An overview of IntraLASIK
IntraLASIK is performed using the IntraLase laser. With traditional LASIK, the surgeon uses a mechanical blade, known as a microkeratome, to create a corneal flap. This flap allows the surgeon to reshape the cornea and improve the patient’s vision.
With IntraLASIK, your surgeon uses laser energy instead of a mechanical blade to create a quick, painless and precise incision for the corneal flap. In addition to making the surgery safer and more accurate, this method is more appealing to patients who are nervous about the blade portion of traditional LASIK.
The Food and Drug Administration approved laser vision correction using the IntraLase laser in 2001. Since then, the technology has been used to correct the vision of more than 250,000 eyes, treating a variety of conditions – including nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatisms.
How the procedure works
The IntraLase laser uses rapid pulses of laser energy to create a highly precise corneal flap. It’s computer-guided, which means the surgeon can customize the diameter, depth, location and width of the flap, depending on the patient’s unique specifications.
During the procedure, the laser will pulse through the layers of the eye, moving back and forth to create tiny bubbles that will eventually perforate the cornea. Once the tiny bubbles have formed, the surgeon will separate the perforated tissue to create a flap, so that he can access and reshape the corneal tissues.