IntraLasik Facts and Myths

IntraLasik is one of the newest innovations and enhancements over the now venerable Lasik vision correction surgery developed in 1990. Even though all types of Lasik eye surgery are unable to guarantee their patients will recover and have perfect vision, historical statistics have shown that more than 90% of all patients have gotten at least 20/40 vision or better. For IntraLasik, its track records till date have shown that more of its patients achieving 6/6 perfect vision compared to other types of surgerical procedures. These promising results have thus triggered more interest among the population for improving their clear vision.

IntraLasik was named after the IntraLase company that developed the first femtosecond laser approved by the FDA, United States for use in cornea surgeries. In all forms of Lasik procedures, a cornea flap in the eye must be cut opened in order for the laser to shape the eye lenses. The only difference between Lasik and IntraLasik (also known as bladeless Lasik or all laser Lasik) is that the flap is created using a femtosecond laser microkeratome rather than with a mechanical microkeratome or steel blade.

Since bladeless Lasik is a newer procedure, there are some myths and misunderstandings surrounding it. This articles attempts to clarify some of these points such that you can understand the situation better and decide if it is a suitable corrective vision surgery for you.

Firstly, some people are concerned that the computed controlled laser used to cut the corneal flap is too new, not precise enough and can go horribly wrong if there is a software bug somewhere. Let me ask you, is a computer more precise or a highly trained human? There is no shaky fingers involved like a steel blade held in a human hand. Actually, there is less risk involved with the laser blade. The surgeon will measure the eye and provide inputs to the computer which then calculates the parameters of the flap to be cut. The surgeon will then verify these readings to be accurate and safe before begining the actual cutting.  

Vision threatening complications in LASIK include unattached flaps, free flaps, partial flaps, improperly formed flaps or damaged eye tissue. Notice that most of the above cases involve the cornea flap. The risks involved with problematic flaps are lower when a laser is used for cutting.  

IntraLasik also allows patients with thinner than average corneas to have their eye problems corrected. The average cornea is around 500 and 600 microns thick and the average flap created by the mechanical microkeratome is around 100 and 200 microns thick. Because of the computer controlled precision, the femtosecond laser microkeratome can create flaps as thin as 100 microns. This allows patients that were previously diagnosed as unsuitable for Lasik to be given a second chance.

Some people heard about a new custom Wavefront Lasik procedure and think that IntraLasik is less safe. In a custom or Wavefront Lasik surgery, a wavefront measurement system is used to compute how your eye processes images. These measurements allow the laser to make extremely precise and individualized corrections to the eye cornea. Notice we did not say anything about the flap? Yes, Wavefront Lasik and Intra Lasik are actually two different and complementary procedures, the first one works on the reshaping of the eye to correct vision accurately, the latter works on opening the cornea flap such that the first procedure can proceed. Saying Wavefront Lasik is better than IntraLasik is akin to comparing apples and oranges.

Since IntraLasik was only introduced in 2003 and is still relatively new, the public consenus is that not many Lasik physicians have experience with the procedure. Similarly, some people still think that IntraLasik is not thoroughly tested in the field of laser corrective eye surgery, not knowing that it has been performed on more than one million patients successfully. Nowadays, more and more Lasik physicians have been training to perform IntraLasik since they are also motivated by its stellar track records in helping patients regain perfect eyesight and minimize risk of post Lasik eye complications. It is true that not every clinic and hospitals have the required femtosecond laser equipment to perform IntraLasik. The associated increased price (about $300) for using it over a mechanical microkeratome is also a valid point.

IntraLasik is currently reported to produce more temporary vision problems such as light sensitivity and discomfort during the initial post operation days. A unique condition known as photophobia is also attributed to IntraLasik and it happens to around 20% of all patients. Most eye surgeons report that steroid based eye drops can alleviate these conditions. Despite these issues, many qualified Lasik doctors will still recommend this safer option as long as the patients have the allocated budget for it.

We hope that this short discussion has helped dispel any misconceptions held about this new and safe all laser Lasik technique. Regardless of whether you choose to undergo this procedure, we want to emphasis that choosing a well qualified and reputable Lasik surgeon to perform the operation is just as important compared to the procedure employed.