Intralase Blade-Free Lasik

Intralase is a type of refractive eye surgery. It is one of the safest, most specific methods used in laser vision improvement these days. This is all-laser approach, less complications, more safety and improves exactness at every step, offering patients greater potential to attain exceptional results with 20/20 vision or better.

To best understand the benefits of Blade Free Intralase, it's significant to be familiar with that Initialize is a two-step process. All through the first step, the eye surgeon creates a small flap in the protective covering of the cornea. In step two, an excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea and correct vision errors.

The IntraLase is a 100% blade-free approach to corneal flap creation &mash; the serious first step in the method to take away spectacles. This latest process utilizes the IntraLase Femto-Second (FS) Laser for performing the surgery. The IntraLase laser places tiny pulses of laser light, a quadrillionth of a second each, that pass without risk throughout the outer portion of cornea and form a uniform layer of microscopic bubbles at a exact depth and position within the eye, thus creating a flap by separating tissues rather than cutting with a blade of traditional microkeratome. The exact dimensions of this layer of bubbles are computer controlled for maximum precision and the process takes only 15 to 30 seconds. The tissue where these bubbles occur can be easily separated and then folded back to create the corneal flap at the time of the laser vision correction. After laser vision correction, the flap firmly locks back into place allowing the eye to heal rapidly.

Vision threatening complications like Keractesia and DLK, while unusual, are recognized to microkeratome blade a microkeratome has a steel blade that oscillates back and forth, which can leave an irregular surface after the flap is lifted. This can affect the quality of post-operative vision.

The IntraLase, though, delivers micron-level accuracy, giving the ophthalmologist more control during the procedure and the ability to tailor the size, shape, and depth of the corneal flap for each person patient and each individual eye—factors that are critical to victorious customized vision correction. Therefore the IntraLase provide the ophthalmologist the skill to customize and individualize the treatment as per each patient's specific need. The IntraLase is a Bubble-Powered technique for the ultimate Blade-Free LASIK Experience.

The IntraLase is not only an completely contact free and blade free. Amongst all laser procedure, the highest degree of exactness and obviousness in refractive surgery, but is also better suited to the eye and has the extra benefit of being able to treat patients that were not treatable under the traditional microkeratome method. Because the microkeratome relies on a physical process for creating the flap, a least thickness of the cornea was totally essential for safe vision correction and patients with thin corneas were denied for the procedure.

Now with the ease of use of the IntraLase with micron level exactness and computer controlled laser, yet patients with thin corneas can carefully get their glasses removed.

Intralase Method

The best Option For Lasik Surgery is the Intralase Method. Improvisation is the key to better performance always, and this holds good for lasik surgery too. Over the years, scientists have been looking at ways and means to improve the quality of lasik surgery.

The surgery has involved two steps: cutting open a flap of the cornea and then making the required adjustment. Usually, the cornea is cut using a hand held device called a microkeratome having an oscillating metal blade.

With the invention of the IntraLase method, this inconsistency is now taken out of the equation. The IntraLase method, also commonly called 'bladeless lasik', is a breakthrough innovation in lasik surgery.

The IntraLase method takes away the need for a handheld blade during the surgery. The hand-held microkeratome while being extremely useful, came with its own set of problems.

While this process has been relatively safe, the one area where it has failed to deliver is the ability to provide consistency in depth and thickness while making an incision. This is primarily because of the inconsistency in the precision levels provided by the microkeratome. Besides there have been other risk areas, such as the flap being too thin, often leading to a tear in the flap, or the flap not being cut out entirely.

IntraLase is a computer-controlled technology used in lasik surgery that enables a surgeon to cut through the corneal surface and create the required flap with utmost accuracy and precision.

It delivers pulses of light in rapid succession, at intervals of one quadrillionth of a second to a specific depth. The depth to which the pulses are to be delivered can be fixed prior to the procedure itself, as also the position at which the flap is to be made.

IntraLase is the first of its kind used for lasik surgery, and the bladeless aspect of the procedure is a big plus for surgeons looking for the right depth and positioning.

While a microkeratome can create a cut that is one-dimensional, the IntraLase technology enables surgeons to detail all the specific aspects of the flap the thickness of the flap, the exact location on the cornea where it is to be created, the circumference of the flap, the angles of the edges of the flap.

