Complication prevention program: how we check lasers before surgery

Why equipment checks matter

Laser surgery depends on the equipment being accurate. If the eye tracking device does not perform properly, or the laser zero point or intensity is wrong, surgery cannot be accurate. Your target corrected vision may then not be reached.

The clinic lists the risks of equipment error as lower surgical accuracy, vision decline after surgery, and side effects such as keratoconus. You can read about that condition on the keratoconus page.

The three daily checks

Before the day's surgeries, laser equipment is checked three times: morning, noon and afternoon. Each check covers the same three items.

1. Laser zero calibration

   Staff check the laser's error range so surgery stays within a safe tolerance.

2. Laser intensity check

   Staff adjust the laser intensity to limit damage to the cornea.

3. Eye tracking device inspection

   A pre-test confirms the laser lands where it should.

Surgery proceeds only after these inspections.

Who is responsible

The clinic designates an equipment check supervisor, so responsibility for the checks sits with a named person. The program inspects laser surgical equipment every day except Thursday.

On Thursday the clinic closes for equipment maintenance and a full equipment inspection, as the clinic tour shows in its opening hours.

Part of a wider safety approach

Equipment checks are one layer. The surgeon name disclosure page explains that your operating surgeon performs your surgery. The complication pathway prevention page covers corneal thickness standards and aftercare.

See the lasers themselves on the equipment page, then book your free consultation to ask the team how checks apply to your procedure.