The Scoop on "Custom LASIK"
by Anonymous

For Information Contact:
Irene McLaughlin
Communications Manager
(617) 636-0244
irene.mclaughlin@lasikinstitute.org


Boston, MA – You've heard the claim: Custom LASIK can promise "better than 20/20." What is Custom LASIK? And how substantiated is the better than 20/20 claim?

"Right now, it's premature to say that the improvements in the technology will ensure better than 20/20," states LASIK Institute Executive Director Laura Johnson. "The technology coming down the pike is interesting, but it is also experimental, and it's too soon speculate about the efficacy of this upcoming technology."

To clear up the confusion, the LASIK Institute, the definitive source in LASIK education, talks about the diagnostic technologies that are expected to produce better outcomes in the future on the Internet at http://www.lasikinstitute.org/technology.html.

In addition, the Institute highlights methods that some surgeons have already adopted to try to produce better outcomes at http://www.lasikinstitute.org/news_story27.html.

Laser Technology
There's also some interesting laser work on the horizon. Currently, the latest excimer lasers to gain approval use a 193nm argon/floride gas to ablate tissue. Various companies are experimenting with solid state machines or even machines that produce a different wavelength, such as mid-range infrared. The goal is to make the laser beam even more narrow in order for the ablation to be even more precise.

"There is femtosecond laser work now being done through a company called Intralase" states Ronald Krueger, MD, who joins Howard Gimbel, MD as the newest members of the LASIK Institute's internationally renown Board of Directors. "Clinical studies have been performed in Budapest, Hungary. Right now the femtosecond laser is used to make the flap for LASIK, but the excimer laser remains the tool for reshaping the cornea. Eventually the femtosecond laser may be used for other applications related to LASIK, but there is no clear evidence that it will be better than LASIK with the excimer."

Research Is Key
LASIK continually evolves, and surgeons continue to adopt methods to ensure better and better outcomes immediately, in addition to testing new technology for use the future. "The LASIK Institute applauds all efforts to ensure excellent outcomes," stated Ms. Johnson. "As evidence of this support, we will be awarding $50,000 in research grants to ensure that researchers search for ways to continuously improve the procedure."





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