Facts about Femto LASIK
| Treatment Method: | Femtosecond laser |
|---|---|
| Suitable for: | Cases of visual impairment; individual suitability determined through preliminary examination |
| Treatment Duration: | Approx. 20–25 minutes for both eyes |
| Anesthesia: | Locally anesthetizing eye drops |
| Hospital Stay: | Outpatient procedure |
| Aftercare: | - Protect eyes with sunglasses - No rubbing of the eyes for 24 hours - Protect eyes from any contaminants (water, sweat, etc.) for at least one week |
A quick procedure – even for relatively high levels of refractive error
The Femto-LASIK method is a more advanced and gentler development of the first generation of LASIK, which still involved mechanical instruments – using a blade. LASIK refers to the creation of a corneal flap. With Femto-LASIK, this flap is created using a femtosecond laser, which significantly reduces the risk of complications related to the incision. This approach is more precise and allows for faster healing compared to the original method.
Femto-LASIK – Laser Treatment with Flap
The femtosecond laser creates a small corneal flap. This flap is gently lifted, allowing the underlying corneal tissue to be reshaped to correct the refractive error.
The small corneal flap is created using the VisuMax® femtosecond laser by Carl Zeiss Meditec AG. Afterwards, the cornea is precisely reshaped by the eye surgeon using the excimer laser to restore the eye’s optimal refractive power and thus ensure clear vision.
A special eye tracker monitors the eye during the procedure and ensures that the laser remains perfectly aligned with it. Afterwards, the flap is closed again and reattaches on its own within just a few seconds. The same process is then performed on the second eye. The procedure is outpatient and typically takes no longer than 20–25 minutes for both eyes.
Advantages of Femto-LASIK
Femto-LASIK is a well-established method of laser eye surgery and is associated with extensive experience and positive outcomes in our clinics.
- highly precise
- fast healing process
- suitable for farsightedness up to +3.00 dpt
- also suitable for astigmatism
Procedure of Femto-LASIK
We take your needs seriously!
That’s why our team supports you throughout the entire treatment process and takes care of you every step of the way.
1
Preliminary Examination
Thorough preliminary examination –
Am I a suitable candidate?
Every laser eye treatment begins with a careful preliminary examination. During this, the physiology of the eye and your current visual impairment are precisely assessed. In a detailed consultation, we will then inform you about all possible treatment options, including their respective chances and risks.
Determining your suitability for laser eye surgery is done with great responsibility, always taking into account your individual needs and conditions.
To ensure accurate results, please do not wear contact lenses before the examination: discontinue soft contact lenses at least 7 days before the appointment, and hard contact lenses at least 3 weeks in advance.
2
On the Day of Treatment
Preparing for the Procedure
Please refrain from wearing contact lenses for two days before the treatment. On the day of the procedure itself, do not apply any cosmetic products such as creams or makeup around the eyes.
After you are welcomed at our clinic at the scheduled appointment time, your treating physician will calmly review all the details with you once again. It is completely normal to feel a bit nervous. If you do not feel relaxed after the consultation, we are happy to offer a mild sedative upon request.
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and takes approximately 20 minutes for both eyes.
3
The Treatment
Optimizing Your Vision
After a thorough explanation and preparation, you will be taken to the treatment room. Anesthetic eye drops will be applied to locally numb your eyes. To minimize eye movement during the procedure, a lid speculum will be used to keep the eye open, while the other eye is gently covered. The eye to be treated is softly fixed in place using a special contact glass, and the surgery can begin.
The laser eye treatment is performed while you are lying down. Your only task is to relax and follow the instructions of our staff. First, a femtosecond laser is used to create the flap. This flap is carefully lifted, and the surgeon uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea. Safety systems such as the so-called eye tracker ensure a secure and precise procedure. The corneal flap is then repositioned and seals naturally.
To protect the eye, a therapeutic contact lens is placed after the Femto-LASIK treatment. This will be removed by our doctors after a few days.
4
After the Procedure
Seeing Clearly Without Glasses
Once the treatment is completed, the laser vision correction is fully done. Please have a trusted companion, family member, or friend pick you up, as you will not be able to drive yourself. We recommend wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes and help them gently adjust to the new conditions.
In the first 24 hours, avoid rubbing your eyes or washing your hair. Please also refrain from activities such as swimming or going to the sauna for 1–2 weeks.
A follow-up examination about 4 weeks after the surgery will confirm full recovery and the success of the treatment.
Possible Risks
Every surgical procedure carries some risk. Thanks to the high standards in our clinics, we strive to minimize these risks and have had excellent experience in doing so.
