WHAT IS THE INTERLASE® METHOD

What is INTRALASE? INTRALASE is a blade-free technique used to perform the critical first step in the LASIK procedure: creating the corneal flap. The creation of the corneal flap prepares the eye for next laser, which performs the actual vision correction. What is the difference between a corneal flap created with the INTRALASE and one created with a microkeratome? The microkeratome is a hand-held instrument, which contains a steel blade that moves back and forth creating a cut as small gears move it across the cornea.

INTRALASE® - BLADE-FREE I-LASIK INTRALASE® - BLADE-FREE I-LASIK Viewed : 2171

A microkeratome is only capable of making a single, one-dimensional cut across the cornea. If the microkeratome does not function perfectly, it can leave an irregular surface. This can affect the quality of your postoperative vision. With INTRALASE the flap is made using a laser. There is no blade, no instrument that travels across your cornea and no gears to stick. In fact, with INTRALASE most patients cannot even tell when the flap is being made.

What about the “SURGERY THAT DOES NOT CUT YOUR CORNEA”?

All laser vision procedures require that the skin on the surface of the cornea (epithelium) be removed or retracted. In LASIK surgery, the epithelium is attached to the flap and is replaced at the end of the procedure. Epi-LASIK or PRK (photo-refractive keratectomy), Superlase and Surgery that does not cut your cornea procedures differ from INTRALASE in that the superficial corneal tissue (epithelium) is scraped off, cut off or retracted without being attached to a flap. These procedures usually require more post-op medication, and are associated with significantly more post-operative discomfort and a much longer healing period than procedures performed with INTRALASE

Does AAPECS perform the procedures that do not cut your cornea?

Yes, at AAPECS we offer all the surgical options available at other laser centers. However, we feel that the all-laser procedures are superior.

Is INTRALASE painful?
Prior to creating the flap, the doctor applies drops to numb the eye, and then applies a special ring that holds your eye steady. This part of the process is usually not painful—patients normally report feeling only slight pressure.

Is INTRALASE safe?
More than 1,000,000 procedures have been performed safely and effectively using the INTRALASE Method.

How long does it take to create a flap using INTRALASE?
The creation of the flap itself takes only about 30 seconds per eye. Including preparation time, the entire LASIK procedure usually takes about 10 minutes.

Do patients prefer INTRALASE?
In a clinical survey of LASIK patients who had their corneal flaps created using a microkeratome in one eye and INTRALASE in the other, the vision in the INTRALASE eye was preferred 3-to-1 (among those who stated a preference).

Is the “Surgery That Does Not Cut Your Cornea safer.

In many cases there are actually more problems with the surface procedures (Surgery that does not cut your cornea, PRK, Epilasik, Superlase etc) than with INTRALASE. Hazing of the corneal is far more common with surface procedures than with INTRALASE. Surface procedures may require the use of strong and potentially dangerous anti-cancer agents to either prevent or treat the haze

Which procedure is more expensive?

The overhead expense for INTRALASE is significantly more than for surface procedures (surgery that does not cut your cornea). Most practices have an additional charge for patients who want INTRALASE. At AAPECS Eye Care, we feel so strongly about the advantages of INTRALASE that we do not charge extra for all laser INTRALASE procedures.