There may be many people who want LASIK but have been told they are not good candidates because their cornea is too thin, their myopia too severe, or because they felt uneasy about having a metal blade used on their eye during surgery. IntraLASIK, or IntraLase, is a technology that not only replaces metal blades with lasers, but can help those whose corneas were too thin to create a flap using traditional means.
Corneal Flap
In order to help patients see better, a flap is created in the cornea of the eye. Some LASIK surgeons may find that it is not possible to create the flap because the is too thin.. If there is not enough thickness in the cornea it can lead to other visual problems.
Corneal flaps have traditionally been created using a microkeratome, or mechanical blade. However, these blades sometimes present the surgeon with some limitations.
If you are myopic, you are nearsighted. This is dependent on the steepness of your cornea. The steeper the cornea, the more nearsighted you are. Because of the curve of the cornea in patients with severe myopia, the microkeratome may not safely follow the route needed to safely create a corneal flap. Cutting too deeply would damage the stroma, the layer where the treatment is done. Blade free LASIK (IntraLasik) is a laser designed to form the corneal flap as the first step of the LASIK procedure. This programmable laser allows for flap customization (size, position, thickness) as needed for each individual patient. It adds additional safeguards against flap complications as compared to the microkeratome bladed systems.
IntraLase Advantage
Approved by the FDA in 2001, IntraLase is still a relatively new procedure, but it has already helped over a quarter million people regain their sight. There is no microkeratome used in IntraLase because it is done completely with lasers. To learn more about this FDA approved laser visit ilasik and Intralase facts.
If you are interested in finding out if you are a candidate for IntraLase – All Laser Custom LASIK, please contact the experienced eye surgeons at Horizon Eye Care. We serve the Charlotte, North Carolina area.
