Quality Check – What to consider when deciding for a Lasik-Centre
In what follows we assembled a check list for you helping to distinguish where to undergo surgery without worries based on a number of pointed questions or whether an offer only appears to be a bargain while in fact it is all about substandard forms of treatment - its “price advantages” yet are mostly to be found in the use of outdated techniques.
- Consultation by an experienced ophthalmic specialist, Speciality: refractive surgery
The cornerstone for successful treatment is the thorough and conscientious examination of your eyes. Based on these results – together with you – the most suitable procedure is evaluated. All the risks and prospects are being reviewed openly and above board. This is how we make sure the final result meets your needs and expectations. - Pre-examination and consultation take about 2 hours
A thorough examination of your eyes takes time. As for matters of safety - besides the technical measurements the examination of all eye segments (including the dilation of the pupil) are necessary, that examination as well as the based upon subsequent consultation should take place only with the maximum possible diligence. - ORBISCAN II-examination
Using this device not only a map of the corneal front face may be compiled but the corneal rear face as well. Current terms are this is the only established device that can eliminate a “forme-fruste” of the keratoconus (rarefaction of the cornea – an absolute contra-indication to laser surgery). Solely an ultrasonic measurement is not sufficient in this case at all. - Very experienced surgeon
An decisive guarantor for surgical success – besides the technical equipment – is the very experienced (over 40.000 surgeries performed) and well trained surgeon who has experience as a senior physician at a university clinic. Daily surgical work and at least more than 3.000 eye surgeries throughout the year should be the standard. - All Laser Lasik (FemtoLASIK)
State-of-the-art Femto-lasers (criterion >1.000 kHz) allow a continuous surgical process (no exchange of operating tables) as well as immediate and unrestrained application of the safety-eye-tracker of the modern Excimer-laser (no wait between incision and treatment). Owing to the higher hertz-rate (outdated lasers use 15 - 60 kHz) patients' safety and convenience increase.
With the development of this laser technology making incisions with the previously used micro keratome (HH-knives and HH-planes) is not in keeping with the times. - Excimer-laser of the latest generation
The laser – as the centrepiece of treatment – is ought to be always operated with the latest hard- and software configurations. Devices that have not been updated for more than two years are outdated. At the same time this update is not to be equated with preventive maintenance. The necessity of proper maintenance goes without saying yet does it not alter the laser configuration and thereby does not have any influence on the actuality. - Flying Spot Laser
The laser moves a small beam (diameter 1 mm and 2 mm) over the cornea – following a cleverly worked out rhythm – so with each and every application full laser power can be utilised on the respective spot. The gas cloud – originating as a result of the laser usage on the according area – thereby may not attenuate the subsequent laser impulse. - Eye Tracking System
A rotatable beam mirror directs the laser beam accordingly to your eye movement. In this way it is guaranteed that even with slight movement the laser energy always reaches the designated spot. The misalignment of the attention zone thereby is prevented. - Eye tracker in x, y and z direction
Older eye tracking systems are only capable of compensating right-left (x-axis) and up-down (y-axis) movement. Modern devices furthermore detect forward and backward movement so the laser beam can be readjusted accordingly – prior to each and every laser impulse (up to 10.000 times per procedure). - Retinal scan
By means of a retinal scan system (iris photograph - borrowed from security technology) patients are identified. Respective pre-examinations where the iris is scanned are assigned and a personalised treatment is introduced. The increase of safety consists in the fact that neither the patient nor the eyes can be mistaken. - Dynamic compensation of rotation
By matching the iris with the data from the pre-examination a twist of the eye (so-called rotation) is compensated. (Way above 25% of people show this common phenomenon occurring when lying down as the balance system shifts its posture.) The displacement of the axis correction thereby can be prevented. This is particularly decisive for both the (aberrometric-/wave front- guided) LASIK and astigmatism correction. The dynamic (continuous correction) compensation of rotation thereby is vastly superior over older static or even manual marking methods. - Zone of treatment over 8 mm
In order to be enabled to see well also in gloaming and darkness the zone of treatment needs to be at least equal in size to the pupil diameter in darkness. Though maybe entirely unexpected, closely measured under night conditions (must be part of the pre-examination), patients often show pupil diameters of more than 7 or 8 mm with the result that laser treatment with older devices can lead to problems when driving at night (night vision/hemeralopia). - Individualised programs:
- (aberrometric / wave front) guided LASIK
Personal individualised treatment which even corrects defective refractions of the entire eye that could not be fixed by the means of glasses. Thereby halo-perceptions after the Lasik procedure are avoided and a better quality of vision – particularly of twilight vision – is reached as a whole. - Tissue Saving Lasik
Laser triggering program that specifically takes into account the special requirements of thin corneas and operates very tissue-conservingly. - Laser frequency 100 Hz
Due to the high frequency of the laser impulses treatment time is shortened, dehydration of the cornea is avoided and accuracy increased. The frequency and eye tracking system need to be coordinated so prior to each laser impulse it is adjusted accordingly. Very high laser frequencies (200 Hz and more) do not promote this kind of interaction and therefore do not necessarily provide the same precision in laser removal. In spite of that such frequencies lead to heating of tissue which entails thermal damage. By the utilisation of focuses of varying diameters and their mathematically optimised combination, with a frequency of up to 100 Hz – while treatment time stays the same or is even less – those risks can be ruled out.
- (aberrometric / wave front) guided LASIK
- The Lasik-Centre also offers all other surgical techniques for glasses correction. (corneal incisions, ICL, CLE, multi-focal lenses) In this way you have the guarantee that it is not lasered for all one is worth but the ideal procedure for your eyes is employed.
- The rate of people who due to medical reasons do not qualify for treatment is at about 25%
Not every eye is adapted for the procedure of choice that makes glasses redundant. In doing so safety is put before overeagerness. Calculable risks should be discussed in detail during a counselling interview.
The Ophthalmic Clinic and Lasik Centre at Gendarmenmarkt is equipped at the highest stage. Thereby the devices utilised are not only up-to-date but are devices that are coordinated perfectly and are used at leading eye-laser-clinics in Germany in this or similar configurations.
Besides the permanent updating of technological equipment the Ophthalmic Clinic especially focuses on the integrity and experience of the manufacturers. Feel free to examine competence and quality consciousness with the aid of the listed aspects. You may be certain that with us you can tick off each question. If you should have further questions on techniques, equipment, maintenance, software updating or on other medical services, our staff, nurses and doctors feel pleased to be at hand.
