What is Bladeless LASIK?

LASIK is a vision correction surgery that reshapes your cornea to provide better vision. By reshaping your cornea, light is more effectively focused onto your retina which produces clear vision at all distances.

To access your cornea, a small flap must be made in the outer layer of your eye. With traditional LASIK, this flap is created with a specialized metal instrument called a microkeratome. For several years, this has been an effective and safe way to produce a sufficient flap in LASIK surgery. However, as technology has advanced, new, blade-free options have become available.

Bladeless LASIK

Bladeless LASIK, also known as IntraLase, was approved by the FDA in 2001. With IntraLase, your ophthalmologist will create your LASIK flap with small pulses of light from a femtolaser. Using a laser provides your ophthalmologist both greater control in the size and depth of flap, and an enhanced ability to provide LASIK to people who have been told they were not ideal candidates for traditional LASIK.

People with corneas that are too thin or with severe myopia may not be candidates for traditional LASIK surgery. With bladeless LASIK, the problems created by a thin cornea are eliminated because the flap itself is smaller. Other advantages of IntraLase include:

Provides a smoother surface for the flap
Studies show IntraLase provides better vision in low light conditions
Studies show recipients of IntraLase are more likely to achieve 20/20 vision

When you visit your eye doctor for your LASIK consultation, all of your options will be discussed with you. IntraLase is a wonderful procedure for many patients, but may not be ideally suited to you. Working closely with an experienced ophthalmologist, the procedure most likely to provide you with optimal results will be determined.

If you are interested in learning more about bladeless LASIK, please find an experienced ophthalmologist in your area to schedule an initial consultation today.