Bladeless LASIK Facts
Laser eye surgeries are among the best solutions of correcting vision quickly and effectively. It is important for patients to get all of the bladeless LASIK facts, to understand the benefits of this surgery. Bladeless LASIK, Michigan utilizes two contrasting varieties of lasers:
- Femtosecond laser: The laser is directed to create a precise, hinged and thin flap. The flap is then temporarily pulled up from the cornea.
- Excimer laser: This category of laser is used on the newly exposed surface of the eye. The eye tissue is then removed through a precise pattern to change the shape of the cornea.
In all-laser LASIK surgery, the flap is repositioned to its original place to serve as a natural “bandage”. It offers better healing and comfort after the surgery.
Once the laser surgery reshapes the eye, its ability to concentrate light rays towards the retina is improved, resulting in sharper vision. FemtoLASIK usually offers excellent results with reduced chances of complications.
Bladeless LASIK categories
IntraLase laser was the first ever femtosecond laser to be approved in the US for bladeless LASIK. IntraLase gained the approval of the FDA in 2001. Later, IntraLase introduced several improved variants.
In 2007, Advanced Medical Optics took over IntraLase, which was included in the platform containing the CustomVue excimer laser. This integrated and new system is marketed as iLASIK. The IntraLase variant of the femtosecond laser can be combined with any kind of excimer laser approved for bladeless LASK techniques.
The list of other systems of bladeless lasers include:
- Femtec: This femtosecond laser received clearance from the FDA in 2004. Femtec lasers can be combined with any laser excimer system approved for bladeless LASIK operations.
- zLASIK: Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems, popularly known as zLASIK received FDA approval for its portable femtosecond laser. This kind of laser is also known as Ziemer Femto LDV. The laser is attached to a movable arm and can be used for creating a flap with bladeless LASIK along with any kind of approved system of excimer laser.
- VisuMax: It gained the approval of the FDA in 2007. The VisuMax laser is generally used with a variant of the excimer laser, known as Carl Zeiss Meditec Mel 80. Mel 80 was approved by the FDA in 2006.
The recovery process of bladeless LASIK surgery is similar to that of any normal LASIK surgery. Bladeless procedures however, have lesser chances of leading to dry eyes post LASIK surgery.
