Blade lasik is when an electrically driven mechanical spinning blade called a microkeratome is used to cut the corneal flap similar to how a deli slicer works.
All laser lasik vs blade.
However studies do not show that laser surgery results in fewer complications.
Is there a difference in outcomes.
While individual doctors may have their own preference most objective lasik surgeons agree that both methods can be very safe and consistently achieve excellent results.
Also studies haven t found that laser surgery provides better outcomes.
Femtosecond laser systems often are marketed as bladeless or all laser lasik although eye surgeons favoring more traditional microkeratomes might argue that both procedures involve penetrating the eye s surface.
A look at lasik past present and future.
All laser lasik eliminates the need for a surgical blade and offers greater precision and control reducing certain lasik risks and flap complications.
Two respected eye surgeons debate blade vs.
The first step of the lasik procedure involves creating a thin corneal flap with either an automated mechanical device called a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser in the case of all laser intralasik.
American academy of ophthalmology.
In traditional lasik a surgeon uses a microkeratome blade a small specially designed ophthalmic device to cut a flap into the cornea the clear part at the very front of the eye.
All laser lasik removes the need for a microkeratome blade tool to touch the eye and possibly push material and or bacteria into the eye.
The flap is then lifted to allow lasers to reshape cornea correcting the patient s vision.
Advantages of all laser lasik the use of a femtosecond laser instead of a mechanical bladed instrument to create the corneal flap in lasik surgery relieves a good deal of anxiety many people.
The alternative bladeless also called all laser blade free lasik or femto lasik uses only a laser to make the corneal flap and reshape your.
Comparing blade versus bladeless lasik.
The surgeon then lifts the flap and applies a laser to the exposed area to reshape the cornea correcting any refractive errors in the process.
The surgeon first cuts a thin flap of tissue from the front of the eye.
Using a laser allows the surgeon to make precise incisions in less time.
Blade lasik is performed using a specialized tool called a microkeratome a precision surgical instrument with an oscillating blade that cuts a thin hinged flap in the cornea.
Other complications that may arise surround the strength and quality of the corneal flap which is created to access and alter the cornea.
In some cases the laser can provide more correction than traditional surgery.
Blade vs bladeless lasik.