The IntraLase Method is a 100% blade-free approach to creating your corneal flap, the thin flap of tissue that the doctor folds back I order to perform your Lasik procedure. The IntraLase Method can only be performed using the IntraLase F5 laser.
Traditionally, doctors have used an instrument called a microkertome for the creation of corneal flaps. The microkerotome is a hand -held blade that moves across the eye, cutting the corneal flap as it goes. While LASIK is extremely safe, if complications do occur the microkerotome is most often the cause.
The IntraLase method, by contrast, enables your doctor to create your corneal flap without a blade ever touching your eye.
Read more about: Lasik eye surgery
How does it work?
With the Intralase Method, tiny pulses of laser light, a quadrillionth of a second each, pass harmlessly through the outer portion of your cornea and form a uniform layer of microscope bubbles just beneath the surface of your eye.
The exact dimensions of the layer of bubbles are determined by your doctor based on what’s best for your eye and are computer controlled for maximum precision – things that are not possible with a hand-held blade. The IntraLase flap creation process takes about 15 to 30 seconds
When it’s time for your Lasik treatment to be performed, your doctor easily separates the tissue where these bubbles occur and then folds it back, thus creating your corneal flap.
When Lasik is complete, a flap created using the IntraLase Method is uniquely able to “lock” back into place. Your eye then begins to rapidly heal.
Read more about: After lasik eye surgery
Is it right for me?
If you’re looking for blade-free treatment that virtually eliminates the most severe sight-threatening complications, the answer is yes.
The Intralase Method also delivers outstanding visual results: more patients achieve vision that is 20/20 or better when the IntraLase Method is used. And patients report better quality of vision overall, particularly in terms of their ability to see well in low light, such as at dusk or at night.
Read more about: Lasik Eye Surgery
What else should I know?
Preferred by patients 3 to 1
In a clinical survey of Lasik patients who had their corneal flaps created using a blade in one eye and the IntraLase Method in the other, the vision in the IntraLase-treated eye was preferred 3-to-1 (among those who stated a preference).
How many days rest is required after Lasik surgery?
The immediate recovery period for LASIK generally lasts six to 12 hours, but it varies by patient, depending on several factors. Most patients see clearly within 24 hours after vision correction surgery, but others take two to five days to recover. Some patients may experience some blurred vision and fluctuations in their vision for several weeks after LASIK.
Read more about: Femto Lasik surgery
Is IntraLase better than Lasik?
Altogether, this means that SBK has a number of benefits over LASIK, including:
- It results in fewer complications then LASIK, including fewer cases of dry eye.
- Eyes are less sensitive to light after Intralase SBK compared to LASIK.
- There is a lesser chance of serious complications.
IntraLase is a modification to the original LASIK procedure, making it less invasive, so you have a faster healing time.
There are not many differences between IntraLase and traditional LASIK, but each procedure has some subtle variances in their pros and cons. Understanding these, and who benefits from the differences between them, can help you decide which outpatient refractive surgery you would rather discuss with your ophthalmologist.
- LASIK: Traditional LASIK is immensely popular worldwide. Many eye surgeons are trained on both the microkeratome and excimer devices.
The operation is short, taking about 15 minutes or less per eye. Most of that time is setup, including numbing the eyes with drops and placing a device on your eyelids to keep them open. While there are two devices involved, there is little downtime during the transition.
You will need to get a ride home since you cannot drive after LASIK. And you will need to rest your eyes for the remainder of the day. Most people have recovered their vision the next day, and they can return to work in a day or two.
You may develop some side effects, like halos around lights, night vision problems, and dry eyes, which can last for up to six months. Serious complications are incredibly rare.
- Pros: Traditional LASIK is a widely practiced and well-understood outpatient surgery. Ophthalmologists with training in microkeratome and excimer laser devices are easy to find and competitively priced. The cost of LASIK is about $2,000 to $3,000 per eye, depending on the skill level of your surgeon, where you receive treatment, and the general cost of living in your area.
Because bladed LASIK has been performed millions of times for about 20 years, the side effects and risks are well documented. Your surgeon will be able to talk to you about your individual risks based on the history of this operation. LASIK is also able to manage several refractive errors, like myopia (nearsightedness), astigmatism, and hyperopia (farsightedness not due to aging). Your vision insurance may cover part of the procedure too.
