the cornea (corneal bed) is reshaped by
laser radiation according to the visual defect to be corrected. In order
to get to this layer, the femtosecond laser
is used to cut out a very fine lamella of cornea (flap) in the external
layer of the cornea. The flap is then lifted up, like a lid, and the corneal
bed can be reshaped with the so-called Excimer
laser to correct the sight defect. The corneal flap is set back and
it re-attaches by itself, the eye lids can be moved without hindrance
again. In the first 2 weeks, any physical contact with the eye should
be avoided, you must therefore avoid rubbing your eyes during this time,
at night you must wear an eye protection for one week, and protective
glasses during the day. You will find more information on the details
of the surgical procedure under Operation.
Advantages
of Femto-Lasik in comparison to other laser procedures
- The thickness and shape of the flap can be determined individually
- There are no faulty incisions
- The preparation of the fine lamella of cornea is much more precise with
the computer-operated femtosecond laser
 than
with a mechanical cutting device (microkeratome, as in classical Lasik)
- No wound is formed at the surface of the cornea
- The extreme precision of the computer-controlled laser incision allows
to perform surgery even when the thickness
of
the cornea is critical
- No or only very limited pain
- No cicatrisation on the cornea
- Short recovery time
- Further corrections are relatively easy to perform, and very safe
Range
of possible corrections with Femto-Lasik
Depending on the thickness of the cornea, Femto-Lasik permits the durable
correction of visual defects of +4 diopters in case of hyperopia and of
ca. –8 diopters in case of myopia, in combination with an astigmatism
of up to 5 diopters.
Mode
of action of the femtosecond laser
The femtosecond laser is a solid-state laser. It functions in the near
infrared range (1053 nm) and allows cuts of a few microns of tissue. The
laser beam passes the outer layers of the cornea to reach a preset depth,
with a precision of a thousandth of a millimeter. There, the energy of
the laser beam causes the formation of a series of tiny air bubbles and
the tissue is severed (photodisruption). A fine lamella of cornea, with
the programmed depth and shape, can now be detached. Outside of the targeted
zone, the tissue remains untouched.
Femto-Lasik
Lasik
PRK/Lasek
Laser
correction Intraocular lenses
Treatment
of presbyopia: the KAMRA implant
Cornea stabilization Techniques
Operation Suitability
for refractive surgery Risks Costs
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