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| The femtosecond laser creates a series of bubbles
within the cornea that when combined make the Lasik
flap. Click for video. |
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Bladeless Lasik, also called "iLASIK or Bladeless Lasik, is exactly
like traditional conventional or custom wavefront Lasik, except the corneal flap is created with a femtosecond
laser microkeratome rather than a mechanical microkeratome with a
metal blade.
Conventional or Wavefront
Bladeless/Bladeless Lasik may be performed with conventional laser ablation
or wavefront-guided custom Lasik laser ablation.
Potential Advantage
There are several advantages to Bladeless/Bladeless Lasik that can make
Lasik more predictable and safer than traditional Lasik
with a mechanical microkeratome, however there are limitations and
a unique set of concerns that need to be evaluated.
Advantages include more precise positioning of the flap, more
accurate thickness of the flap, more even thickness of the flap
throughout, and a lower probability of intraoperative complications
such as buttonhole flaps, thin/thick flaps, or epithelial defect. Recent studies have shown Bladeless/Bladeless Lasik
to be more favorable than Lasik with a mechanical microkeratome
in providing vision with better contrast sensitivity.
Potential Disadvantage
Some patients, but not all, experience a short period of increased
corneal edema with Bladeless/Bladeless Lasik. This slight swelling can cause vision
to be blurry, but the swelling normally resolves with healing. Occasionally
an Bladeless/Bladeless Lasik patient will experience some photosensitivity. All these issues usually resolve during the
normal Lasik healing process, however additional eye drop
medication may be required.
Occasionally Required
Bladeless/Bladeless Lasik is an option for nearly all who decide to have refractive surgery with a corneal flap, but Bladeless/Bladeless Lasik
may be a requirement for individuals with preexisting epithelial
defects, large pupils, thin corneas, poor contrast sensitivity,
or other physiological reasons that indicate the greater accuracy
and safety of Bladeless/Bladeless Lasik is required.
Looking For Best Lasik Surgeon?
If you are ready to choose a doctor to be evaluated for conventional
or custom wavefront Lasik, Bladeless Lasik, PRK, or any refractive surgery procedure, we recommend you consider a doctor who has been evaluated and certified by the USAEyes nonprofit organization.
Locate a USAEyes Evaluated & Certified Lasik Doctor.
Personalized Answers
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