- Cons:There are several disqualifying factors for traditional LASIK, including having:
- Naturally thin corneas.
- Received LASIK in the past, leading to thin corneas.
- An unstable refractive error.
If you undergo traditional LASIK once, and your vision is undercorrected or overcorrected, you may have to undergo a different, more invasive eye surgery to manage the problem. This means your healing time will be longer, and you may not achieve visual clarity (20/40 or better) without the help of glasses or contact lenses. While this is unlikely, some people have reported that they did not get good visual acuity after traditional LASIK due to overcorrection or undercorrection.
Read more about: Epi-lasik eye surgery
- IntraLase: The IntraLase procedure refers to an approach to bladeless LASIK using Johnson & Johnson’s specific IntraLase femtosecond laser in place of the microkeratome. Using lasers for the entire procedure is less invasive than using a blade. It allows for greater precision in creating the flap as well as removing internal corneal tissue.
- Pros:The IntraLase device requires less time than the microkeratome to create a flap on your cornea. According to Johnson & Johnson, IntraLase takes about 15 seconds, using laser pulses to create small bubbles, which allows your eye surgeon to gently lift this piece.
Once the flap is created, the excimer laser can sculpt your cornea in another handful of seconds. The entire procedure takes 10 minutes or less per eye.
- Cons: The main downside to IntraLase, compared to traditional LASIK, is that there are fewer surgeons who are trained to use the IntraLase device. If you want this procedure, you may have to travel a little outside your normal radius. This also increases the likelihood that you’ll need to use an out-of-network provider if you have vision insurance.
Read more about: Best Age for LASIK Eye Surgery
Do they put you to sleep during Lasik eye surgery?
You will be awake for your entire LASIK corrective eye surgery procedure. Some people assume because they are undergoing a surgical procedure that they will be given anesthesia and be put to sleep. Yet, unlike other types of surgeries, laser surgery only takes a few minutes to complete. You don’t have to worry about being awake, either. Your laser eye surgeon will use local anesthesia eye drops to numb the eyes before they begin the laser surgery. To help you relax and put you at ease, your surgical team explains what they are doing while they are doing it.
Read more about: Lasik eye surgery candidate
Can laser eye surgery correct keratoconus?
Keratoconus is the progressive weakening and bulging of the cornea, or the clear covering of the eye. If you have keratoconus (even mild keratoconus), laser eye surgeons will discourage you from having laser vision correction. Procedures like LASIK and PRK reshape the cornea by removing microscopic particles of tissue. However, removing tissue from an inherently weak cornea affected by keratoconus further weakens the cornea and threatens the cornea’s integrity.
Read more about: Facts about lasik risks
How can I speed up my Lasik recovery?
Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.
Your eyes may be a bit uncomfortable after the procedure. Do not touch your eyes afterward, though it may be challenging. You may wish to wear goggles, to avoid unconsciously rubbing them.
Keep your follow-up appointments.
The day following your LASIK procedure, you will have a checkup. For the next few months, your doctor shall monitor your progress. For best long-term results, follow your doctor’s advice to the letter.
Take it easy.
Driving immediately following LASIK surgery is not allowed. Expect to take a few days off work or school, even though you feel fine. Ease your way back into your normal routine slowly. Get your vision correct at Cutarelli Vision and get back to work the next day!
Rest your whole body at least two days. Avoid reading, computer work, electronic devices, television or vigorous activity. Your doctor may even recommend a long nap following the procedure. When you sleep, your body heals.
Luxuriate with a bath.
Bypass the shower at first. A bath is recommended. Do not splash water into your face. Avoid any soap or water from entering your eyes. Furthermore, pat dry your face. No rubbing your eyes or around the edges.
Use eye drops as recommended.
Your doctor will prescribe eye drops. The drops help the healing process and ensure the best results. Using them at specific times of day may be inconvenient. But without lubrication, your cornea may experience irritation. Follow your doctor’s recommendations.
Play no sports.
