The Excimer laser was first developed in the early eighties. It is a cold-light laser that permits to vaporize tiny portions of cornea without direct contact. The removal (ablation) of tissue changes the refractive power of the cornea, correcting the visual defect. The treatment of a visual defect by laser usually takes about 30 seconds. In this time, about 3000 laser pulses are targeted onto the area of the cornea where tissue is to be removed. Each pulse vaporizes a segment of corneal tissue with a depth of 0.00025 mm and a surface of about 0.2 mm2. An individual pulse lasts no longer than 0.002 thousandths of a second. A series of precisely targeted laser pulses shapes the cornea into the predefined form to achieve the correction.

Besides the highly precise and delicate tissue ablation with the Excimer laser, a series of techniques and factors play an essential role for the success of the treatment:

• Femtosecond laser
• Eye tracking with iris biometry
• Aberrometer
• Corneal analysis
• Safety
• Customized laser programming
• Special programs
• etc

The Excimer laser is used today for Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK, as well as LASEK and EPI-LASIK) and for Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK).

Our laser systems are controlled by ultrarapid infrared eye-tracking systems. This ensures that
even if the patient is nervous or agitated, the laser beam is always targeted exactly to the point where tissue must be removed. Special radiation profiles allow ultrafine corrections, so that even so-called higher-order aberrations can be corrected, without renouncing the proven advantage of a smooth ablation. The resulting optical quality is impressive and especially improves vision under twilight conditions.

It is our aim to always keep the techniques we use on the highest and most up-to-date level. VEDIS uses different lasers for the correction of visual defects. Each has its own particularities. Whereas one laser offers additional benefits for laser operations guided by topography or aberrometry, another system is better suited for the treatment of extreme inequalities of curvature of the cornea. For our patients, we always choose the method and the laser with which the best result can be expected. Through its status as Lead Clinic, VEDIS has early access to the latest developments in laser technique.

At the VEDIS eye laser centers many operations are performed with the Excimer laser SCHWIND AMARIS. The laser has unique characteristics, that guarantee a perfect balance between very high speed and precision of the treatment.
It operates two to three times as fast as other lasers. 500 minute light impulses per second model the surface of the cornea. Conventional devices generally operate at only 15 to 400 laser pulses per second. In less than 2.5 seconds the laser eliminates one diopter, while an ablation corresponding to eight diopters takes only 20 seconds.

An automatic energy level adjustment permits the highest precision. The laser at first uses a very high energy for the corneal ablation. About 80 per cent of the tissue to be eliminated are thus removed. The residual 20 per cent are modeled with a gentler beam to achieve a particularly smooth surface and thus perfect sight.

The highest priority: safety
It is its unique eye-tracking system that makes the SCHWIND AMARIS very fast and very safe at the same time. 1050 times per second, the turbo eye tracker records the movement of the eye during the treatment. The eye tracker is thus more than twice as fast as the laser itself, and the laser beam is always positioned perfectly. The reaction time is less than three thousands of a second. Conventional eye-tracking systems are markedly slower, recording not 1050 shots per second but only 60 to 330. Furthermore, the system records eye movements with a unique eye tracking system in all five dimensions (eye rolling).

The newest technology in the best hands
The best technology in the world only affords the best results if it is handled by an experienced team. At VEDIS, the team endeavors to always be a step ahead of the technology, because only a comprehensive know-how makes the most efficient use of modern technology possible. The knowledge of our specialist physicians, combined with the most up-to-date technology, allows us to offer the optimal treatment management to our clients at the VEDIS eye laser centers.

Find technical details of the Schwind Amaris here.

The ZEISS MEL 80 EXCIMER laser is among the newest generation of high-frequency lasers. The experience and technological know-how of CARL ZEISS MEDITEC find their highest expression in this device.

The short pulse time of this laser further decreases the time of treatment. This reduces the strain on  the eye and visual acuity is recovered faster after the operation. The distinctive radiation profile of this laser allows special applications.

You will find more information on this device under:
www.meditec.zeiss.de/