The first step in every LASIK surgery is the creation of a flap of corneal tissue. This flap acts like a natural bandage over the corneal tissue that's re-shaped with an excimer laser and makes recovery from LASIK quick and essentially pain-free.
The corneal flaps in LASIK surgery have traditionally been created with a bladed instrument called a microkeratome. IntraLase Corp. makes a special laser that can create flaps without the need for a blade, allowing surgeons to offer a safer, all-laser LASIK experience. The IntraLase laser can be used in conjunction with any type of LASIK listed below. To learn more, visit the IntraLase Facts website. 

VISX Advanced CustomVue LASIK is the most popular wavefront-guided LASIK procedure in the United States. Advanced CustomVue includes Iris Registration technology — a fully automated method of precisely aligning your unique wavefront correction to ensure the most accurate laser vision treatment possible. In 2007, Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) purchased VISX and IntraLase Corp. to combine the two leading LASIK technologies and become the dominant leader in the laser vision correction field. To learn more about VISX Advanced CustomVue LASIK, visit AMO's Personal Best Vision website.  

CustomCornea is Alcon's customized, wavefront-guided LASIK procedure provided by their LADARVision excimer laser system. The LADARVision system includes the LADARWave wavefront measuring device that creates a detailed three-dimensional map of your unique visual distortions, and eye-tracking technology designed by NASA to ensure accurate placement of the excimer laser beam for exceptionally accurate vision correction. In 2007, Alcon announced its plans to purchase rival WaveLight AG's Allegretto Wave LASIK system and become the world's second-largest laser vision correction device manufacturer. For more information about CustomCornea LASIK, visit Alcon's LADARVision website. 

Allegretto Wave is a LASIK system developed by WaveLight AG (Erlangen, Germany). The company offers two types of LASIK technology: a wavefront-guided procedure that addresses multiple high order aberrations (HOA), and a wavefront-optimized procedure that addresses a specific type of HOA called spherical aberration. The Allegretto Wave system includes the fastest excimer laser available today, delivering 400 laser pulses per second (4 times faster than other lasers), and an ultra-fast eye tracking system for extremely accurate positioning of the laser beam during treatment. For more about Allegretto Wave LASIK, visit WaveLight AG's Allegretto Wave website.  

Zyoptix is Bausch & Lomb's personalized vision correction system. (The complete name of Zyoptix LASIK for regulatory purposes is: "TECHNOLAS 217z Zyoptix System for Personalized Vision Correction.") The Zyoptix system includes the Zylink Treatment Calculator, consisting of proprietary software nomograms that create customized laser treatments for superior visual outcomes. According to data on file at Bausch & Lomb, 95% of Zyoptix LASIK patients attain 20/20 uncorrected visual acuity after surgery. About 10% of LASIK surgeons in the U.S. offer Bausch & Lomb Zyoptix LASIK. For more about Zyoptix LASIK, visit Bausch & Lomb's Zyoptix website.