Eyeworld Supplements

6 Surgeon says the FS200 laser is a relatively worry-free device that delivers consistently good outcomes with confidence I recall that when I was using a mechanical microkeratome for LASIK, I always had the feeling that I was at the end of a 3- meter diving board about to make a dive—there was a sense, however faint, of unease. Using a similar analogy, upgrad- ing to femtosecond technology was like being on a 1-meter board, but performing a more difficult dive like a one-and-a-half. Upgrading to the new WaveLight FS200 femtosecond laser (Alcon, Fort Worth, Texas) was as simple as swimming laps. You just need to dive into the water from the starting block and apply steady ef- fort and good turns to perform well. I have performed about 300 cases since the installation of the FS200 laser in the summer of 2011, and I can say it's not only a nice addition to the practice, but my anxiety level has been substantially reduced using it compared to other flap-cutting devices. I don't get nervous about what it's going to do. It accomplishes fast, safe, and precise flaps. Suction is acquired gently and gradually, and it is not high so there's no pain, intense pressure, or momentary complete loss of vision. The laser only takes about 6 seconds to create the flap and then the suction is gently released. Many patients feel like they have experienced almost nothing— many feel like they expected more to happen and they're delighted to find out that it's over. That being said, because this is surgery, flap complications are always a possibil- ity, and I make sure my patients un- derstand that. I used to say that the hard part is done and the easy part (the excimer laser) is coming. Now I just say we are done with this (femtosecond) part and the next part is coming. Many patients remark something to the effect of, "Oh, that's interesting, I hardly knew anything happened." For them, this is a non-event—no sense EW Chicago 2012 Monday, April 23, 2012 6 No more high dives: The FS200 laser is anxiety free, like swimming laps by James Davison, M.D. Figure 1. The glass surface area is 30% greater with the FS200 laser versus the IntraLase Figure 2. Gas is exiting the superior canal vent through the conjunctiva during 9.0 mm flap creation in a hyperope. The edge of the active applanation can be seen peripherally Figure 3. Dr. Davison's foot is pressing on the left footswitch to activate the laser. He had used the right one to activate suction " Upgrading to the new WaveLight FS200 femtosecond laser was as simple as swimming laps " James Davison, M.D. Please refer to pages 10-12 for important safety information about the Alcon surgical products described in this supplement.

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