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.
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