IMPROVING TELESCOPE MIRRORS, AND SIGHT

What do deep space telescopes and your eyes have in common? More than you would think. Both involve complex optical systems and one imperfection can mean flawed vision. Here’s a story about turning a miscalculation into a positive result by applying science in new and inventive ways – ultimately leading to an advanced LASIK procedure.

In 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope launched with an error in its main mirror, blurring the images it sent back during its first years in orbit. In 2018, NASA will launch the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the successor to the Hubble. This new, larger telescope will transmit high resolution images of deep space back to earth, and is traveling much further out in space.

What NASA scientists learned from Hubble was that even the slightest imperfection on the mirror surface can make for a blurry image and reduced ability to see into the distance. To help the mirrors in the JWST be absolutely perfect, NASA used a sensor technology developed by Abbott scientists to measure them, ensuring they are engineered precisely without any flaws.

This technology that's ensuring clear vision for the JWST is the same technology that's now being used to help people see better. Abbott has just launched the iDesign Advanced WaveScan Studio System in the United States, a measurement and treatment tool that uses the same sensor to create precise, personalized LASIK treatment. The system acts as the "brain" of the LASIK procedure, generating a high-definition scan that measures and maps irregularities of the eye that may impact vision. With this scan, doctors today can now see details of the eye that they couldn't see before.

Today, sight on both an intergalactic and an interpersonal scale can be ensured by the same revolutionary sensor—both of great importance, both in focus.

To learn more about our iDesign technology, click here.

Indications and Important Safety Information

Caution:
U.S. Federal Law restricts this device to sale, distribution, and use by or on the order of a physician or other licensed eye care practitioner.

Indications:
Advanced CustomVue LASIK (laser assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a customized wavefront-guided laser surgery procedure that uses the iDesign Advanced WaveScan Studio System to measure visual imperfections of your eye and the STAR S4 IR Excimer Laser to permanently reshape the cornea. Advanced CustomVue LASIK treatment is used to correct, or reduce myopia (nearsightedness) with and without astigmatism for patients 18 years of age and older and whose vision has been stable for at least one year. Only eye care professionals trained in laser vision correction can determine whether you are a suitable candidate.

Contraindications:
You should not have LASIK if you have collagen vascular (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), autoimmune (e.g., lupus), or immunodeficiency diseases (e.g., AIDS) because they affect the body’s ability to heal. You should not have this procedure if you are pregnant or nursing; show signs of corneal abnormalities or corneal thinning; have symptoms of significant dry eyes; advanced glaucoma; and uncontrolled diabetes. If you have severely dry eyes, LASIK may increase the dryness, may delay healing after surgery, may or may not go away and it may result in poor vision after LASIK.

Warning and Precautions:
LASIK is not recommended if you have cataracts, corneal scars, or dry eye syndrome; glaucoma; diabetes; severe allergies; history of Herpes simplex or Herpes zoster keratitis; are taking Isotretinoin (Accutane^®), Sumatriptan (Imitrex^®), Amiodarone hydrochloride (Cordarone^®) or antimetabolites for any medical conditions; history of crossed eyes; previous corneal, intraocular surgery, LASIK or refractive surgery; family history of degenerative corneal disease; and history of inflammation of the eye. Your doctor will examine your eyes to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure. Talk to your doctor about any eye-related conditions, injuries, or surgeries you have had, any medications you are taking, and any changes to your vision in the past year. After surgery, you may find it more difficult to see in conditions such as dim light, rain, snow, fog, or glare from bright lights at night. Future measurements of your eye pressure or future cataract surgery can be affected by this procedure. Tell your future doctor you’ve had Advanced CustomVue LASIK surgery.

Risks:
As with any surgical procedure there are risks associated with Advanced CustomVue LASIK treatments. It is important to discuss these risks with your doctor before you make any decision to have the surgery. If the results of the surgery are not satisfactory, your doctor may want to perform additional laser treatment in either one or both eyes. Talk to your doctor about what is best for you. Some risks are related to the creation of the corneal flap. Corneal flap complications include but are not limited to: cutting an incomplete, irregular flap or free flap; misalignment of the flap; and perforation of the cornea. Corneal flap complications range in severity from those that simply require the treatment to be postponed for several months, to those which create corneal irregularities resulting in permanently blurred vision. You may need reading glasses even if you did not wear them before. Your vision may not be perfect, and you may need to wear glasses or contact lenses for some activities even after laser vision correction.

Side Effects:
Possible side effects include loss of vision and visual disturbances such as double vision, sensitivity to bright lights, increased difficulty with night vision, fluctuations in vision, and other visual irregularities that may be debilitating.

Please consult with your eye care professional and carefully review the Patient Information Booklet regarding the potential risks and benefits of this procedure. Results may vary for each individual patient.