machines or femtosecond lasers, so the data is smoothly transitioned
from one piece of equipment to the next. This is a huge benefit and
can help eliminate mistakes on several levels — including charting a
wrong measurement or incorrectly marking the cornea on the day of
surgery.
With the goal of a seamless transition from pre-op to post-op, some
image-guided systems complete the cycle by also allowing you to
enter the patient's post-op refractive power. The software then com-
pares those results to the initial astigmatism treatment plan, and uses
an algorithm to account for any differences in expected and actual
outcomes, optimizing your results over time. Many centers, including
my own, already have a similar system in place, but it involves several
manual entries into different computer programs and is much more
tedious than these all-in-one systems.
Prices and purchasing decisions
When you have patients paying an additional $2,000 to $5,000 for
improved vision, you need to deliver. Aberrometry and image-guided
technology are 2 ways to do that. Combined, these systems can create
a nearly perfect cataract suite, letting you plan for surgery, have a
guide available while you're operating and check your patient's out-
comes intraoperatively. But, I've found that most facilities are current-
ly purchasing 1 or the other, depending on their case mix, budget and
surgeon's preference.
Compared to other equipment, like femtosecond lasers, these new
technologies can be a more cost-effective way to increase your accu-
racy and outcomes. Aberrometry systems cost $55,000 to $100,000.
While the newer image-guided systems may cost slightly more, their
costs vary widely and really depend on the manufacturer. Both tech-
nologies can also come with a click-fee or monthly fee that is usually
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