LASIK is a laser vision correction procedure that treats refractive errors, such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism (oval curvature), etc. by removing corneal tissue beneath the surface of the cornea. LASIK stands for Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis.
What is iLASIK? iLASIK is the most advanced and safest platform of LASIK currently available. iLASIK incorporates several of the newest advancements into one stream-lined procedure.
The standard LASIK procedure is a 3-step procedure:
1. A flap is created on the surface of the cornea.
2. A computer-controlled excimer laser is then used to remove the proper amount of corneal tissue. In less than one minute, the excimer laser reshapes the internal layers of the cornea.
3. The thin flap of corneal tissue is then folded back into its original position, where it bonds after only a few minutes of drying.
In a sense, the surgery is similar to lifting up the top pancakes in a stack to pour syrup on the middle pancake and then placing the top pancakes back down. The entire LASIK procedure usually takes about ten minutes per eye.
iLASIK takes the original LASIK surgery and upgrades it to make it even more safe and effective by adding custom treatment with wavefront mapping and IntraLase®.
Dr. Klein performs iLASIK and other corrective procedures with the assistance of wavefront mapping whenever possible. This mapping allows Dr. Klein to get a “fingerprint” of your eye and to perform a customized correction on the basis of this detailed information. Studies show that wavefront LASIK is not only slightly more accurate in its corrective outcome, but that visual contrast can be better too.
IntraLase® is a laser which enables Dr. Klein to create a corneal flap without using a blade (the old way of doing this). The IntraLase® laser is able to section the cornea without the risks seen previously with a blade.
No stitches or eye patches are required after iLASIK and the healing time is fast. In fact, most patients are able to return to their regular daily activities the day after their LASIK procedure. And, the results of LASIK are long-lasting, so you can view the world with clear, crisp vision for years to come!