IntraLase LASIK Laser Eye Surgery
IntraLase is a new state of the
art laser treatment that prepares the LASIK corneal flap
by using a femtosecond laser. Normal
LASIK
treatments use a mechanical device called a microkeratome
which uses a blade to produce the LASIK flap.
This "No Blade" procedure produces a flap that is much more
precise in depth, is cleaner, more accurate and is
thinner. This results in many benefits to the LASIK
patient.
Although advancements are made in laser eye treatment every year
the introduction of IntraLASIK bladeless LASIK is the biggest leap
in technology since the introduction of standard LASIK in the UK in
1998. It is a bigger advancement than the introduction of wavefront
guided technology. Optimax were the first UK company to make
IntraLase available nationally.
Benefits of IntraLase Treatment Flaps
The major benefit is that
all suitable prescriptions can now be treated with bladeless
technology, thus eliminating the induced distortion and possibility
of serious complications associated with the creation of the flap
by manual blade. More patients achieve 20:20 vision or better;
fewer patients lose sharpness of vision. Both short term and long
term safety are improved upon. Increased confidence for both the
doctor and patient lessens stress and anxiety. Both mechanical
breakdown and human error are reduced.
Why have IntraLase Treatment at Optimax?
|
Better Results |
More people achieve 20:20 or better than
with any other treatment |
| Better Prices |
Only modest extra charges, same
treatment costs £4500 elsewhere |
| Better Vision |
Clarity of vision is often better than
with glasses |
| Better Safety |
Short term flap complications are almost
eliminated |
| Better Future |
Long term safety is improved due to
tissue sparing |
| Better Confidence |
Doctors and patients like it to
resulting in less stress |
LASEK versus IntraLase LASIK
Optimax provides
LASEK for low corrections because it is does not
have the complications associated with the cutting of the flap by
blade. LASEK treats the surface of the eye without cutting into it.
In the early days of
LASIK, most surgeons abandoned LASEK in favour
of LASIK, but in the recent few years some surgeons drifted
back to surface treatment because of safety grounds for mild cases,
where the risk of complications are lowest. LASEK is very safe for
low corrections, and now the "No Blade" treatment can
claim similar safety levels for all levels of treatment.
IntraLase and Wavefront
(Combined)
Customised
Wavefront treatment (CATZ) has been limited
in its ability to eliminate optical imperfections in
LASIK by its inability to correct induced
imperfections caused by the mechanical cutting of the flap made
after it had analysed the eye. Now that induced imperfections have
been substantially reduced, wavefront promises to improve sharpness
of vision for patients, above the quality of vision glasses can
achieve.
IntraLase Wavefront LASIK Results
Our outstanding statistics
based on 7,000 standard treatments during 2004 and 2005 are
published on our website. These should be
substantially improved upon when IntraLase Femtosecond and
Wavefront becomes the norm for suitable patients
both in the number who achieve
20:20 or better vision and the reduction in
complications.
Blade Induced Distortions
The blade is a mechanical instrument and can vary in its
precise measurements and straightness. This always leaves
microscopic imperfections in the surface of the cut as it passes
over the eye. The IntraLase Femto cut flap is much more precise and
is as near as possible distortion free.
Wavefront mapping is performed on the eye
before the flap is cut and therefore can not take into account the
blade induced distortions. It is for this reason that IntraLase
Femtosecond gives better result with standard (non Wavefront)
treatment than
Wavefront treatments with a flap created by
a blade.
High Speed Tracking
During treatment the tracker on the laser videos the image of
the iris 200 times per second. If you move your eye during
treatment the laser follows it precisely. This is the faster
tracker on any laser made.
Thinner Flaps (Tissue Sparing)
A major benefit of IntraLase Femtosecond is that it is much
more precise than a blade and therefore it can cut the flap at a
position very close to the top surface of the cornea. By getting
treatment closer to surface more tissue remains untouched below the
flap. This improves the long term safety by maintaining the maximum
structural strength of the eye following treatment. The depth of
treatment is only marginally greater than
LASEK.
Cleaner Flaps
Cutting the flap by laser gives a cleaner cut than a blade in
terms of sterility. The incidence of infection and inflammations
are almost eliminated as a result.
Optimax - Leaders in IntraLase Technology
Optimax leads with IntraLase
laser technology; with 18
lasers we were the first company to offer this technology
nationwide.
IntraLase, American made Equipment
We use one of the most advanced machine available in the
world. IntraLase are the leaders in this exciting new technology
and are three years ahead of all the other manufacturers of similar
equipment. They have sold over 99% of the worlds’ Femtosecond
lasers, (approx 590 out of 600 installed and in use). Optimax have
invested £5 million in bringing IntraLase to the UK national market
first.
Use these links for further
information: