Authors: Maldonado, Miguel J; Nieto, Juan C; Piero, David P

Source: Expert Review of Medical Devices, Volume 5, Number 2, March 2008 , pp. 209-229(21)

Publisher: Expert Reviews

Abstract:

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) has become the most widely used form of refractive surgery today. The objective of this surgical technique is to modify the anterior corneal shape by ablating tissue from the stroma by means of the excimer laser after creating a hinged corneal flap. This way, we are able to change the refractive status of the patient, providing better unaided vision. Continuous improvements in the original technique have made the surgical procedure safer, more accurate and repeatable. These progressions are due to the development of novel technologies that are the responsible for new surgical instrumentation, which makes the surgical procedure easier for the surgeon, and better excimer laser ablation algorithms, which increase the optical quality of the ablation and thus the safety of the vision correction procedure. This article aims to describe the more relevant advances in LASIK that have played an important role in the spread and popularity of this technique.

Keywords: aberration; corneal ectasia; excimer laser; LASIK; microkeratome; undersurface ablation of the flap; vision correction; wavefront

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1586/17434440.5.2.209

Affiliations: 1: Department of Ophthalmology, Clnica Universitaria, University of Navarra, Avda Pio XII, 36, 31080, Pamplona, Spain., Email: mjmaldonad@unav.es

Publication date: 2008-03-01

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