IntraLASIK is performed using the IntraLase laser. With traditional LASIK, the surgeon uses a mechanical blade, known as a microkeratome, to create a corneal flap. This flap allows the surgeon to reshape the cornea and improve the patient's vision.
With IntraLASIK, your surgeon uses laser energy instead of a mechanical blade to create a quick, painless and precise incision for the corneal flap. In addition to making the surgery safer and more accurate, this method is more appealing to patients who are nervous about the blade portion of traditional LASIK.
The Food and Drug Administration approved laser vision correction using the IntraLase laser in 2001. Since then, the technology has been used to correct the vision of more than 250,000 eyes, treating a variety of conditions – including nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatisms.
The IntraLase laser uses rapid pulses of laser energy to create a highly precise corneal flap. It's computer-guided, which means the surgeon can customize the diameter, depth, location and width of the flap, depending on the patient's unique specifications.
During the procedure, the laser will pulse through the layers of the eye, moving back and forth to create tiny bubbles that will eventually perforate the cornea. Once the tiny bubbles have formed, the surgeon will separate the perforated tissue to create a flap, so that he can access and reshape the corneal tissues.
Though an extremely safe procedure in general, IntraLASIK does share a few of the risks of traditional LASIK. With both surgeries, patients may experience increased sensitivity to light, halos or glare around lights, and dry eye syndrome. However, in most cases these complications resolve themselves very quickly.
To be considered a candidate for IntraLASIK, patients should be at least 18 years of age and possess healthy corneas. Additionally, your vison should be stable and you should not have a recent history of eye infections.
