IntraLase LASIK Vs Traditional LASIK

Intralasik utilizes a femtosecond laser instead of a metal blade to form the LASIK flap. The laser is the more technologically advanced approach, but what does that mean for you, as the patient?

 

Basically, it means that using the Intralase is safer for you and your eyes because it gives the surgeon more control.

 

With both tools the ophthalmologist is the one programming the laser for your flap based on your eyes meaning the flap is customized based on the surface of your cornea. Each person's cornea is different similar to a fingerprint and the Intralase creates a custom flap. Additionally, with the Intralase the ophthalmologist can watch as the laser creates the flap and can interfere if needed. The traditional or conventional approach to laser eye surgery with the blade doesn't allow this feature. Once the keratome (device with the blade) is programmed and started, there is nothing the ophthalmologist can do to stop it. He/she cannot see what the blade is doing after he/she programs it and will only know if something is wrong after the flap is made.

 

90% of LASIK complications are flap related, so giving the ophthalmologist more control and more visibility dramatically reduces the likelihood of these complications.

The objective in LASIK is to make a flap.  Traditionally, this was performed with a microkeratome which uses a specially designed blade to make a smooth cut.  The problem with the microkeratome is that it takes a great deal of skill.  As more surgeons have started performing LASIK, they have gone to using a laser to make the flap.  The Intralase and other "femtosecond lasers" work by making thousands of tiny explosions.  The risk of significant complications is probably smaller with the Intralase, but the rate of smaller complications is much higher. In my mind, the two balance each other out.  It matters little which way your surgeon wants to make the flap. the big difference is in the laser used for the treatment.  I believe that results are much better with a Customized Treatment rather than a standard treatment. 

There are very big differences in these technologies!   After Intralase was introduced, I converted over to it and have not cut a corneal flap with a bladed device ever since.  This was almost 8 years ago.  The all- Laser technique (Intralase) has added safety both during surgery and also post op.  There are several side effects and complications which are less frequent when using all laser technology, including dry eye and flap slippage just to name two.   The all laser technique is also more accurate and the smaller footprint created by it allows for more structural integrity of the cornea long term when compared with bladed techniques.  My suggestion is to go to the most experienced Intralase surgeon that you trust.   It is worth the extra bucks.