What Kind of Lasers Are Used in Laser Eye Surgery?

Despite the procedure being around for over 30 years, many people are understandably perplexed by the idea of Laser Eye Surgery. After all, it is natural to have an aversion to lasers, right? But the lasers we use for Laser Eye Surgery are a far cry from those seen threatening James Bond or flying around in Star Wars films. So, what kind of lasers are used in Laser Eye Surgery?

The lasers we use to correct your refractive error have been meticulously developed to offer the highest possible precision. This allows us to provide the most accurate correction possible. Let’s take a closer look at some of the world-class technology used at the London Vision Clinic.

World-Class Laser Technology

As one of the world’s leading providers of Laser Eye Surgery, we have access to the very latest technology. But our expert surgeons don’t just train with specialist technology – they help design it.

There are two types of laser used in Laser Eye Surgery at the London Vision Clinic: the Carl Zeiss Meditec MEL 90 excimer laser and the Carl Zeiss Meditec VisuMax Femtosecond laser.

The Carl Zeiss Meditec VisuMax Femtosecond Laser

Before your surgeon can begin to reshape your cornea, they first need to access it. In early procedures, this was achieved using a microkeratome (a tiny oscillating blade). Thankfully, today this can be achieved using an extremely precise laser.

The Meditec VisuMax Femtosecond Laser is used to create a precise incision in the surface layer of the cornea. Its unique accuracy ensures that pressure in the eye remains stable, which in turn ensures you feel no pain during the procedure.

The Carl Zeiss Meditec MEL 90 Excimer Laser

Excimer lasers are the primary type of laser used in Laser Eye Surgery. The excimer laser employs ultraviolet light to break down molecular bonds in the tissue of the cornea. This allows your surgeon to reshape the cornea to extremely precise criteria.

And don’t worry, as Professor Reinstein demonstrates in the video below – the laser isn’t hot!

“It is a specific wavelength which is absorbed very efficiently by the cornea. It is an extremely light-touch laser and doesn’t cause any harm.  You can put your hand under it and nothing happens.”

The MEL 90 Excimer laser has a spot size (the size of the laser beam) of around 0.7mm, allowing for a higher degree of precision during treatment.

Our founder and expert laser eye surgeon, Professor Dan Reinstein, was part of the Carl Zeiss team that developed the MEL 80 and MEL 90 lasers – the latter of which has now proven to be the most accurate LASIK laser in the world.

Laser Eye Surgery Technology Explained Further…

Our laser eye surgeons use the Carl Zeiss MEL 90 Excimer laser and the VisuMax Femtosecond laser because they feature the latest advances in laser technology, and bring the clearest advantages and highest benefits to our patients.

A high-quality laser is extremely important when performing Laser Eye Surgery, but a laser eye surgeon who has the experience and expertise to use that laser is critical to successful treatment. Thankfully, here at London Vision Clinic, we have both!

To learn more about the technology used at our Harley Street clinic, or to Book a Consultation for Laser Eye Surgery, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators today.