Potential occurrences related to Femto-LASIK:
- Loss of vacuum can occur due to head movement; however, treatment can usually be continued immediately.
- Flap complications are reduced to a minimum thanks to the precision of the femtosecond laser.
- Infections may occur, but are rare if the recommended post-operative care is followed, such as using eye drops and attending follow-up appointments.
- In some rare cases, a follow-up correction may be necessary if the result is not yet optimal.
- Very rarely, deformation of the cornea (known as keratectasia) can occur. In such cases, special contact lenses, corneal cross-linking with UV light, or the implantation of a stabilizing ring segment can provide relief.
Frequently Asked Questions about Femto-LASIK
What is Femto-LASIK?
Femto-LASIK is an advanced version of the traditional LASIK treatment. In LASIK, the corneal flap is created using a blade, whereas in Femto-LASIK, it is made with a femtosecond laser. This minimizes potential complications related to the incision.
Femto-LASIK is therefore a precise and gentle laser eye procedure that allows for faster healing compared to the LASIK method.
What is a femtosecond laser?
The femtosecond laser is a high-precision laser that works with infrared light pulses in the femtosecond range (to be exact: 0.000000000000001 seconds). The tissue in the cornea is separated at a precisely calculated location through a conversion process of laser energy into mechanical energy. Due to the extremely short interaction time, thermal damage is prevented and the tissue is preserved.
The femtosecond laser technology forms the basis of ZEISS’s VisuMax®, currently the highest standard in eye laser surgery. Since 2013, the Dirisamer-Luft-Priglinger team has been using the SMILE method with this device.
Can the corneal flap created during the Femto-LASIK procedure detach again after treatment?
After the treatment, the corneal flap reattaches firmly to the eyeball through adhesion. Theoretically, detachment is possible, but in practice, our experience shows that this only occurs in very rare cases and usually due to strong external impacts. The ReLEx SMILE procedure is even safer, as it is minimally invasive and corrects the refractive power without having to lift the corneal flap.
Of course, the experience and skill of the doctor play a major role in every case. For more information, please call us or attend our next information evening.
Is Femto LASIK safe?
LASIK has been used for more than 25 years as a reliable method to correct vision impairments. The advanced Femto LASIK procedure has also proven to be a safe eye laser method, as the use of the femtosecond laser makes it safer than the original technique.
Of course, the experience and skill of the doctor always play a major role. For more information, please call us or attend our next information evening.
Femto-LASIK or SMILE?
Where we have so far been able to reassure patients based on experience, there is now scientific proof: wound healing is similarly above average with both methods.
It is always good to see experience supported by clear scientific evidence, and this is something we want to pass on to our patients as well.
Eye laser treatments are no longer new, and many patients come to our practices well-informed—either through their own initiative or after attending one of our information evenings—where we often fill in the details and provide further explanations before the preliminary examination.
The currently most well-known eye laser method is SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction). It is considered the gentlest and most effective method at the moment. Excess corneal tissue is loosened with a femtosecond laser and removed through a minimal incision.
How long does Femto-LASIK eye laser surgery last?
The correction of refractive errors is a permanent change to your vision. If the growth of the eye is not yet complete, young patients may experience a return of refractive errors after some time. However, this is rare.
Eye laser treatments are no longer new, and many patients come to our clinics well-informed—either through their own research or by attending one of our informational evenings—where we often provide detailed explanations and clarifications before the pre-examination takes place.
The currently most well-known eye laser method is SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction). It is considered the gentlest and most effective method at present. Excess corneal tissue is loosened with a femtosecond laser and removed through a minimal incision.
How long does the healing take after Femto-LASIK eye laser surgery?
Right after the eye laser treatment, your vision is still blurry, and your eye may tear. Usually, you can see quite well without glasses already on the first day after the procedure.
How much does Femto LASIK cost?
Laser eye surgery at our clinics costs from €2,000 per eye, depending on the method used. We will gladly inform you about the exact price for your individual case during the preliminary examination.
Who is Femto LASIK not suitable for?
Femto LASIK is not recommended for patients who participate in contact sports such as boxing. In the event of severe eye injuries, for example from a punch, the prepared flap could shift or detach.
CONTACT
Ophthalmology Clinic Linz
Weissenwolffstraße 13, 3rd Floor
4020 Linz
Office Hours
Phone Consultation Hours
MON, WED, THU 09:00 AM – 6:00 PM
TUE 09:00 AM - 4:00 PM
FRI 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Appointment Days
By appointment only
Ophthalmology Clinic Wien
Habsburgergasse 10, 4th Floor
1010 Wien