I know the Meditec WASCA aberrometer and the MEL80 is not FDA approved yet in the U.S.; however, I was wondering what the thoughts and opinions were about retreatment with this device(s) configuration ?

I understand the WASCA aberrometer has the highest resolution available clinically in the world, and the Mel80 excimer can laser down to about .7 mm .

I live in Dallas, and might consider an expert surgeon in Canada ( see http://www.eyetechlasik.com/bausch_lomb_laser_for_lasik_and_prk_laser_eye_surgery.htm ), if one exists. I know there exist one at the London Vision Clinic that has this configuration ( http://londonvisionclinic.com/tech_laser.html ).

BTW, HOAs (with high coma) is one of the major concern with me of my underlining complications. Along with central island, and irregular astigmatism. Pre-op: I was -6D cyl -1.25sph (5/1 ratio) O.S., and 3/1 ratio O.D. Post-op: +1.25 sph farsighted O.S., and -.25sph -.50cyl O.D. Having typical GASH issues at night, and shadowing/ghosting with slightly hazy/fuzzy vision during day/night. I still have 508 microns of CT of O.S., and will find out remaining stroma bed thickness soon. Right eye is off limit, until issues with left is resolved because right eye does cancel some of the ghosting/shadowing issues. Surgical dates were 2/02, and 9/02 (twice on O.S.). I have seen a surgeon at U.T.Southwestern in 5/03, but he does not have the latest, and greatest technology in my opinion which is the WASCA and Mel80.

Just learned ( http://www.optistock.com/news/2004_0926.htm ):
=============================================
"The first clinical trial subjects in the U.S. have been treated with Carl Zeiss Meditec AG's MEL 80 Excimer Laser. The trial is part of the Investigational Device Exemption study required for device approval by the FDA. "

"The ophthalmic surgeons who will be conducting operations with the laser are Dr. Mark Packer, Dr .I. Howard Fine, and Dr. Richard S. Hoffman (Eugene/ Oregon), Dr. John F. Doane (Kansas CityLeawood/ MissouriKansas), Dr. Steven J. Dell (Austin/ Texas), and Dr. Steve Schallhorn (San Diego/ California), and Dr. Roger Steinert (Irvine/California)." per Meditec website: [URL=http://www.zeiss.de/C1256A770030BCE0/WebViewTopNewsAllE/C252D42CFD055B18C1256F1700465B16?OpenDocument]

Also, how do I get results of this study ?

Any thoughts to these proposed questions would be greatly appreciated ?

Stosh in Dallas

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Stosh,

You still don't get it do you. The ability of a laser to ablate and the accuracy of an aberrometer have no bearing in 2 ways. First, the laser system still is not able to create a perfect optical curve. It simply blasts a pattern on the cornea. It is designed to ablate a certain amoult of tissue equal to the script.

Second, the healing process of YOUR eye is a factor over which there is little control. This is the reason that you have problems now. THe laser did the job perfectly the first time, you healed wrong. It will probably happen again.

p.s. the FDA approval will be for untreated eyes, not mucked up eyes. Once FDA approval is granted, the system will be for new candidates. THe system is designed to be accurate for corneas of known surface properties.