The world’s fastest and most precise refractive laser suite designed specifically for LASIK arrives this week at the new state-of-the-art Laser Center at The Eye Physicians & Surgeons of Augusta (The Eye Guys), according to leading eye surgeon Bradley A. Bertram, M.D., who said the new Wavelight Refractive Suite is truly the ‘Next Generation’ in LASIK technology.

“With most LASIK treatment times under 10 seconds, this breakthrough laser technology is taking the popular LASIK procedure to the next level in terms of safety, precision, accuracy and results,” Dr. Bertram pointed out. “Faster treatment times enhance the visual recovery process and improve outcomes because there is less trauma to the eye.” 

The Eye Guys are the first group of ophthalmologists in the country to receive the Wavelight Refractive Suite that features WaveNet technology. “My partners and I are obviously extremely proud to be the first and only practice in the entire country to offer the benefits of this advanced technology to our patients,” Dr. Bertram said. The Wavelight Refractive Suite is the only Excimer laser system designed specifically for LASIK. It includes the combination of the all-new Wavelight EX500 Excimer laser (used during the second step of the LASIK procedure), in combination with the Wavelight FS200 femtosecond laser (utilized in the first step). 

“As refractive surgeons, we are always researching ways to improve refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism,” said eye surgeon Herbert P. Fechter, M.D. “This new Wavelight Refractive LASIK Suite allows for a much greater degree of safety and accuracy that allows us to further fine tune surgical treatment plans for each of our patients,” he said, adding that higher laser speeds allow for faster treatment times and less time that the patient needs to be in surgery.  

“The EX500 Excimer laser uses the largest true optical treatment zone in the LASIK industry,” said Beau Gardner, M.D.  “These larger treatment zones - along with the use of Perfect Pulse Technology - allow us to optimize the result of each patient.”  The Wavelight Refractive Suite has many advanced safety features built into this laser, including the ability to instantaneously check the thickness of the cornea immediately before and after the treatment, a feature only available on this laser.  “This is the greatest advancement for LASIK in the ophthalmic industry in a decade, and we are proud to be the only practice in Augusta that offers this advanced technology,” Dr. Gardner said. 

The Wavelight EX500 Excimer laser is the most advanced in the line of the ultra-fast flying spot lasers.  Current laser technology has a treatment speed of 6-20 pulses per second.  The Wavelight EX500 laser has a treatment speed of 500 pulses per second, making it the fastest in the world, and up to 80 times faster than other technology available today.  These high speeds of correction lead to less patient fatigue, improved patient comfort, and less incidence of corneal drying. This results in more precise outcomes.

To go along with the speed of the treatment, the Wavelight EX500 is also equipped with the fastest multi-dimensional tracker in the world. “Our new eye-tracking technology is able to track eye movement at an amazing 1,050 times per second,” said Bruce A. Brown, M.D. “This is ten times faster than the human eye is capable of moving,” he said, adding, “this advanced tracking insures the most precise delivery of treatment and perfectly complements the speed of the laser. This allows our surgeons to ensure the laser spots are placed exactly where they need to be.”

To compliment the world’s fastest Excimer laser, the Wavelight FS200 femtosecond laser is designed to deliver highly precise and predictable outcomes. “We’re now able to create a custom flap to the specific needs of a patient in approximately 6 seconds,” said Ryan Smith, MD. “A flap created with the WaveLight FS200 heals more securely than a flap created by the traditional microkeratome blade, which is still used by some LASIK providers, resulting in a flap that is stronger and more resistant to injury,” he said.