Lasers Are Really Here And Not Just From Some Science Fictions
The lasers employed in the Lasik eye surgery is one of the most
amazing offshoots of technology. One cannot help but feel awe at
the uses of these lasers in modern medicine as it helps millions
of people regain their eyesight.
Excimer lasers have been designed especially for doing Lasik eye
method. Not all lasers have equal capability. The FDA has accepted
all of the lasers now in use, but some people, prefer one method
over the others. The difference in the methods lies in their manner
of sending the beam to the eye and the monitoring of the eye's movement.
Lasers are generally classified into two: broad beam and scanning.
Scanning is further classified into two sub- groups the slit into
two sub- groups the slit scanning and spot scanning.
Broad Beam Lasers
The broad-beam laser uses a wider size rays to make incisions on
the cornea, ranging from 6 to 8 millimeters to 8 millimeters. Utilizing
these lasers essentially cuts the procedure time of the surgery.
As such, use of these lasers reduces the risk of overcorrection
due to pupil movement. However, the wider diameter of these rays
caused complications; however since the improvement of the method,
the risks have been virtually removed.
Slit Scanning Lasers
Slit scanning lasers project arrow like emissions in doing Lasik
procedure. The ray is connected to a turning gadget with holes to
broaden the part that has to be incised. The rays scan traversing
the holes. Slit scanning lasers gcreate a more consistent beam and
smoother incisions than broad-beam lasers. However, there is more
probability to "overcorrect" when using a slit scanning
laser.
Spot Scanning Lasers
Spot scanning lasers are also known as "flying spot"
lasers. These lasers use a small ray measuring just about 0.8 to
2 millimeters.8 to 2 millimeters. During the surgery the beam searches
the cornea transversely to do incisions. Spot scanners are able
to make a very smooth cut. They are also able to produce tailored-fit
incisions to treat severe astigmatism.
Eye-Tracking
Various lasers also bear an eye-monitoring system, which connects
the eye position to the surgery. If this system will not be utilized,
the patient will have to try to fix his sight on a distant object
keep the eye completely motionless throughout the entire process.
There are two various kinds of eye tracking systems. One is called
the open loop tracking which is a video based monitoring system
which keeps tabs of the eye's position. If the eye moves out of
position based on the programmed position, the procedure is automatically
discontinued.
Another form of tracking system is called the "closed loop".
This method allows tracking of the eye's position and automatically
adjusting its setting keeping up with the changes in the eye's position.
Majority of the Lasik surgeons are in agreement that use of a gadget
to monitor positional changes of the eye is important, especially
if the procedures will take some time. Understably so because it
will be almost impossible for the patients to hold their gaze for
an extended period of time until the procedure is done.
IntraLase Lasers
Majority of surgeons as well, employ Intralase lasers in their
Lasik eye surgery. The IntraLase laser can make incisions to make
a flap to expose the cornea for reshaping. This laser is able to
precisely make patterns of small overlapping spaces. The laser emission
pulses very rapidly at a speed of quadrillionth of a second. The
laser beam aims at the tissue and splits it at a molecular level.
This method eliminates the use of high temperature or strong force
on the tissue.
The IntraLase laser beam method uses special computer software
to help direct the laser beam. This software directs the beam to
make a series of very small bubbles on the middle level the cornea.
This will create a flap in the cornea with a precisely established
measurements. Using this software in operations has given hope to
people with thin corneas to be qualified for the procedure.
For some, laser beams might look like some fictitious powerful
gadgets created for fiction. But this is in reality an outstanding
technology made available to us today. With the various methods
of lasers that can be used for Lasik surgeons, they now have to
capability of making the dreams of millions of people to get their
sights back to normal.
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