Blade vs. Bladeless LASIK - What You Need to Know

Vision correction surgery is the answer for millions of men and women who rely on glasses or contacts to see clearly, and LASIK technology has become increasingly accurate and precise in recent years so patients can enjoy a safe and effective treatment. However, many surgeons perform laser eye surgery using either a blade to cut the corneal flap, or a laser called IntraLase to perform ‘bladeless’ surgery. 

The November 2007 issue of the Journal of Refractive Surgery took a close look at the outcome of LASIK surgery with both the bladeless procedure and the conventional blade. Researchers found that the people who had undergone the LASIK procedure with IntraLase experienced better visual outcomes in both the short and long-term. Visual quality was much better for those who opted for the bladeless technique, but it is not without its risks.

Which type of surgery really offers the most benefits? Here’s what to consider when researching blade or bladeless LASIK for your vision correction procedure:

Pros and Cons of Blade LASIK

The traditional LASIK procedure continues to be a popular treatment option for individuals who want near-perfect vision, but using a blade to cut into the cornea does present some risks. While a skilled surgeon can complete the procedure with minimal or no side effects, the risk of visual distortions is still relatively high. The blade used in LASIK is used to create a very precise corneal flap, but some surgeons may not be able to cut into the cornea accurately enough; the common complication of blade LASIK is the ‘buttonhole flap’ which leads to several vision problems.

Pros and Cons of Bladeless LASIK

Bladeless LASIK has been proven safe and effective because flap complications are rare. Some refractive eye surgeons suggest that flap predictability is simply better using a laser flap. Since the laser can be tracked on the cornea more precisely, the incision can be made with fewer complications. However, bladeless LASIK still presents some risk. 

Some patients report light sensitivity after their LASIK procedure with IntraLase, and this cannot be corrected in any way. Another drawback of bladeless LASIK is the cost; IntraLase is significantly more expensive than traditional LASIK, and doctors may charge extra fees for this specialty service.

Ongoing studies continue to point out that both blade and bladeless LASIK are equally as effective at correcting vision problems, but the outcomes largely depend on the surgeon’s experience and skill level, as well as the patient’s overall health and condition. Making sure that the eyes are dilated during the consultation and the surgeon has a chance to complete all pre-surgery assessments is a very important element of the procedure.

Finding an experienced and well-trained surgeon is another important factor when pursuing laser eye surgery. A skilled surgeon with several years of experience using the traditional blade procedure may provide a much better outcome than someone who has recently started using the IntraLase system.

Learn more about vision correction and laser eye surgery in our information guide, or consult with a LASIK surgeon in your area to discuss the pros and cons of IntraLase and traditional LASIK surgery.

Source: http://www.locateadoc.com