Dr. Mandel uses both the Allegretto Wavelight and VISX S4
wavefront and tracking lasers.
Laser surgery is performed by Dr. Mandel at Horizon
Vision laser surgery centers in Concord, Campbell and San Leandro.
Traditionally, the excimer laser beam is centered on the
eye in a team approach between the patient and the surgeon. Specifically, the
patient is coached and encouraged to maintain fixation on a blinking light and
the surgeon, using a joy stick and subtle manipulations of the patient's head,
maintains fixation and centration on the patient's pupil.
Although most patients are concerned that they will be
unable to fixate on the light, in reality most people fixate extremely well.
However, there are some patients who have a difficult time fixating on the
light. Additionally, there are some medical conditions of the eye such as
nystagmus which prevent the patient from fixating.
We use the latest technology to ensure your safety by
employing only lasers with active tracking mechanisms. We perform surgery at
the only laser centers in Northern California to have both the VISX S4 Smooth
Scan active tracking laser, and the Allegretto Wavelight laser. Both of these
lasers (using slightly different mechanisms) actively track the patient's eye by
capturing an image of the eye faster than the laser can fire and faster than
one can move the eye. That image is then used to optically “freeze” the
position of eye so that the laser fires only at the center of the eye. This is
similar to the heads-up display in a fighter jet.
We have been thrilled with the results of both the VISX S4 and the Allegretto laser tracking systems. If, for no other eason, these systems have been very useful in allaying anxiety of patients afraid that they will not be able to "watch the light" during laser treatment.
