Laser Specs - B & L Technolas 217 FAQ
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General information on the Technolas 217 laser
The Bausch & Lomb Technolas 217 laser system is a flying spot laser that is now approved by the FDA for use in the U.S.
Specifications
The B & L laser has a 2 mm spot size, and the beam is placed via 2 scanner mirrors with active feedback control. The ablation size is programmable, but remember that the larger the ablation zone, the greater the tissue removal. For example, for 5 diopters of myopia with a 6.0 mm optical zone, the Technolas laser removes 87 microns versus about 60 microns for the VISX laser (this is over 40% more tissue removal). With higher levels of myopia and larger ablation zones, even more tissue will be removed. So for people with thin corneas, the Technolas laser may not be appropriate.
FDA approval status
The B & L Technolas 217 laser has been approved for myopia for myopia up to 7 diopters and for astigmatism up to 3 diopters. The FDA is currently looking at results for possible approval for higher levels of myopia, as well as far-sightedness