Bladeless LASIK vs. LASIK

Posted by admin Filed in Vision on Friday, August 14th 2009

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Search for information on LASIK vision correction surgery, and you’ll soon discover there is a large amount of information out there. And unfortunately, some of it can seem quite complicated. That is especially true when you begin to study the pros and cons of traditional LASIK surgery and the newer “bladeless” LASIK, also called all-laser vision surgery, and sometimes femtoLASIK.

Since bladeless LASIK is considerably more expensive per eye than conventional LASIK, you may also be weighing your options to see if the all-laser option is worth the higher cost. Following is a summary of information that may help you.

How does bladeless LASIK differ from traditional LASIK?

Both surgeries accomplish the same thing: Improving your eyesight, and ending your reliance on prescription glasses or contacts, by correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

In traditional LASIK surgery, your surgeon utilizes a microkeratome, a type of bladed instrument, to cut the small, hinged flap in your cornea.

In a bladeless LASIK surgery, your surgeon will instead use a laser, called a femtolaser because it uses femtosecond pulses of light, to make the cornea flap. The Iaser creates the flap by using intense pulses of light that develop a layer of bubbles beneath the surface of the cornea.

And that’s where the technical difference ends. After the flap is created, both types of LASIK surgery involve the use of an excimer laser to actually change the shape of the cornea to improve vision.

Advantages and Disadvantages – Bladeless LASIK

Bladeless LASIK is often marketed as less “risky” than traditional LASIK. This is because the laser is programmed to offer precise treatment, and no cutting of tissue, which together can lead to fewer flap complications.

In reality, research into the reduced risk claim has been contradictory; it’s clear that skilled LASIK surgeons can provide the same level of accuracy and safety with traditional LASIK.

And there are several unique disadvantages of bladeless LASIK. First, some patients can develop increased light sensitivity after surgery. And up to 56% of patients experience what is known as an opaque bubble layer (OBL), which blocks the excimer laser from effectively reading and treating the cornea. The patient must then wait 15-45 minutes before proceeding with LASIK. About a third of all femtoLASIK patients experience what is known as rainbow glare: colored lines that radiate out from light sources. Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK), flap necrosis, and gas bubble breakthrough are all additional risks of bladeless LASIK.

Advantages and Disadvantages – Traditional LASIK

The biggest disadvantage to traditional LASIK is that, to get the same level of results with the same, low risk as bladeless LASIK, it’s important to find a skilled and experienced LASIK surgeon. With this type of surgery, experience can be a real factor in keeping flap complications to a minimum.

There are other significant benefits of traditional LASIK over bladeless:

Patients experience less discomfort during surgery.
Traditional LASIK is a faster procedure than bladeless.
Bladeless LASIK causes more uncomfortable suction on the eye.
Traditional LASIK is a better option for glaucoma patients.
There is less risk of swelling, since there is less laser energy used on the eye.
Patients may achieve full visual clarity sooner.

How to Select the Right Procedure
To determine which LASIK option is right for you, talk with an expert LASIK surgeon. In the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area, please contact the LASIK vision correction specialists, in business since 1969, at Hummel Eye Associates.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/bladeless-lasik-vs-lasik-1125112.html

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IntraLase Bladeless LASIK Brochure (slideshare.net)
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