Irises are like fingerprints in that no two patterns are the same, and this fact is quite useful to LASIK surgeons in customizing treatments for patients. For best treatment outcomes, however, surgeons must also have the ability to accurately map the structures of the iris and align treatment to the eye.
The laser eye correction industry has always been looking for ways to minimize windows of risk during laser eye treatment and provide patients the highest level of accuracy in vision correction. Iris Registration (IR) fills that role. Dr. Amjad Khokhar, head surgeon on the Houston LASIK & Eye, likens the technology to missile guidance systems in its accuracy and treatment-to-cornea alignment capability.
What is Iris Registration technology?
How does it work?
Iris Registration is a fully automated, non-contact method of measuring and marking the eye. It is considered the most accurate procedure available for Wavefront-guided laser eye surgery today.
To better understand how IR works, let’s walk through its main features:
- Iris mapping
IR uses infrared illumination to allow the camera to scan and create an extremely detailed map of the patient’s irises. The digital information is then transferred directly to the laser for treatment. iLASIK surgeons also use the information to create personalized treatment plans for their patients.
- Accurate alignment
Previously, eye doctors have to manually align treatment to the cornea. They do this by making a small mark in the eye. While this method is helpful in preventing surgeons from operating on the wrong eye, it’s not 100% accurate. Since the eyes move during surgery, their current positions do not always match the Wavefront scans created in the office.
IR, on the other hand, compensates for changes in eye positioning. During the LASIK procedure when you are laid down, the eye rotates anywhere by 2 to 15 degrees. IR realigns the laser head to the same amount your eyes rotated. Hence, changes in pupil size or eye rotations won’t affect the outcome of the treatment.
- Auto Centration
During treatment, the laser scans and locks to the center of your pupil. This ensures that the treatment is centered correctly.
- Active Eye Tracker
The integrated 3D active track allows the laser to track tiny movements in your eye in all three dimensions, and then repositions the laser head to match the position in the Wavefront scan. The laser won’t release beams until the eye is properly aligned.
- Patient Iris Verification
Before you eye doctor can start using the laser, the machine scans the iris to make sure that the patient’s iris matches the registered iris for the treatment plan to be used. As such, operator error is minimized.
What does IR Technology mean for me?
Sugarland Eye & Laser Center is one of the few facilities in Houston to take accuracy in iLASIK surgery to a new level by adopting this amazing technology. As such, patients have the peace of mind that they get the treatment personalized to their specific eye conditions and that they can always get the ultimate visual quality.
Houston LASIK & Eye leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The Center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Houston LASIK & Eye, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478.
Sources:
http://www.escrs.org/PUBLICATIONS/EUROTIMES/08may/Irisregistrationtechnology.pdf
