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Title

The Zeiss VisuMax Femtosecond laser as a Flapmaker and as a Refractive tool.

Purpose	To discuss technical features, applications, results of the Zeiss scientific study group and early personal experience using Zeiss VisuMax Femtosecond Laser
Methods	The VisuMax Zeiss Femtosecond laser makes a very precise corneal flap in preparation of laser surgery with the Mel 8o laser using an ergonomic pivoting patient bed -and can perform FLEX: Femtosecond Lenticule Extraction for correction of refractive anomalies. With FLEX, instead of ablating tissue, the VisuMax excises tissue with a precision of 2 micron in order to obtain the planned refractive change. Other Refractive applications of the VisuMax are: creating tunnels for Intacs, performing incisions for A.K and LRI.and performing Penetrating and Lamellar keratoplasty and Dsaek Complicated cases such as retreatments -surgery after RK and in very steep and flat cornea’s will be discussed.
Results	Precision of the VisuMax equals the resolution of OCT measurement=3 Mikron.Flap thickness had a SD of +/_7 Micron. 12 months follow up of Refractive outcomes for myopia are 98%+/- 0, 5 d obtained- intended using the classical ablation approach and 93% using the Flex technique. At 6 months 98 % of eyes were 10/10 (20/20) uncorrected in both series. Not one eye lost more than one line of Bscva.No complications were encountered in all series. Patient satisfaction was very high. The stability over a 6 month fup was excellent with less than 0, 1 Dptr.change.
Conclusion	The VisuMax Zeiss Femtosecond laser revolutionizes refractive surgery with a new extremely safe and less invasive approach -FLEX -Excision instead of ablation. The VisuMax is an extremely accurate flapmaker and a marvellous tool for Keratoplasty

Author 1

Last name	GOES
Initials	FJ
Department	GOES EYE CENTRE
City	ANTWERP