Excimer Lasers

The excimer laser is used for a range of laser eye surgeries, including LASIK, LASEK, and Photorefractive Keratectomy. A precise, safe, effective surgical tool, the excimer laser provides a non-invasive solution to vision impairment and an appealing alternative to corrective lenses. By permanently modifying the shape of the cornea and correcting corneal irregularity, the excimer laser can alter light refraction onto the retina, improving vision and eliminating the symptoms associated with myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. If you suffer from poor vision, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, laser vision correction can open your eyes to a whole new world.

Learn more about the many different types of excimer lasers that have received FDA-approval for use during LASIK, PRK, and other laser eye correction procedures. Thoroughly researching a procedure, including the risks, benefits, possible side effects, and tools used during treatment, can provide you with realistic expectations for the outcome and allow you to make an informed decision regarding your vision. We aim to provide the resources you need to answer any questions you may have, both through our DocShop Education catalog and our DocShop network of doctors.

Excimer Lasers for LASIK

Company and model	Approval No. and Date	Approved indications (D = diopters)
Autonomous Technology - LADARVision	P970043/S5 5/9/00	Myopia less than -9.0D with or without astigmatism from -0.5 to -3.0D
Bausch & Lomb Surgical - Technolas 217a	P990027 2/23/00	Myopia from -1.0 to -7.0D with or without astigmatism less than -3.0D
Dishler	P970049 12/16/99	Myopia from -0.5 to -13.0D with or without astigmatism between -0.5 to -4.0D
Kremer	P970005 7/30/98	Myopia from -1.0 to -15.0D with or without astigmatism less then -5.0D
Nidek - EC5000	P970053/S2 4/14/00	Myopia from -1.0 to -14.0D with or without astigmatism less than 4.0D
Summit - Apex Plus	P930034/S13 10/21/99	Hyperopia less than 6.0D with or without astigmatism less than -6.0D
Summit Autonomous - LADARVision	P970043/S7 9/22/00	Hyperopia less than 6.0D with or without astigmatism less than -6.0D
VISX - Star S2 & S3	P930016/S12 4/27/01	Hyperopia between +0.5 and +5.0D with or without astigmatism up to +3.0D
VISX - Star S2	P990010 11/19/99	Myopia less than -14.0D with or without astigmatism between -0.5 and -5.0D
VISX - Star S3 (EyeTracker)	P990010/S1 4/20/00	Same as S2, except with eye tracker
VISX - Star S4 (EyeTracker)	P990010/S1 5/23/03	Offers 3-D eye tracking, variable spot beam technology, larger ablation zones, and automatic eye alignment.

Excimer Lasers for PRK and Other Refractive Surgeries

Company and model	Approval No. and Date	Approved indications (D = diopters)
Autonomous Technology - LADARVision	P970043/S5 5/9/00	Myopia less than -9.0D with or without astigmatism from -0.5 to -3.0D
Bausch & Lomb Surgical - Technolas 217a	P990027 2/23/00	Myopia from -1.0 to -7.0D with or without astigmatism less than -3.0D
Dishler	P970049 12/16/99	Myopia from -0.5 to -13.0D with or without astigmatism between -0.5 to -4.0D
Kremer	P970005 7/30/98	Myopia from -1.0 to -15.0D with or without astigmatism less then -5.0D
Nidek - EC5000	P970053/S2 4/14/00	Myopia from -1.0 to -14.0D with or without astigmatism less than 4.0D
Summit - Apex Plus	P930034/S13 10/21/99	Hyperopia less than 6.0D with or without astigmatism less than -6.0D
Summit Autonomous - LADARVision	P970043/S7 9/22/00	Hyperopia less than 6.0D with or without astigmatism less than -6.0D
VISX - Star S2 & S3	P930016/S12 4/27/01	Hyperopia between +0.5 and +5.0D with or without astigmatism up to +3.0D
VISX - Star S2	P990010 11/19/99	Myopia less than -14.0D with or without astigmatism between -0.5 and -5.0D
VISX - Star S3 (EyeTracker)	P990010/S1 4/20/00	Same as S2, except with eye tracker

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