This possibility enables surgeons to provide highly specific flaps for each patient, something that was not possible with the microkeratome. This is a huge advantage over other existing procedures of lasik surgery, as it increases manifold the accuracy and specificity of individual procedures for different patients.

One of the greatest advantages of the IntraLase is consistency in the positioning and dimensions of the flap. The second major advantage is that there is no physical contact of a blade with the eye , the cut is done using a laser.

There are considerably lesser side effects, with patients reporting reduced instances of inability to see well in places having a low light source. Besides, a corneal flap created using the IntraLase method of lasik surgery ensures that the flap falls back in the exact location after the procedure.

IntraLASIK

IntraLASIK is a form of refractive eye surgery similar to LASIK that creates a corneal flap with a femtosecond laser microkeratome rather than with a mechanical microkeratome, which uses a steel blade. The only difference between LASIK and IntraLASIK (also called 'All Laser Lasik') is the method by which the LASIK flap is created. IntraLASIK can be performed with any excimer laser that is able to perform LASIK, including conventional, wavefront-optimized, or wavefront-guided ablation. It can be used to surgically create monovision to enhance the ability to see objects both distant and near for those affected by presbyopia.

IntraLASIK is derived from IntraLase, the name of the first manufacturer to achieve Food and Drug Administration approval of a femtosecond laser for use in the United States, and the word 'LASIK' which is a surgical procedure. Although additional femtosecond laser manufacturers have entered the US market, the name IntraLASIK is commonly used.

Eye surgery techniques have come a long way in the past decade and in recent years, the development of IntraLasik has meant many people who formerly weren't good candidates for treatment, can now enjoy it's benefits.

Known as blade free lasik, IntraLasik has been described as one of the safest forms of eye surgery available.

It's many benefits include better precision, better accuracy, greater safety and a better chance of achieving 20/20 vision and beyond. It's precision and safety is unquestioned also it provides better vision for patients than the blade technique.

Basically, the Intralasik method involves two main steps.

1. Firstly, a small flap is established over the protective layer over the cornea and
2. Secondly, the cornea is then re-shaped and any errors are corrected.

Regarding the cost, it has been determined that the cost of Intralasik treatment could be up to several hundred dollars more per eye however, this can vary greatly from patient to patient. To offset this, as opposed to the blade techniques, there is obviously the elimination of blade related complications developing and in the final analysis, lower surgery risk is a huge factor in whether candidates decide to go ahead with any procedure.

Intraocular Lenses (IOL)

Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are permanent, plastic lenses that are surgically implanted to replace or supplement the eye's natural crystalline lens. They have been used in United States since the late 1960s to restore vision to cataract patients, and more recently are being used in several types of refractive eye surgery.

It is possible to implant a lens in the eye without removing the natural lens. A flexible lens is inserted through extremely small incisions in front of the natural lens to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness. Once in the eye, the lens expands to its full size, allowing the eye to remain relatively untraumatized, thus reducing astigmatism and recovery time.

A Phakic intraocular lens (PIOL) is a lens implanted inside the eye for the correction of either extreme nearsightedness or extreme farsightedness. In effect, the lens becomes an internal contact lens rather than a contact lens on the surface of the eye. It is usually recommended for patients whose visual correction is outside the range that can safely be treated with LASIK.

Types of PIOLs:

Phakic IOLS (PIOLs) can be either spheric or toric-the latter is used for astigmatic eyes. The difference is that toric PIOLs have to be inserted in a specific angle, or the astigmatism will not be fully corrected, or it can even get worse.

According to placement site in the eyes PIOLs can be divided into:

1. Angle supported PIOLs: those IOLs are placed in the anterior chamber. They are notorious for their negative impact on the corneal endothelial lining, which is vital for maintaining a healthy dry cornea.
2. Iris supported PIOLs: this type is gaining more and more popularity. The IOL is attached by claws to the mid peripheral iris by a technique called enclavation. It is believed to have a lesser effect on corneal endothelium.
3. Sulcus supported PIOLs: these IOLS are placed in the posterior chamber in front of the natural crystalline lens. They have special vaulting so as not to be in contact with the normal lens. The main complications with this type is their tendency to cause cataracts and/or pigment dispersion.

LASEK

Laser assisted sub-epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK), is also know as Epi-LASIK.

