Excel Eye Center in Provo, Utah, Purchases the VISX Star S4 IR Excimer Laser for LASIK Vision Correction

Excel Eye Center in Provo, Utah, is now able to provide a more convenient, comfortable and precise LASIK experience for patients with the purchase of the VISX S4 Excimer Laser.

“We decided to purchase the laser rather than use a mobile unit for several reasons, the greatest being the ability to have the laser remain stationary and permanently located in a room with stable temperature and humidity. This lets us meet our strict operating standards for laser calibration and usage,” said W Scott Lohner MD, LASIK surgeon at Excel.

The VISX S4 IR laser is FDA approved and has been used in over 5 million procedures providing the best in safety, accuracy and comfort. The technology is so advanced, it is even used by NASA for their astronaut corp. The laser produces some of the smoothest corneal surface and decreased night glare with a shorter procedure time to increase patient comfort.

“I am so very grateful to have 20/20 vision and to be lens free. No more contacts, solutions, cleansing, irritations or pain. No more groping in the dark for glasses. I was able to go scuba diving in the Caribbean and see everything perfectly...without corrective lenses! Only those who have eyesight restored to its perfect state can truly understand how thrilling it is to SEE,” said Sandi, a LASIK patient at Excel Eye Center.

source: PRWeb

Laser flap complications during LASIK surgery are infrequent and treatable, study finds

Intraoperative LASIK eye surgery complications related to the creation of the corneal flap with a femtosecond laser are infrequent and usually can be corrected during the same surgical session, according to a study published in Journal of Refractive Surgery.

Researchers at the University of Utah (Salt Lake City) and the University of Iowa (Iowa City) conducted a prospective study of 3,009 consecutive all-laser LASIK surgeries performed from August 2002 through July 2009. In all cases, the LASIK flap was created with an IntraLase femtosecond laser (Abbott Medical Optics).

Analysis of the study data revealed only 11 intraoperative complications occurred (0.37 percent).

Of these, there were eight cases of a break in the suction between the head of the laser and the cornea. Seven of these were treated with reapplication of the laser; one case was treated with surgical dissection of the side-cut of the flap edge.

One case of incomplete flap creation was treated with surgical dissection and two adherent flaps were treated with reapplication of laser energy and surgical dissection.

All eleven LASIK surgeries with intraoperative laser flap complications were successfully completed during the same operative session.

source: Refractive Surgery News

OptiMedica’s Catalys™ Precision Laser System Study Published in Science Translational Medicine Shows Marked Advancement in Cataract Surgery

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global ophthalmic device company OptiMedica Corp. has announced that results from a clinical study of its Catalys Precision Laser System were published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Translational Medicine (“Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery with Integrated Optical Coherence Tomography,” Volume 2, Issue 58, November 17, 2010). The data showed that, when compared to manual techniques, the Catalys Precision Laser System helped surgeons achieve significant improvement in precision during several critical steps of cataract surgery.

“These study results clearly indicate that a femtosecond laser with integrated Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging, advanced optics and control software can provide multiple benefits for cataract surgery,” said the study’s lead author Daniel Palanker, associate professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory, Stanford University. “We believe the new laser-assisted technique represents a significant scientific and clinical advancement that will make cataract surgery much more precise and reproducible, and we are gratified that Science Translational Medicine has recognized its importance and potential.”

As reported in the published study, approximately one third of Americans will undergo cataract surgery in their lifetime. While advancements in surgical technique have occurred over the last several decades, several critical steps remain manual in nature and can only be performed with limited precision.

source: Business Wire

IRIDEX Granted U.S. Patent for MicroPulse(TM) Technology - A Fine Dose Control Technology Enabling Tissue Sparing Eye Surgeries With Visible Lasers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Aug 18, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- IRIDEX Corporation (Nasdaq: IRIX) today announced the receipt of issuance of U.S. Patent No. 7,771,417, titled "Laser System with Short Pulse Characteristics And Its Method Of Use." This patent applies to the company's MicroPulse(TM) technology which provides the ophthalmologist with fine dose control of laser energy during eye surgery. Ophthalmologists are using MicroPulse technology to treat patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy and other sight-threatening retinal and glaucoma disorders. Treatments using MicroPulse technology demonstrate favorable outcomes and significantly less damage to healthy retinal structures compared to traditional continuous wave laser treatment.

"MicroPulse technology enables Tissue Sparing Photocoagulation, a controlled laser dosing approach which induces the long-term benefits of laser procedures with no detectable tissue damaging side effects," commented Theodore A. Boutacoff, President and CEO. "The company has developed this technology over a number of years using infrared laser systems and its clinical efficacy has been reported in over 45 peer reviewed publications. Extending our MicroPulse technology from our infrared laser systems to our visible laser systems and being granted a patent to protect this proprietary technology for visible laser systems is important because the majority of lasers sold today are visible wavelength laser systems."

source: Iridex

IRIDEX Granted U.S. Patent for Adjustable Laser Probe for Eye Surgery

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IRIDEX Corporation (Nasdaq: IRIX) today announced the receipt of an Issue Notification from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for U.S. Patent No. 7,766,904, "Adjustable Laser Probe For Use In Vitreoretinal Surgery." This patent applies to a number of consumable medical devices already in the IRIDEX product line, collectively identified and sold as Adjustable and Intuitive EndoProbe® laser handpieces.

The Adjustable Laser Probe speeds up treatments by allowing continuous adjustment of the optical fiber over a wide range of angles for full coverage of the peripheral retina without requiring removal and reinsertion of the probe from the eye.

"We continue to focus on ways to increase the value of our consumable instrumentation line by offering novel and creative product solutions to our ophthalmic customers which in turn will help us grow our business," stated Theodore A. Boutacoff, President and CEO, "and to reconfirm our corporate position as a leader in our market."

"The issuance of this patent is valuable to IRIDEX because it helps us maintain the differentiation of our vitreoretinal product line from those of our competitors, and we plan to capitalize on the leverage afforded by this new patent by expanding this product line in the near future."

source: PR Newswire

iFS LASIK Corrects Vision with No Blades and Removes Risks Associated with Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are a great way to get rid of your glasses, but they come with some complications - especially if they're not properly cared for. Recurring eye infections can lead to corneal scarring and even blindness if not treated. For those who are candidates for LASIK, new advances have made it safer than ever.

As featured recently on The Doctors, the Advanced IntraLase Femtosecond Laser (iFS) is a way to correct your eyesight without a single cut with a blade. Bladeless LASIK removes the primary risk factor of LASIK which was cutting the eye with a blade. New highly accurate lasers are available to create the flap for LASIK correction that are even an added improvement over first models.

Dr. Chis Cabler of the laser vision center in Houston, TX says, "The iFS Advanced Femtosecond Laser is the latest iteration of the IntraLase Femtosecond Laser. The major difference is that the newer version is purported to provide a more stable LASIK flap due to an inverted bevel side cut. Theoretically, this should keep the flap in place and avoid “striae” or wrinkling." Dr. Cabler uses the original iFS laser and says, "both lasers are more accurate and safer than the mechanical microkeratomes we used to use."

source: American Health & Beauty