LASIK is a technique used to help you see better without glasses or contact lenses. It can successfully correct Shortsightedness, Longsightedness and Astigmatism.
LASIK stands for Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis.
The word "Keratomileusis" is derived from two Greek words that literally mean "to shape the cornea". "In-situ" means "within". The term LASIK literally means "to shape the cornea from within using laser".
There are 2 components of the LASIK procedure.
Step 1: The formation of a Corneal Flap with either a Microkeratome (a hand-held device with a thin metal blade which passes through the Cornea cutting a flap) or INTRALASE.
In both methods, the flap is folded back to allow:
Step 2: The reshaping the Cornea under the Corneal flap using an Visx Star S4™ Excimer Laser.
What is INTRALASE?
Intralase is a laser designed to create a 100% Blade-Free flap of corneal tissue at a precise, predetermined depth, prior to the actual reshaping of the cornea using the Excimer Laser. Once the 100% Blade-Free flap Corneal flap is formed, it is then gently lifted before the reshaping of the Cornea by the Excimer Laser begins
Advantages of INTRALASE?
- 100% Blade-Free computer-guided technology
- Accuracy in fashioning a uniform thickness Corneal Flap of desired thickness.
- Better visual result
- Better quality of vision
- Virtually eliminates flap complications
- Higher degrees of long and shortsightedness can be treated as thinner flaps can be formed
How Long does INTRALASE take?
The Intralase method takes 30 seconds for the formation of the 100% blade-free flap. The LASIK procedure takes 15 minutes in total.
Is Intralase painful?
The Intralase Lasik method is performed under local anaesthetic eye drops. There are no needles or stitches. While you may feel pressure, the procedure is generally painless.
