Advanced iLasik Laser Surgery

iLasik is an advanced refractive eye surgery which is used to correct refractive errors including hyperopia (far sightedness), myopia (short sightedness) and astigmatism. With more than 20 years of innovation, more than 15 million procedures worldwide and the broadest range of FDA wavefront-guided LASIK approvals, iLASIK Technologies are true industry leaders.

There are two steps in an iLASIK procedure.

During the first step, the Intralase laser method is used to create a corneal flap. This is a 100% blade-free approach to create the thin flap of tissue that the doctor folds back in order to complete step 2, which involves a tissue ablation with the excimer laser using advanced CustomVue technology. Flap thickness is much more accurate and predictable with the bladeless iLASIK method, and the preferred thickness can be pre-selected for each individual eye. The only other way to create a corneal flap is by using an instrument called a microkeratome. A microkeratome is a hand-held mechanical steel blade that makes a cut as it travels across the cornea. Flap thickness is less accurate with this technique. With the IntraLase Method, a blade never touches your eye and you are ensured accurate and safe eye correction surgery.

During the first step of the iLASIK surgery procedure, a fifth generation Femtosecond laser is precisely focused to a point within the cornea. Tiny pulses of laser light pass harmlessly through the outer portion of your cornea and form a uniform layer of microscopic bubbles just beneath the surface of your eye. The surgeon controls the flap diameter, depth, hinge location, width and side-cut architecture - factors that can be varied per patient. Just prior to LASIK surgery, the doctor can lift the corneal flap by gently and easily separating the tissue where these bubbles have formed.

The second step of the procedure utilises advanced CustomVue technology with the Star S4 IR system to reshape the cornea in order to correct the unique imperfections of your visual system. Everyone is different and your eyes are as unique as your finger print, which is why thorough pre-operative testing with the advanced WaveScan Technology is so important. The WaveScan System delivers unprecedented measurement accuracy (up to 25 times more precise than the standard method), enhancing the precision of the Advanced CustomVue Procedure. Measuring with this technology is THE critical first step to optimising quality vision with a laser correction procedure.

Think of the iLASIK Procedure as a tailored suit. When you have a suit custom made by a tailor, he takes exact measurements of your torso and extremities. This includes: neck, shoulders, sleeves, chest, waist and inseam. Proper measurements are crucial to ensure a perfect fit. In the same way comprehensive pre-operative measurements, with wavefront-guided technology, ensures a truly custom-designed laser pattern for each eye. Other refractive technologies, such as the Standard LASIK treatment, are like "off the rack" suits. The suit may be your size and beautiful, but the measurements are based on averages.

The bladeless IntraLase Method virtually eliminates the most severe sight-threatening complications. While LASIK complications are rare - when they do occur they are primarily related to the use of the microkeratome. The IntraLase Method is 100% blade-free, exceptionally advanced, and has been shown to improve outcomes for more patients. And patients report better quality of vision overall, particularly in terms of their ability to see well in low light.

To date, the IntraLase Method has been used in hundreds of thousands of LASIK procedures around the world.

Advantages of the advanced iLASIK System include blade-free, truly personalised laser eye treatment, enabling the surgeon to use the widest treatment zone possible, while preserving the most corneal tissue (saves up to 30% corneal tissue). It is the most advanced eye correction surgery and Lasik technique to date. This leads to quicker visual recovery time, less fluctuations in vision during the recovery time, fewer problems with glare and halos at night, and less chance of regression or the need for enhancement procedures.

The advanced iLASIK bladeless procedure is FDA approved for treatment for myopia, hyperopia and mixed astigmatism. NASA astronauts and U.S. fighter pilots can have laser vision correction surgery today because of the exclusive, validated safety and precision performance of iLASIK technologies. Better results are expected for every patient, but in particular for patients with irregular astigmatism and thin corneas.

For more information on this kind of refractive eye surgery, call Eye Laser Clinic today.