All-Laser Lasik, also called "IntraLasik",
"iLASIK", and "zLASIK" 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. The IntraLasik name comes from a combination of the
name of a femtosecond laser manufacturer, Intralase, and Lasik.
All-Laser Lasik may be performed with conventional laser ablation
or
wavefront-guided custom Lasik laser ablation.
There are several advantages to All-Laser Lasik that can make
All-Laser 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 All-Laser Lasik
to be more favorable than Lasik with a mechanical microkeratome
in providing vision with better contrast sensitivity.
Some patients, but not all, experience a short period of increased
corneal
edema with All-Laser Lasik. This slight swelling can cause vision
to be blurry, but the swelling normally resolves with healing. Occasionally
an All-Laser Lasik patient will experience some
photosensitivity. All these issues usually resolve during the
normal Lasik six-month healing process, however additional eye drop
medication may be required.
All-Laser Lasik is an option for nearly all who decide to have
refractive surgery with a corneal flap, but All-Laser 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 All-Laser Lasik is required.
If you are ready to choose a doctor to be evaluated for conventional
or custom
wavefront
Lasik,
All-Laser Lasik,
PRK,
LASEK,
Epi-Lasik,
NearVision CK,
RLE, or any
refractive surgery procedure, we highly recommend you consider
a doctor who has been evaluated and certified by the USAEyes
nonprofit organization. Locate a USAEyes Evaluated & Certified
Lasik Laser Eye Surgery Doctor.
If this article did not fully answer your questions, use our
free
Ask Lasik Expert patient forum.
Video courtesy University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary.
