How do they create the LASIK flap?

The flap involves making an incision in the circular strip of the outer corneal tissue, then separating it from the underlying stroma. However, one segment of the tissue remains attached by not completing the circle – thus, a small portion of the cornea acts like a hinge.

When was the femtosecond laser invented?

Femtosecond laser technology was first developed by Dr. Kurtz at the University of Michigan in the early 1990s [1] and was rapidly adopted in the surgical field of ophthalmology.

What laser is used to make corneal flaps?

excimer laser
LASIK uses an excimer laser (an ultraviolet laser) to remove a thin layer of corneal tissue. This gives the cornea a new shape so that light rays are focused clearly on the retina.

What is the name of the device used to create an epithelial flap?

While performing the surgery, the doctor creates a very thin flap within the cornea using a device referred to as a microkeratome which has high precision blades that oscillates.

Why is femtosecond used?

You may already be familiar with the femtosecond laser — it’s been used since 2001 in LASIK surgery to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The same laser technology can provide more refined and predictable results during cataract-removal surgery.

What is the meaning of femtosecond?

one quadrillionth
A femtosecond is the SI unit of time equal to 10-15 or 1⁄1 000 000 000 000 000 of a second; that is, one quadrillionth, or one millionth of one billionth, of a second. Its symbol is fs. A femtosecond is equal to 1000 attoseconds, or 1/1000 picosecond.

When did bladeless LASIK start?

Bladeless LASIK is a more recent technique that was first introduced in 1999 and approved by the FDA in 2007.

What is flap creation?

Every LASIK procedure begins with the creation of a LASIK flap in the cornea. In Step One, your doctor creates a micro-thin flap of tissue on the outer layer of your eye, also known as the cornea. The flap is important for rapid healing, increased safety, greater comfort and better vision.

What is femtosecond pulse laser?

A femtosecond laser is a laser which emits optical pulses with a duration well below 1 ps (→ ultrashort pulses), i.e., in the domain of femtoseconds (1 fs = 10−15 s). It thus also belongs to the category of ultrafast lasers or ultrashort pulse lasers (which also include picosecond lasers).