LASIK Technology Used at Our Eye Care Centers
September 28th, 2013
One of the best things about the field of vision correction is that the industry is constantly evolving. The LASIK that patients undergo today is much more effective than the LASIK that patients underwent a decade ago. This is why so many eye care professionals are excited about the future: if current technology has gotten us this far, just imagine where it might be headed to next.Â
In its current state, there are two important technological breakthroughs in LASIK surgery: custom LASIK and bladeless LASIK(aka all-laser LASIK). Let’s turn our attention to each of these technologies, which when combined are referred to as “iLASIK.”
Custom LASIK Surgery
It’s true that all LASIK surgery is technically custom LASIK surgery. Yet what distinguishes custom LASIK from traditional LASIK is its accuracy. LASIK surgeons use wavefront digital mapping technology in order to identify minute imperfections on the corneal surface. By doing this, the most accurate vision correction can be achieved.
The Benefits of Custom LASIK Surgery
In the past, traditional LASIK could only correct lower order aberrations with any regularity. You may know these better by the following terms:
- Nearsightedness (myopia)
- Farsightedness (hyperopia)
- Astigmatism
Thanks to the digital mapping of custom LASIK, a laser eye surgeon is now able to address lower order aberrations as well as higher order aberrations. Higher order aberrations refers to the following:
- Glare
- Halos
- Starbursts
- Poor night vision
- Issues with contrast sensitivity
The custom LASIK surgery is completely computer-guided, allowing the surgeon to identify and treat the tiny corneal imperfections that cause higher order aberrations to occur.
Bladeless LASIK Surgery
Bladeless LASIK is the other major advance in LASIK technology. This means that the entire procedure is done using a laser rather than any physical tools, adding additional safety and efficiency to the LASIK process.
The Benefits of Bladeless LASIK Surgery
In order to perform LASIK, a flap must be made in the topmost layer of the cornea, known as the epithelium. In traditional LASIK, this epithelial flap was created using an instrument known as a microkeratome.
While using the microkeratome was safe, there was always the chance of human error and potential infection given physical contact with the eye. With bladeless LASIK, any chance of human error is greatly reduced, meaning a better patient experience overall.
iLASIK – What This Means for Patients
iLASIK is the industry name for the combination of custom LASIK technology and bladeless LASIK technology. It is the best possible LASIK today for several reasons:
- Treatment of lower order aberrations and higher order aberrations
- Reduced chance of infection
- Reduced chance of human error
- Increased patient safety
- Increased surgical efficiency
- Better recovery experience after surgery
- Better vision quality in the long run
If all of these seem interesting to you, we encourage you to visit the practice and learn more about the difference that iLASIK can make in your life.
Learn More About State-of-the-Art Laser Vision Correction
For more information about advanced technology and how it can improve the overall experience for laser vision correction patients, be sure to contact our Huntsville and Decatur LASIK surgery centers today. The entire team here looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you achieve the best possible results.
