Johnson & Johnson Vision has been at the cutting-edge of laser vision correction for 30 years. It developed the first femtosecond laser for LASIK flaps and corneal transplants, pioneered the use of 3D active tracking in LASIK procedures, and played an instrumental role in the approval of LASIK for NASA and US military personnel – and the company is about to make history again with the iDESIGN Refractive Studio: the first and only system to use topography-integrated, wavefront-guided technology for laser vision correction.
The platform, which received FDA approval in June 2018, is currently available worldwide. It is the only available LASIK platform approved by the FDA for monovision LASIK in presbyopic myopic patients; a procedure that corrects vision in patients over 40 years old who are nearsighted, but who also have trouble seeing up close. The development of the sensor within the iDESIGN System was the result of an earlier discovery by Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision Scientists, which NASA also used to accurately measure and shape the mirrors in the James Webb Space Telescope and transmit the high resolution images of deep space back to earth. The same sensor technology in the iDESIGN Refractive Studio now allows surgeons to take a number of precise measurements prior to LASIK treatments. Using an “inside-out” approach, the system performs a wavefront analysis of the inside of the eye, detailing any imperfections in the patient’s vision. The system then turns to corneal topography, scanning the outside surface of the eye to measure and analyze tiny variations in curvature and elevation – all in just three seconds. The resulting combination of measurements allows the iDESIGN Refractive Studio to deliver a one-of-a-kind personalized treatment plan for patients – and a number of benefits for surgeons:
- Improved planning to optimize outcomes
- Improved diagnostic capabilities to ensure an informed view of the patient’s refractive error
- Improved workflow for better practice and patient efficiency
“Personalized treatments rely on accurate measurements – and that’s exactly what you get with the iDESIGN Refractive Studio,” says Griffith Altmann, Head of R&D for Surgical Instrumentation at Johnson & Johnson Vision. “Our technology helps surgeons deliver outstanding patient outcomes and grow their practice. It’s simple – when you measure better, you treat better.”
The iDESIGN Refractive Studio is just one example of Johnson & Johnson Vision’s commitment to the eye care community. It will join a suite of innovations working to restore sight to the 250 million people worldwide struggling with visual impairment – but it won’t be the last. With the company’s global footprint and strong relationships with key thought leaders in ophthalmology and optometry, Johnson & Johnson Vision will no doubt continue adding to its legacy of innovation for years to come.
