All Laser Lasik Vs Blade

American academy of ophthalmology.

All laser lasik vs blade.

All laser lasik eliminates the need for a surgical blade and offers greater precision and control reducing certain lasik risks and flap complications. Blade lasik is when an electrically driven mechanical spinning blade called a microkeratome is used to cut the corneal flap similar to how a deli slicer works. In traditional lasik a surgeon uses a microkeratome blade a small specially designed ophthalmic device to cut a flap into the cornea the clear part at the very front of the eye. All laser lasik removes the need for a microkeratome blade tool to touch the eye and possibly push material and or bacteria into the eye.

The surgeon then lifts the flap and applies a laser to the exposed area to reshape the cornea correcting any refractive errors in the process. Using a laser allows the surgeon to make precise incisions in less time. Also studies haven t found that laser surgery provides better outcomes. Other complications that may arise surround the strength and quality of the corneal flap which is created to access and alter the cornea.

It can improve accuracy and consistency. The alternative bladeless also called all laser blade free lasik or femto lasik uses only a laser to make the corneal flap and reshape your. However studies do not show that laser surgery results in fewer complications. The surgeon first cuts a thin flap of tissue from the front of the eye.

Comparing blade versus bladeless lasik. Femtosecond laser systems often are marketed as bladeless or all laser lasik although eye surgeons favoring more traditional microkeratomes might argue that both procedures involve penetrating the eye s surface. The flap is then lifted to allow lasers to reshape cornea correcting the patient s vision. Blade vs bladeless lasik.

In some cases the laser can provide more correction than traditional surgery. Lasik which stands for laser assisted in situ keratomileusis is a type of refractive surgery. Two respected eye surgeons debate blade vs. A look at lasik past present and future.

Femtosecond laser eases lasik fears. The first step of the lasik procedure involves creating a thin corneal flap with either an automated mechanical device called a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser in the case of all laser intralasik. Blade lasik is performed using a specialized tool called a microkeratome a precision surgical instrument with an oscillating blade that cuts a thin hinged flap in the cornea.