LASIK is a revolutionary technology that has helped many people enjoy a life without eyeglasses or contact lenses. Since its introduction in the 1990s, the technology has come a long way. Now people have more options when it comes to vision correction. A procedure can be blade or bladeless.
What is Microkeratome LASIK?
Microkerotame treatment is a procedure that uses a blade called microkerotame (a handheld blade) to create a corneal flap. An excimer laser is then used to reshape the cornea. There are two laser eye procedures that use blades.
Traditional or basic LASIK sia non-customizable type of treatment. In a conventional procedure, the measurements that are programmed to the excimer treatment laser are based on the prescription of your glasses or contact lenses. After the flap is created, the laser reshapes the cornea to match the patient’s prescription. Hence, if a patient’s eye is correctable only to 20/30 in glasses, your vision can only be corrected to 20/30 with the traditional laser eye surgery.
Like traditional treatment, CustomVue LASIK uses microkeratome to create a corneal flap. The difference is that CustomVue LASIK uses a WaveScan machine to get a detailed 3D map of the eye, allowing doctors to create a treatment plan customized to the patient. The measurements are then fed into a WaveFront-guided excimer laser for more accurate laser vision correction.
What is iLASIK?
iLASIK or IntraLase LASIK is a two-laser, bladeless approach to correcting vision. Like CustomVue LASIK, the doctor uses WaveScan to take a more accurate measurement of the patient’s eye and create individualized treatment for the patient.
Where iLASIK departs from both traditional and CustomVue procedures is its use of what’s called the Intralase femtosecond laser to create a corneal flap. The laser is computer-guided and creates a more precise cut than microkeratome, thus reducing potential complications associated with blade-created flaps, such as irregular flaps, partial flaps, incomplete flaps, perforations, as well as infections and inflammations. The computer-guided CustomVue laser is then used to reshape the cornea and correct the patient’s vision.
Is iLASIK really superior to traditional procedures?
Precise measurement and detailed mapping of the eye, as well as excellent flap creation and reshaping methods, make iLASIK superior to traditional laser eye surgeries both in visual outcomes and safety. It is the only vision correction procedure approved by NASA.
Sugarland Eye & Laser Center is one of the first facilities in Houston, Texas to adopt and offer Intralase FS technology to their patients. Dr. Amjad Khokhar, the facility’s head LASIK surgeon, said that Intralase adds excellent precision to the procedure for more accurate visual outcomes. Dr. Khokhar says that iLASIK is also better than the previous procedures because it is:
1. Fully customizable to the individual
2. Accurate measurement of the eye
3. High safety profile
4. Can correct a variety of aberrations
5. Reduced dry eye, glares, and halos
6. Much faster recovery time
7. Fewer retreatment
8. More predictability
Am I a candidate?
If you have astigmatism, farsightedness, or nearsightedness, you may be a candidate for Intralase laser eye surgery. Your eye doctor will be able to tell you during examination if iLASIK is right for you.
Source:
http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/lasik-laser-eye-surgery
Sugarland Eye & Laser Center leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The Center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Sugarland Eye & Laser Center, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478 or visit us at www.houston-lasik.com.
About the Author
Amjad Khokhar, M.D. is Chief LASIK Surgeon at Sugarland Eye & Laser Center. Add Dr. Khokhar on Google+ here.
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