An acronym for Laser Assisted sub-Epithelial Keratectomy, a refractive surgical procedure similar to PRK, where the surface cells (epithelium) of the cornea are removed prior to laser treatment. Then the laser reshapes the cornea to improve vision. Once the laser ablation is completed, the surface cells are replaced over the reshaped area.

Laser trabeculoplasty is a procedure to stretch the drainage holes in the eye's trabecular meshwork to improve the drainage of normal eye fluid. Laser trabeculoplasty, a treatment for glaucoma, is accomplished with a high-intensity laser and a special lens.

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a type of refractive surgery that changes the shape of the cornea to correct vision disorders such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. The surgery involves making a thin circular-hinged cut in the cornea using a special cutting laser called a keratome. After lifting the circular flap, an excimer laser - a laser that doesn't produce heat - is used to reshape the cornea based on the patient's corrective lens prescription.

Comparison of LASIK and LASEK

LASIK and LASEK eye surgeries are equally safe and effective, U.S. researchers conclude.

In LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis) surgery, a flap is made in the top layer of the eye's cornea, allowing a surgeon to reshape the underlying cornea.

In LASEK (laser epithelial keratomileusis) surgery, the top layer of the cornea is treated with alcohol and then peeled back to permit reshaping of the underlying layer. LASEK avoids the flap-related complications associated with LASIK.

In this procedure the excimer laser is used to ablate the most anterior portion of the corneal stroma. These procedures do not require a partial thickness cut into the stroma. Surface ablation methods differ in the way the epithelial layer is handled. In PRK the epithelium is removed, a large epithelial defect ensues, and healing occurs by migration of surrounding epithelium (usually within a week). In LASEK and Epi-LASIK surgery, the patient's epithelium is not removed .The epithelium is lifted as a sheet and then after laser ablation, the epithelial sheet is re-placed to cover the treated area. In LASEK dilute alcohol is used to loosen the epithelium.In Epi-LASIK, a purely mechanical means of epithelial dissection (using Epikeratome) allows the creation of the epithelial sheet.

Laser Eye Surgery

Eyes plays an important role in high lightening you personality. Statistically, laser eye surgery is very safe and effective for correcting poor vision. However, it is a surgical procedure, and like all surgeries, there are risks involved .You need to research and understand what can happen when you have laser eye surgery so that you can decide if the gain out of the surgery overweighs the risks.

Although the terms Laser Eye Surgery and Refractive surgery are commonly used as if they were interchangeable, this is not the case. Lasers may be used to treat no refractive conditions (e.g. to seal a retinal tear), while radial keratotomy is an example of refractive surgery without the use of a laser.

Laser eye surgery has helped many people virtually eliminate their dependence on contact lenses and glasses. Even though it's relatively safe, there are several things you can do to prepare for your laser eye surgery so that you get the best possible results.

It is a relatively easy out-patient surgery. The number of people who get operated on laser eye surgery increases each year while the cost is becoming more affordable for the average person.

Types of laser eye surgery

There are many different types of laser eye surgery, divided between two large groups: Lasik and PRK.Lasik is the best-known type of laser eye surgery, which is why many people assume this is their only choice. However, not everybody is a good candidate for Lasik.When researching options for laser eye surgery , ask your provider about the options available and which is best for your specific case.

Lasik, though popular, may not work for you. Lasik is performed on patients who have a normal cornea that can resist a cut through both the outer and middle layer. Lasik is also the preferred method used to correct farsightedness.

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) may be recommended, especially if you have astigmatism. PRK doesn't involve cutting of any type. Instead, the surgeon removes excess of tissue from the eye. PRK is the preferred method of laser eye surgery for patients who suffer from certain corneal abnormalities that don't allow them to undergo regular surgery.

Another type of laser eye surgery is LASEK, Laser assisted sub-epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK),also know as Epi-LASIK.

LASEK is a refractive surgical procedure similar to PRK, where the surface cells (epithelium) of the cornea are removed prior to laser treatment. Then the laser reshapes the cornea to improve vision. Once the laser ablation is completed, the surface cells are replaced over the reshaped area.

There is a differences between Lasik (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) and Lasek (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis).Lasek is performed on patients whose cornea is too thin to support deep cuts. While the final results are the same, Lasek has a long recovery time (two weeks) compared to Lasik (one day).

