Tsamatl,
I don't follow the individual companies as close as I follow the development in procedures. Since I took an early retirement about 18 months ago, I don't keep up as close as I did. If I remember right SNRS claim to fame is the treatment of hyperopes. But the results I have seen discussed in this area is less then great! The problem with hyperopia is regression that is worse the higher the amount of hyperopia. I suspect that most hyperopes in the future will be treated by some form of lens implant rather than laser refractive surgery in the near future.
The big thing that is coming down the pike is an injectable lens implant that will restore focusing at near for those over 40! I believe B&L holds the patient for the technique of the surgery and the rush right now is to see who can get a gel approved by the FDA that will do the job. The FDA will be slow to approve this chemical because of the potential of leakage within the eye. It will probably be years before this procedure has FDA approval.
Inplantable lenses in pakic patients will start receiving approval by the FDA this year. The first will probably be the Artistic Lens developed by Dr. Worst. Following these anterior segment lenses look for some posterior segment (behind the iris but infront of the lens) inplants soon. These implantable pakic lenses are often called inplantable contact lenses to reduce patient fears. Vision with these lenses have been good especially in patients with higher refractive error not suitable for lasix.
Finally watch for major improvements with laser refractive surgery and the lasers that perform the procedure over the next few years. Ultimately we will have some form of tracking laser that will be able to coordinate corneal mapping with the treatment zones producing greater results. The ultimate will probably use opitical analysis of the various zones vision so that the tracking laser can correct for any optical error in the eye producing what is being called by some as supervision. It has been reported that patients involved in these experiements are coming out with much better vision then obtained by any other means. Some complain the vision is too clear. It has been reported that even the pixels on the TV screens sometimes bother these patients because they see the little color spots.<g>
As you can see there are a lot of things going on in this area. Things are changing weekly. So be careful when listening to companies' claims in this area.
[B]
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