Laser-Based Vision Correction

How Excimer Lasers Work:  Splitting Hairs, Literally!

Grooves cut in a human hair by an excimer laser

 Excimer laser technology was developed in the late '70's by IBM. It was designed as a super-precise tool to etch very high density circuit patterns in the computer chip manufacturing process. Extreme precision and accuracy are required for this application.

“Excimer” stands for “excited dimer,” a combination of Argon and Fluorine gas that, in the presence of a strong electric field, emits UV-wavelength laser energy. A laser of this type is phenomenally accurate, and incredibly delicate. Shown at left is a famous electron microscope image of multiple grooves cut in a single human hair by an excimer laser.

Shortly after its' invention, several innovative researchers thought to apply excimer laser technology to the correction of vision conditions such as nearsightedness, astigmatism and farsightedness. This led directly to the modern lasers for vision correction. Current excimer lasers are all computer-controlled, and the treatments are computer-guided.

The fact that excimer laser treatment does not injure, shrink or even distort adjacent tissue, combined with the precise accuracy of sculpting, makes it a very effective tool for etching computer chips, and an incredibly delicate and accurate instrument for correcting vision.

Wavelight Allegretto Laser

At LA Sight, we use the most advanced laser available for vision correction care, the Wavelight Allegretto laser. It's the Gulfstream jet of lasers -- fast, elegant and fabulously accurate.  We also have access to other lasers and can make them available in those rare situations where one might have a slight advantage over another. This approach allows us to offer absolutely the best and most appropriate treatments possible, and help us achieve the most accurate, highest-quality results.

To see how laser sculpting can correct vision, click here .

If you'd like to learn more about excimer lasers and the technology of vision correction, click on our Allegretto technology  link.

Dr. Wallace is certified and experienced in use of the Allegretto, LADARVision, Visx and Bausch & Lomb (Technolas) laser systems. When he feels it advisable or appropriate, he will advise the use of these other lasers in particular cases.

You may also find the What is LASIK page of the US FDA website to be of value.