Whether you play contact sports or not, you need a break from the games. Even casual injuries to your eyes may be caustic. So for about a month, you will want your sports equipment to remain in the closet. Shun any water sports, even swimming with goggles. Avoid visiting sandy or dusty areas. When the wind stirs, you will automatically rub your eyes. Dust or sand in your eyes may cause injuries.
Wear eye protection.
Your doctor will recommend the type of eyewear you should use. You will want to shield your eyes for at least two weeks. Also, avoid driving in a convertible. Even with goggles, you should not risk injury to your precious orbs.
Dim light is recommended.
You will be light sensitive for the first few days, even inside. Your eyes are fragile after LASIK surgery. Treat them with care and they will recuperate properly. Ask your doctor if you should wear sunglasses indoors initially. Avoid bright lights and direct sun.
Read more about: LASIK Eye Surgery
How long does it take to get 20/20 vision after Lasik?
Recovery can vary from person to person, however most people see 20/20 by the next morning after their LASIK procedure. Although the patient’s vision is usually very good, that does not mean that healing is complete. It is common for healing to go on for weeks to months after the procedure.
Read more about: Can I use phone after lasik
10 common question about intralase lasik surgery
What is IntraLase Lasik eye surgery?: IntraLase® LASIK Laser Eye Surgery. IntraLase® is a new state of the art laser treatment that prepares the LASIK corneal flap by using a femtosecond laser. Normal LASIK treatments use a mechanical device called a microkeratome which uses a blade to produce the LASIK flap.What is IntraLase Lasik eye surgery?
IntraLase® LASIK Laser Eye Surgery. IntraLase® is a new state of the art laser treatment that prepares the LASIK corneal flap by using a femtosecond laser. Normal LASIK treatments use a mechanical device called a microkeratome which uses a blade to produce the LASIK flap.
How much does IntraLase Lasik cost?: The national average cost is $1,912 per eye*, however the QualSight price is under $1,400. Bladeless – also known as \”all-laser LASIK\” or IntraLase and utilizes an additional femtosecond laser which typically adds several hundreds of dollars in cost making it the highest priced procedure.
Is Lasik eye surgery safe for diabetics?: Some LASIK Surgeons now agree that on a case by case basis diabetic patients may be able to have LASIK when Diabetic are stable and blood sugar is under controlled, providing that the patient has no other contraindications to LASIK.
What is the difference between Lasik and Epi Lasik?: In epi-LASIK, the flap created on the cornea is thinner than a LASIK flap. … In both procedures, the flap contains only cells from the very thin outer layer of the cornea, called the epithelium. The difference is how the epi-LASIK and LASEK flaps are produced. A LASEK flap is created with a tool that has a sharp blade.
Which is better Lasik or femto Lasik?: Femto-LASIK: safer than LASIK but still requiring a flap
This cornea lid is called flap. Whereas conventional LASIK uses a blade, a so-called microkeratoma, for forming the flap, femto-LASIK uses a femtosecond laser for doing so. … Using Femto-LASIK, vision impairments can be corrected more accurately than with LASIK.
Is IntraLase better than Lasik?: IntraLase LASIK is one option and is considered to be the premium type because it is typically has fewer risk and complications than other types of LASIK. … The IntraLase laser results in a corneal flap that is created in a much more precise manner than the traditional microkeratome blade.
Can you go blind from Lasik?: This is extremely rare but has happened. LASIK surgery itself does not cause blindness, and most cases of LASIK complications are avoidable by following aftercare procedures set forth by your surgeon. … The most uncomfortable part of LASIK surgery, according to what our patients tell us, is the pressure from the laser.
Do I qualify Lasik?: To have LASIK eye surgery, you must have a stable prescription. This means your eyeglass prescription has not changed for at least two consecutive years. LASIK is FDA-approved for people aged 18 and older. … It is important for eyes to be healthy, free of diseases, injuries and infections.
Does Lasik last forever?: DONNENFELD: It is a very persistent myth, people thinking that LASIK is not permanent and that it may only last a few years. The reality is, LASIK permanently corrects the vision prescription – your nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism – that you come in with to have the procedure.
Can you have surgery if you are diabetic?: Just because you have diabetes doesn\’t mean you can\’t have surgery if you need it. Surgery is safer now than ever before. But if you have diabetes, you may need to take extra care. Before your surgery, you may need to check your blood sugar more often.