Alcon LADARVision® Laser

The Alcon LADARVision Laser autonomous excimer laser was acquired and installed at our practice in April 2001. This laser represented a significant leap forward in the field of LASIK technology, as it was one of the most advanced systems available at the time. As a third-generation flying spot laser, it offered precision and versatility that other systems lacked, especially in its ability to treat complex vision issues such as farsightedness and mixed astigmatism. With FDA approval to perform custom wavefront ablations, the LADARVision was truly ahead of its time, providing patients with personalized LASIK treatments that catered to their unique vision needs. For years, it remained the most advanced laser on the market, helping countless patients achieve clear, crisp vision.

One of the standout features of the LADARVision laser was its exceptional tracking system. At the time, it boasted one of the fastest and most sophisticated tracking technologies in the industry. This tracker was designed by former NASA space engineers, a testament to the precision and reliability that went into its development. The laser radar tracking system utilized by the LADARVision was not only cutting-edge, but it also offered a speed advantage. It was 6.7 times faster than any other tracking system available at the time, allowing for unmatched accuracy during procedures. The tracking system locked onto the patient’s eye with laser radar, automatically following any minute eye movements that occurred during the procedure. This ensured that the laser was always perfectly aligned, even if the patient’s eye moved slightly during surgery.

What truly set the LADARVision laser apart from its competitors was its ability to correct higher-order aberrations, which are complex visual distortions that can’t be corrected by traditional LASIK. By incorporating custom wavefront technology, the LADARVision allowed for personalized treatment plans, providing patients with clearer vision than ever before. The introduction of custom LASIK procedures marked a revolutionary step in vision correction, as it allowed the laser to correct not just basic refractive errors like nearsightedness or farsightedness, but also these more subtle distortions that could impact the quality of vision. This technology provided patients with sharper, more accurate results than ever before, and it was a key reason why the LADARVision became the go-to laser for many practices in the early 2000s.

At Hoopes Vision, we were proud to be at the forefront of LASIK technology. As the only vision practice in Utah to have performed extensive vision correction surgeries with such a wide array of all-laser LASIK technologies, we were uniquely positioned to offer our patients the best possible outcomes. Our hands-on experience with systems like the LADARVision allowed us to thoroughly evaluate the most effective technologies on the market. By continuously striving to stay at the cutting edge of advancements in vision correction, we’ve ensured that our patients always receive the highest standard of care.

While the LADARVision was a groundbreaking system in its time, technology never stands still. At Hoopes Vision, we have always been committed to providing the most advanced solutions for our patients, and as newer, more advanced lasers became available, we transitioned to those systems. For instance, we have since moved on to using lasers such as the Zeiss MEL 80 and Allegretto EyeQ 400, both of which offer even greater precision, speed, and patient comfort. These lasers have provided consistently excellent results and reflect our ongoing dedication to staying at the forefront of vision correction technology.

Though we no longer use the LADARVision laser, it remains an important part of the history of LASIK surgery and our practice. Its role in revolutionizing vision correction should not be overlooked, and we are proud to have been one of the early adopters of such an innovative technology. Today, as we continue to use the latest and most effective tools available, our focus remains the same: providing our patients with the best possible vision outcomes, using the safest and most reliable technologies on the market.