LASIK — Technology
For years, the physicians at Wolfe Eye Clinic have been leaders in LASIK laser vision correction. In fact, our physicians have been leaders in the development of laser vision correction and were the first to bring this technology to Iowa where they have been performing refractive surgery since 1984. Our physicians have been published in medical journals and textbooks and have helped educate many other physicians in the field of laser vision correction. Many of our physicians also have special fellowship training. Wolfe Eye Clinic has a long history of advancing eye care in Iowa and has continued in this tradition with refractive surgery.
IntraLase: All-Laser LASIK
Wolfe Eye Clinic surgeons have performed nearly 30,000 LASIK procedures to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, giving patients the possibility of a life free from glasses and contacts. Since 2002, LASIK has become even more accurate and precise with the adoption of IntraLase, an all-laser, bladeless technology used for creating the corneal flap during LASIK surgery. The LASIK procedure has not always been an all-laser procedure. The first step, creation of the corneal flap, was historically performed with a handheld mechanical microkeratome using a metal blade. Today, Wolfe Eye Clinic surgeons are able to remove the mechanical cutting device and replace it with the precision of a laser.
IntraLase is the first all-computerized, all-laser approach to LASIK surgery. This approach offers our surgeons complete control over flap size, depth, location and hinge orientation. The minimally invasive technique creates very precise flaps and removes most of the surgical risk associated with making corneal flaps. The laser offers surgeons ease of operation and a way to create highly accurate, precise and reproducible incisions of any shape at any location or depth within the cornea. Such precision virtually eliminates corneal flap complications.
We have found that patients are excited to learn about this technology. The higher degree of comfort and safety, virtually no risk of flap complications and more predictable flap outcomes increase satisfaction in the experience and outcome. After creation of the corneal flap, the inner cornea is reshaped with the excimer laser to correct the refractive error. The end result is a more precise LASIK procedure. IntraLase was first available in Iowa at Wolfe Eye Clinic in 2002, and Wolfe Eye Clinic is still one of the few select practices to use the IntraLase laser in Iowa today.
Allegretto Wave Excimer Laser Technology
At Wolfe Eye Clinic we use the Allegretto Wave excimer laser by Wavelight. We are the only clinic in Iowa with this cutting edge technology. The Allegretto utilizes wavefront optimized ablation and features PerfectPulse technology, enabling wavefront-guided treatments. It also contains the Eye-Q eye tracking system and offers the fastest treatment times of any excimer laser available today. All of these features help to protect quality of vision and provides an increased level of safety for the patient. The Allegretto has the greatest FDA-approval treatment range as well, offering more patients with a higher level of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism the chance of independence from glasses and contact lenses.
What does this new technology mean for patients treated with the Allegretto Wave?
The Allegretto Wave can treat a larger area within the eye’s targeted treatment zone. This means a greatly reduced chance of side effects such as seeing halos around headlights and bright lights at night. These side effects can occur when, at night or in darkened rooms, the eye’s pupil widens and expands beyond the area of the cornea that received laser correction.
In clinical trials leading up to FDA approval of the Allegretto Wave...
- 60% of nearsighted patients achieved 20/16 vision, which is significantly better than 20/20.
- More than 98% of all patients achieved 20/40 or better vision outcomes, which would enable them to pass a driver’s test
- Patients’ reports of glare and night-driving glare improved after the treatment.
Why should you consider the Allegretto Wave?
Safety. PerfectPulse Technology accurately controls the energy level and placement of every laser pulse, enabled by an active eye tracker that reads eye movement 200 times per second.
Quality of Vision. Wavefront-optimization customizes the treatment to each person’s corneal curvature.
Performance. The Allegretto Wave is the fastest laser in the United States. Rapid treatment speed has been shown to increase predictability and reduce the incidence of complications.
