The LADAR 6000 excimer laser with high-speed ablation (Alcon) offers excellent visual outcomes, according to Ángel López Castro of Spain, speaking at the Alcon symposium.
Dr López Castro conducted a study comparing conventional and custom treatments using the LADAR system. A total of 115 eyes were enrolled in the study with 110 receiving the custom LASIK and 14 the conventional treatment.
At three months, two-thirds of eyes in the custom group were within 0.25 D mean refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE) of their intended target, compared with around half of those in the conventional treatment group. 70% of eyes achieved a postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) equal to or better than their preoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) as opposed to just 57% of the conventionally treated group.
López Castro discussed what he sees as the benefits of the new system: more surgeon control, enhanced ergonomics, improved patient comfort. Finally he remarked on the LADAR 6000's speed; it is 50% faster than Alcon's previous system. Treatments can now be completed in less than 60 seconds, which may offer potential postoperative benefits.
Dr López Castro concluded that the LADAR 6000 is able to offer good visual outcomes for the patient whilst also offering the surgeon a more efficient, simpler-to-use system.
Ophthalmology Times Europe reporting from the XXIV Congress of the ESCRS, London, 9-13 September, 2006.
