LASIK vs. IntraLASIK
Most of us have heard of LASIK surgery and know that the laser vision correction procedure is capable of permanently correcting refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. In the past few years, advances in LASIK techniques have made the procedure safer and more effective than ever before. However, many consumers are unfamiliar with LASIK alternatives, and the differences between LASIK and variations of the procedure, such as IntraLASIK. Patients have more options than ever when it comes to vision treatment, and interested parties should learn as much as they can about their options.
If you suffer from vision impairment and are seeking a solution, laser vision correction may be for you. Offering permanent results and a freedom from eyeglasses, laser eye surgery can be tremendously beneficial. There are a wide range of procedures offered however, so finding the right treatment for you will require research on your part. Though we of course encourage you to discuss your needs and goals with a local refractive surgeon, you can also learn more about LASIK and its alternatives by reading below. Once you have a general idea on the similarities and differences between treatment options, you can contact a local eye surgeon through our DocShop network to schedule your initial consultation.
IntraLASIK
IntraLASIK is also referred to as all-laser LASIK or LASIK with Intralase®. The procedure is similar to traditional LASIK eye surgery, with one key difference. In IntraLASIK surgery, the surgeon creates the corneal flap using the Intralase® laser. After the incision is made in the cornea, the surgeon lifts up the flap and folds it over the eye so underlying corneal tissue can be accessed with an excimer laser. The surgeon then reshapes the cornea by ablating or removing offending tissue to achieve ideal curvature of the cornea and improve visual clarity. Once this process is complete, the flap is closed and the patient is sent home to recover.
Though extremely similar to LASIK surgery, the IntraLASIK technique is more precise and less risky thanks to the fact that it is blade-free. The all-laser approach affords doctors greater reliability and reduces the already miniscule risk for complications even further. For these reasons and more, many doctors are choosing to offer IntraLASIK surgery, or variations of all-laser LASIK surgery, exclusively at their practice. If you are considering laser vision correction, call your local LASIK providers and find out which techniques they employ.
LASIK
During traditional LASIK surgery, the corneal flap is created using a precise surgical blade known as a microkeratome. While the microkeratome has been used in millions of successful LASIK surgeries, it is associated with a higher rate of flap complications and side effects than the Intralase® laser. The laser is able to better control the flap diameter, depth, centration, and morphology. Though surgeons and patients consider IntraLASIK to be the superior treatment over traditional LASIK, the majority of consumers choose to undergo traditional LASIK because it is less expensive, yet still effective. Traditional LASIK costs can be as low as half of the price of IntraLASIK.
Contact a LASIK Surgeon
If you are interested in undergoing a laser vision correction procedure such as IntraLASIK or traditional LASIK, contact an eye surgeon in your area to find out if you are a good candidate for treatment. Undergoing laser eye surgery can have a positive and lasting impact on your life.
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