The new generation Scanning Laser technology is felt to be superior than the “broad beam” technology used in VisX and Summit lasers because the energy of each pulse of the laser contains only a fraction of the energy of a “broad beam” pulse, allowing for finer ablation. This results in a smoother reshaping of the eye’s surface.
One important advantage of a smoother surface is best appreciated in dim lighting or at night. When the pupil dilates, the “haloes” around bright lights, that are sometimes reported after “broad beam” laser vision correction, are less prevalent with Scanning laser patients. Scanning Lasers result in faster procedures than most “broad beam” lasers. By completing the laser process in as little as one third the time of some “broad beam” lasers, the Scanning Laser requires a much shorter time of eye fixation by the patient. This improves patient cooperation and comfort substantially. Scanning Lasers are the lasers of choice among laser vision correction surgeons worldwide. In fact, in countries where the government does not dictate the equipment used by eye surgeon, the “broad beam” lasers are becoming obsolete.
The need for re-treatment procedures is greatly reduced by the use of scanning technology. The re-treatment rates reported internationally are less than half of the rates reported with “broad beam” lasers in the United States.
A Word from Doctor Fischer
Why have we chosen the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser?
Nidek has been producing top quality ophthalmic medical equipment for over thirty years, and their products are found in every eye doctor's office around the world. They have an extensive product line covering all aspects of eye care, not just focusing on one laser product, as other excimer laser manufacturers have done. They developed their own excimer laser technology, and did not resort to buying out another company to acquire it. Their excimer laser platform is one that allows for new technology upgrades to be easily incorporated, rather than making the whole system obsolete.
The EC-5000 is FDA approved to correct myopia and myopia with astigmatism in both PRK and LASIK modes. Hyperopia and hyperopia with astigmatism treatment capability is currently before the FDA awaiting their approval.
The laser is FDA approved for a 6.5mm optical zone and a 7.5 mm transition zone. The system is extremely well designed and very user friendly for surgeons to feel comfortable with. Nidek has a unique "scanning-slit" technology of beam delivery. A narrow, rectangular shaped laser beam scans across the corneal surface linearly with ten overlapping pulses. After completion of each scan, the next scan is rotated 60 degrees. This alternating scan/rotate process is repeated until the entire surface of the cornea is covered, thus ensuring an even distribution of excimer laser energy producing a smoother corneal surface and fewer postoperative side effects. This method eliminated the common early refractive surgery complication of central islands associated with broad-beam laser technology. NIDEK's new NAVEX software and segmental ablation hardware upgrades (not yet available in the USA) in conjunction with data from their new OPD (Optical Path Device) system enables refractive surgeons to produce individually customized ablations for each patient and help patient's who have undesirable side effects from prior refractive surgery.
