Our Refractive Surgery Center uses the newest, state of the art technology for laser vision correction. This includes the OCULUS PENTACAM, iDESIGN, STAR S4 IR EXCIMER LASER, and INTRALASE iFS LASER. Please read below for details on each technology.

Oculus PENTACAM HR

Oculus Pentacam HR anterior segment tomography unit

The UC Berkeley Refractive Surgery Center will perform a thorough evaluation to determine if you are a candidate for laser vision correction. This includes a careful analysis of the cornea using the most advanced equipment, such as the Oculus Pentacam™ HR anterior segment tomography unit. The PENTACAM provides a high resolution scan and offers more information about the cornea than most other units available today. It is considered the gold standard in refractive surgery screening. Within a mere seconds, the PENTACAM provides precise diagnostic data of the entire anterior segment of the eye, including specifically the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces as well as a corneal thickness profile. This allows us to screen patients to make certain that they are good candidates for laser vision correction.

iDESIGN

iDESIGN Refractive Studio

The iDESIGN Refractive Studio™ is the first and only topography-integrated, wavefront-guided technology. Using a proprietary INSIDE+OUT approach that adds corneal topography measurements to the wavefront-guided procedure, iDESIGN offers a new level of treatment planning and customization for patients. 

iDESIGN scans your eye to obtain a complete and precise 3D map of your eye’s unique imperfections, capturing over 1,200 points of data per eye within seconds. This extraordinarily clear and detailed digital map has 5X the resolution of previous wavescan technology and is used to accurately plan a personalized treatment for you.

Like your fingerprint, no two eyes are alike. The pattern of visual imperfections in your eye is unique to you. We can now identify, measure and correct imperfections in your eye 25 times more precisely than with standard methods used for measuring glasses and contact lenses. In addition, lower and higher order aberrations are measured. The corneal topography scans the outside surface of the eye, measuring and analyzing tiny variations in curvature and elevation. This advanced information is then transferred to the STAR S4 IR™ Excimer Laser, providing a new level of precision and accuracy in a customized laser treatment of your eyes.  

STAR S4 IR Excimer Laser

STAR S4 IR Excimer Laser

We utilize the top quality, technologically advanced STAR S4 IR™ Excimer Laser System to perform LASIK and PRK. The STAR S4 IR™ Excimer Laser allows a customized wavefront correction in conjunction with the iDESIGN Refractive Studio™. The excimer laser emits a cool beam of ultraviolet light to precisely remove corneal tissue allowing the correction of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

Other features of the STAR S4 IR™ Excimer Laser include:

– Variable Repetition Rate varies the laser’s pulse rate during the procedure. Variable beam spot technology allows the beam to range in size and shape so that the energy delivered is more custom to the patient’s cornea, minimizing corneal tissue removal. This allows for optimized ablation time and minimizes the thermal impact on the cornea.

– Variable Spot Scanning allows for a larger treatment area. This is important for quality of vision in low-light situations and has minimized earlier night vision issues where pupil size is a consideration.

– 3D ActiveTrak follows any tiny movements of the eye instantaneously and automatically in all three dimensions, repositioning the laser to ensure accuracy without having patients to hold their eyes still. With ActiveTrak Automatic Centering, the laser locates and then automatically sets the treatment center to the center of the pupil.

– Iris Registration (IR) is the first FDA-approved, fully automated, non-contact method of alignment of the treatment to the cornea. When we change position from sitting to lying down, our eyes can rotate or move a little. Iris registration uses your iris’ unique landmarks to compensate for your eye’s rotation when you are lying down. Iris registration also enables the laser to properly center the custom treatment within the center of the pupil, even if the pupil changes size under different light levels.

Intralase iFS Laser

Intralase iFS Laser

We utilize the Intralase iFS™ Laser, which is considered the gold standard in LASIK eye surgery. The iFS™ is the 5th generation Femtosecond Laser used for flap creation and is clinically proven to be faster, safer, and more precise than any other laser technology available. Traditionally, LASIK was performed with an instrument called a microkeratome for the creation of LASIK flaps. The microkeratome is a hand-held blade that moves across the eye, cutting the LASIK flap as it goes. While LASIK complications are rare, when they do occur, many of them are related to the use of the microkeratome.

In contrast, the All-Laser LASIK method is 100% blade-free. The iFS™ Laser is fully customizable and creates a corneal flap in 10 seconds. This laser revolutionized LASIK by replacing the metal-bladed microkeratome with a silent, computer-guided laser that is more accurate and safe. The iFS™ Laser uses tiny, ultra-precise pulses of laser light to create the corneal flap. The focused laser pulses divide tissue at the molecular level without transferring heat or impacting the surrounding area. The result is a LASIK flap personalized for every patient to an exact diameter, depth, hinge location and centration. In addition to customization of the flap, the iFS™ Laser creates a distinctive beveled-edge that allows for precise repositioning, alignment and seating of the LASIK flap for maximum stability — three times that of a blade-created flap. Clinical studies show excellent visual outcomes and high patient satisfaction when the All-Laser LASIK method is used.  

We’ve invested in cutting-edge iFS technology as part of our on-going commitment to innovation and results.

Advantages of the iFS™ Laser include:

  • Faster LASIK procedure time, increasing patient comfort
  • Enhanced safety features
  • Stronger, more secure LASIK flaps
  • Improved corneal sensitivity
  • Fewer dry eye symptoms

How it Works

Corneal flap creation

Read more about the steps involved in the LASIK procedure. Please click on the plus sign (+) to learn more.