IntraLase® Benefits
In order to ensure that each patient has the most positive experience during LASIK surgery and afterward, skilled Houston refractive surgeon Dr. Andrew Watkins offers the latest in eye surgery technology. This includes state-of-the-art lasers, the latest in technological advances, and the revolutionary IntraLase® technology. All of these used in combination with one another allows for exceptionally accurate and effective laser eye surgery.
About IntraLase® Technology
Houston IntraLase® sounds a little arcane, but what it really means is completely blade-free LASIK surgery. In traditional LASIK surgery, a corneal flap is created using and instrument called a microkeratome. It’s through this flap that the cornea can be adjusted using a safe surgical laser. With IntraLase®, the microkeratome is a thing of the past. It was approved for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2001.
How does IntraLase® work?
Using pulsed laser energy, the IntraLase® creates little pockets of air inside of the cornea in a specially mapped fashion. This creates a perforation in the corneal surface and hence creates the corneal flap. The rest of the LASIK surgery proceeds as normal. Since patients are given eye drops to numb the eyes before surgery, there is no pain or discomfort through this entire procedure.
What are the benefits of IntraLase®?
The IntraLase® technology works simply and reduces any chances of human error associated with the microkeratome. Even though Dr. Watkins has more than 25 years of experience as a Houston-based ophthalmologist, he sides with IntraLase® in order to ensure the most accurate and safe surgery for his patients possible. With IntraLase®, there is no chance of mishaps while creating the cornea flap since the laser is computer guided. In addition, there is no chance of infection since no physical object comes into contact with the corneal surface.
Why is IntraLase® so important?
Apart from the added safety and accuracy of IntraLase®, this blade-free approach to LASIK is so important because it is a major component of iLASIK (custom LASIK). iLASIK is the most sophisticated way to customize a laser eye surgery procedure precisely to a patient’s eyes. Using the latest digital technology, we can map higher order aberrations as well as lower order aberrations, improving results of the surgery and reducing the chances of any side effects after surgery.
Is iLASIK right for me?
In many cases, iLASIK is a great option to consider and allows many people who are not good candidates for LASIK to undergo LASIK surgery. Even patients who have thin corneas or poorly shaped corneas may be able to get iLASIK. It’s important that patients visit our surgical center for a consultation, however, since there are some conditions or situation in which patients will not be good candidates for LASIK or iLASIK.
Schedule a Consultation for LASIK Eye Surgery
If you would like to learn more about IntraLase® technology and how iLASIK may be of benefit to you, be sure to contact our Houston vision correction and eye care center today. The entire team here looks forward to meeting with you in person.