Laser thermal keratoplasty

Laser thermal keratoplasty (LTK) is a refractive surgery procedure that uses a Holmium laser to reshape the cornea for correction of low ranges of hyperopia (farsightedness). The Holmium laser is an infrared (thermal) laser that uses heat to shrink corneal tissue.

LTK is a non-contact laser procedure, as there is no cutting of the cornea, and nothing touches the eye before, during, or after the procedure except for the laser beam itself and an instrument to hold the eye open. The laser energy is applied in a predetermined pattern to shrink the collagen fibers in a way that steepens the cornea, changing the eye's focal point. No eye tissue is removed in the procedure.

The LTK procedure is performed on an outpatient basis with topical anesthetic eye drops to numb the eye. Based on the patient's prescription, the laser's computer is calculated to deliver the number of pulses and the diameters of the circles needed to provide the proper amount of correction. After aligning the pupil with the use of a slit-lamp microscope, the surgeon activates the laser, and it transmits tiny beams of infrared light in two concentric rings around the periphery of the cornea. Because moisture in the cornea absorbs the energy in the laser pulses, the tissue shrinks slightly creating tiny craters, which tighten the cornea and result in a steeper surface. The laser never touches the eye, and the entire process takes just a few seconds per eye.

The LTK procedure is painless, although the patient may have blurry vision and a mild scratchy sensation for a couple of days. Antibiotic eye drops are normally used for about a week, and, if needed, Tylenol and ice packs can be used to relieve discomfort. Most eyes are fully healed in three days, and, although many patients report almost instant vision improvement, vision stabilization usually occurs within two weeks.

LTK is characterized by a very low incidence of side effects. Mild irritation, in the form of a foreign body sensation, was seen in under 2% of the cases and its incidence diminished over time. The greatest limitation of this procedure appears to be the possibility of reversion, or loss, of the vision correction over time. In general, about half of the corrective effect had been lost two years post-surgery.

Benefits of LTK

LTK treats mild farsightness and also provides a means of treating presbyopia (age-induced farsightedness). The procedure aims to allow patients to see near objects without glasses. For the FDA trial that led to approval of the procedure, at 12 months, 85.0% of the eyes were corrected to 20/40 or better and 37.4% were corrected to 20/20 or better visual acuity without spectacles or contact lenses. Due to the noninvasive and quick nature of the surgery, there was a lower incidence of complications for LTK than with LASIK, with less than 1% adverse events.

Other benefits unique to LTK are extremely fast procedure time (approximately 3 seconds of laser per eye), having the procedure done in the physiciaan's office the ability to have both eyes done at once, and immediate positive results.

LaserVue Eye surgery

Nowadays many people have vision problem so to overcome them they wear glasses and contact lenses .However most of them are get bored and tired carrying the glasses and lenses all through their life. Few people feel ashamed to wear them and show their disabilities in vision.

In this modern time it is not difficult to find solution for the same. An alternative to reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses is LaserVue Eye surgery and also it is recognized by everyone and can transformed peoples' lives

What makes LaserVue so exceptional? Just these three words: technology, experience, and personalized care.

By collecting knowledge more about Lasik Eye Surgery and Custom Lasik Surgery, you are enchanting the initial significant step towards achieving enhanced, regular, natural vision. The gift to see healthier not including the hassles of contact lenses or glasses has motivated patients to discover new opportunities in their own lives, in their workplace and recreational activities. Lasik patients have freed themselves from the lots of limits glasses or contact lenses can make and so can benefit from this new found freedom with better vision. Lasik Laser Eye Surgery and Custom Lasik are not for everybody. You should make a well informed decision when choosing this treatment. A Lasik Surgeon can help you decide if Lasik or Custom Lasik is right for you.

At the same time as with any surgical treatment, there are risks. Luckily, though, the risks are small and the patient satisfaction rate is high.

The method while operating is painless. Your eye is asleep with freezing eye drops. You will be conscious and relaxed during the process. The majority people experience 4-6 hours of mild frustration after their Lasik process and can return to work the next day.

The vision improvement is everlasting. Though, your vision may change of course with time and Lasik does not have an effect on visual situation that may increase with age. In addition, Lasik does not avoid presbyopia and the eventual need for reading glasses. Depending on the cause, retreatment may be a feasible way out to later vision changes, and other treatment options as well are present.