RESTORE VISION CENTERS |
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Blade vs. Bladeless LASIK Which is better? Recent increased marketing efforts have led some consumers to question if a new procedure called “Intralase LASIK" is somehow a superior option to standard LASIK. The standard method of LASIK surgery entails using a highly precise surgical instrument called a microkeratome to create the corneal flap. However, Intralase LASIK (sometimes referred to as “bladeless” or ”all-laser” LASIK) is a modified approach which entails creating the corneal flap with a femtosecond laser. Once the flap is created, the LASIK laser system (an excimer laser) is used to reshape the cornea to correct the patient’s vision. Thus, with Intralase LASIK, two lasers are used during the procedure. Restore Vision Centers is committed to offering our patients the most recent advancements in laser eye surgery technology to ensure better outcomes and increased safety without compromising quality of care or significantly increasing the cost. We have evaluated Intralase flap creation carefully and choose to continue using the microkeratome blade. The research leads us to conclude that, in comparison to standard LASIK, the bladeless procedure demonstrates:
Read on for more details on each of these points. Lack of improved results A recent study conducted at the Mayo Clinic concluded there were no significant improvements in the results between patients who had LASIK performed with the microkeratome and patients who had Intralase LASIK. When compared side-by-side, the ultimate patient vision improvement was the same. For more information, see: http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2006-rst/3356.html. Longer surgical time After the corneal flap is created by the femtosecond laser in the Intralase procedure, the surgeon must wait approximately 12 minutes before lifting the flap and beginning the treatment. Creating a flap with a microkeratome takes seconds, and the flap can be lifted immediately. Some surgeons believe the significantly longer treatment time required in the Intralase procedure increases a patient’s chances for side effects, as well as the potential for the surface of the eye to become dry, which can cause variability in results. Increased trauma to the eye In the Intralase procedure, the flap created by the femtosecond laser is not completely separated from the underlying tissue. Surgeons report that small residual “bridges” of tissue are still connected after the procedure, and that these must be snapped apart manually as the flap is lifted. This increased trauma to the underlying tissue can put a patient at risk for inflammation and other complications. Increased risk of light sensitivity Some patients have reported a previously undocumented side effect following the Intralase procedure – increased light sensitivity. Surgeons have termed this condition “delayed onset photophobia” (DAP) or “transient light sensitivity” (TLS). This is specific to the Intralase procedure and is not reported when using the microkeratome. Increased cost to the patient Because two lasers are needed to perform the Intralase LASIK surgery, vision centers must invest in two separate and equally expensive devices. The centers are then forced to pass on this increased cost to consumers. Patients generally pay hundreds of dollars more per eye for an Intralase procedure versus a LASIK procedure performed with a microkeratome. Because there is no clinical benefit, and because Intralase traumatizes the eye, increases the potential for complication, increases intra-surgery time, and costs more, RVC has concluded that this technology is not desirable. |
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