Intralase
Q: Why IntraLase?
A: LASIK (Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis) has proven to be a very successful procedure, freeing millions of the daily dependence on glasses and contact lenses. Yet, while LASIK complications are rare, all surgery carries some degree of risk. Now, advances in laser technology have made it possible to significantly reduce the already small chance of LASIK complications. This advancement is known as IntraLase.
IntraLase is the first blade-free laser technology for performing the critical first step in the LASIK procedure: creating the corneal flap. This step can also successfully be done manually using a hand-held surgical device, called a microkeratome.
Q: How does IntraLase change the LASIK procedure?
A: LASIK is actually a two-step process. In the first step, the surgeon creates a flap of corneal tissue and folds it back to prepare the eye for the second step, where an excimer laser is used on the cornea to correct the vision. This two-step process allows for rapid visual recovery with little or no patient discomfort.
Traditionally, the corneal flap was created with a hand-held microkeratome blade. While this method has worked very well over the years with minimal complications, some patients do feel more comfortable knowing that the entire procedure is performed using a laser.
With IntraLase, the surgeon uses the precision of a computer-guided laser to create the corneal flap. IntraLase delivers micron-level accuracy over 100 times greater than that of a microkeratome, giving the surgeon more control during the procedure and the ability to establish precise dimensions and thickness of the corneal flap, factors which are critical to a successful LASIK outcome.
This level of precision is unparalleled by any other technology in vision correction surgery. IntraLase allows surgeons to tailor the corneal flap for each individual patient, and each individual eye. Because of its consistent accuracy, IntraLase may make LASIK a viable option even for patients who previously didn’t qualify, such as those with thin corneas.
Q: Is this the same as the customized procedure I’ve heard so much about?
A: No. Custom LASIK generally refers to individualized visual diagnosis with technology called “wavefront,” which allows for customized treatment with the excimer laser. There has never been a combination of technologies that have allowed for this type of personalized vision correction. The most exciting part is that while the patient has the opportunity for an optimized visual result, it can be done with unprecedented safety and precision.
Every patient’s eyes are different and therefore need to be evaluated independently and treated uniquely. Now all steps of the laser vision correction procedure may be personalized to the individual: custom diagnosis with wavefront, personalized flap creation with IntraLase, and custom laser vision correction with custom ablation.
Q: How do the visual outcomes using IntraLase compare with those of traditional LASIK with a microkeratome?
A: Clinical studies confirm that patients may see better following IntraLase-initiated LASIK than those with the hand-held microkeratome blade.
• More patients achieve 20/20 or better vision with IntraLase-initiated LASIK
• Patients stating a preference preferred the post-operative vision of their IntraLase-treated eye 3-to-1 over their blade-treated eye.
• IntraLase creates fewer high and low-order aberrations, thought to be associated with
glare and halos at night.
• IntreLase patients have a reduced incidence of post-operative dry eye symptoms.
• InreaLase patients required fewer enhancement procedures following LASIK
• The precision of the IntraLase flap significantly reduces the incidence of post-
operative induced astigmatism as compared with a microkeratome-created flap.
Q: I have seen several advertisements for “All-Laser LASIK.“ Is this IntraLase?
A: Maybe, Contrary to popular belief, LASIK is not an “all laser” procedure, due to the use of the microkeratome blade. Only LASIK procedures that use IntraLase can be considered "all-laser."
Q: Is IntraLase more expensive?
A: Yes. Most patients agree that the added level of safety, assurance and predictability better vision offered by IntraLase is worth the incremental cost. IntraLase surgeons are leaders in the field of ophthalmology who continually evaluate advances in technology. They’ve determined that the IntraLase is the most sophisticated and accurate system available today for flap creation and have invested in the technology to sustain their leadership in patient care.