IntraLASIK

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IntraLASIK is a form of refractive eye surgery similar to LASIK that creates a corneal flap with a femtosecond laser microkeratome rather than with a mechanical microkeratome, which uses a steel blade. The only difference between LASIK and IntraLASIK (also called 'All Laser Lasik') is the method by which the LASIK flap is created. IntraLASIK can be performed with any excimer laser that is able to perform LASIK, including conventional, wavefront-optimized, or wavefront-guided ablation. IntraLASIK can be used to surgically create monovision to enhance the ability to see objects both distant and near for those affected by presbyopia.^[1]

The term IntraLASIK is derived from IntraLase, the name of the first manufacturer to achieve Food and Drug Administration approval of a femtosecond laser for use in the United States[1], and the surgical procedure 'LASIK'. Although additional femtosecond laser manufacturers have entered the US market[2], the name IntraLASIK is commonly used.

A LASIK flap created with a femtosecond laser is regarded by many ophthalmologists^[who?] as an improvement over traditional LASIK because of a greater accuracy in flap size, shape, and thickness.

Contradictory information exists as to whether the use of femtosecond lasers in LASIK achieves statistically better visual acuity and refractive outcomes than with microkeratomes.^[2]^[3]

Although the final long-term clinical outcome of LASIK with a mechanical microkeratome and IntraLASIK with a femtosecond laser may be similar, the increased accuracy of the flap with the femtosecond laser provides an added margin of safety. LASIK with a flap that is thinner has been shown to provide outcomes superior than a thicker LASIK flap [3]. A thinner LASIK flap requires greater accuracy and predictability.

A small percentage of IntraLASIK patients develop Transient Light Sensitivity (TLS)[4] which causes severe photophobia for a period of weeks, however normally resolves with healing and treatment.

Femtosecond Laser Intrastromal Vision Correction is a laser eye surgery technology that is one of several possible alternatives to LASIK now under investigation. Lower-energy femtosecond lasers may improve upon the traditional excimer laser by reducing disruption of ocular structures, with intrastromal ablation obviating the need for the damaging epithelial incision and ablation currently employed in LASIK and PRK procedures.

First clinical results were obtained in 2003 ^[4], and several different techniques are now under investigation, including both ISPRK (intrastromal PRK), and more ambitious wavefront variants. It is believed that intrastromal techniques may eventually increase predictability and repeatability of wavefront ablation. Both 20/10 PERFECT VISION and IntraLase are known to be sponsoring FLIVC studies using their respective lasers.

[edit] References

^ Monovision Lasik
^ Durrie DS, Kezirian GM. "Femtosecond laser versus mechanical keratome flaps in wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis: prospective contralateral eye study." J Cataract Refract Surg. 2005 Jan;31(1):120-6. PMID 15721704.
^ Lim T, Yang S, Kim M, Tchah H. "Comparison of the IntraLase femtosecond laser and mechanical microkeratome for laser in situ keratomileusis." Am J Ophthalmol. 2006 May;141(5):833-9. PMID 16678504.
^ Ratkay-Traub I, Ferincz IE, Juhasz T, Kurtz RM, Krueger RR (March–April 2003). "First clinical results with the femtosecond neodynium-glass laser in refractive surgery". Journal of Refractive Surgery 19 (2): 94–103.