LASIK MD Laser Eye Surgery – IntraLase "All-Laser" LASIK
INTRALASE: Marketing hype or legitimate benefits?
A new type of laser was recently announced
– the IntraLase femtosecond laser – which uses a laser
instead of a microkeratome to create the LASIK flap. Although this
new technology holds potential, LASIK MD surgeons have chosen not
to offer this method to our patients. To date, scientific studies
on the accuracy and reliability of the IntraLase laser have not
been found to conclusively advocate better results. According to
most recent FDA findings there is no absolute agreement among eye
surgeons on the better choice for flap creation(1). Also, the
superiority of the IntraLase laser over the Bausch & Lomb
Hansatome microkeratome, currently used at LASIK MD, has yet to be
proven.
The doctors at LASIK MD would like to share with our patients a few
thoughts on this laser flap creation technique:
Hansatome microkeratome = proven
technology
Any new technology needs to achieve and exceed the level of safety
of the established standard to be considered for clinical use at
LASIK MD. The wide adoption of the microkeratome by surgeons around
the world has created a large pool of data and research to confirm
its safety and effectiveness. The Hansatome microkeratome,
currently used at LASIK MD, has been used successfully in millions
of cases over the last eight years and is the most widely used
technology to create the LASIK flap.
Hansatome microkeratome = smoother flaps than
IntraLase
LASIK flaps created with a microkeratome are easier to manipulate
than those created by IntraLase. The surgical incisions are cleaner
and smoother, as confirmed through an electron microscope analysis.
The Bausch & Lomb Hansatome microkeratome demonstrates greater
accuracy and consistency in creating the flap.(2)
IntraLase = more aberrations after
surgery
Aberrations, a common occurrence after LASIK surgery
within the first year, are a defect of focus, such as a blurry
image. In a comparative study of microkeratomes and IntraLase, the
IntraLase femtosecond laser induces more aberrations than a
microkeratome after surgery.(3)
Similar safety ratings
There are no independent scientific studies to substantiate that
there are less complications using the IntraLase laser instead of
the Hansatome microkeratome. In fact, the overall complication
rates are similar and there are even complications that only occur
with IntraLase.
Integrity of the equipment
According to the US FDA, in August 2003, IntraLase Corp. recalled
70 IntraLase FS Laser Keratome Systems in the US and Japan. Bausch
& Lomb's Hansatome microkeratome, currently used at LASIK MD,
has not received a FDA recall during its existence.
IntraLase = longer flap creation
Flap creation is measured in seconds with the Hansatome
microkeratome. The same process is longer with the IntraLase laser,
therefore prolonging the overall patient procedure time. Longer
procedure time can lead to more opportunities for unanticipated
surgical issues.
Why pay more?
IntraLase is more expensive than the Hansatome microkeratome.
Consequently, patients are paying hundreds of dollars more for a
flap created with IntraLase, even though this method is not
clinically proven to be more effective than a microkeratome. LASIK
MD surgeons believe that this increase in cost is simply not
justified.
LASIK MD surgeons are committed to offering only advanced
technologies and laser vision techniques to ensure the best
possible vision results.
The ophthalmology community is widely divided over the claimed
superiority of the IntraLase femtosecond laser over the established
Bausch & Lomb Hansatome microkeratome. The IntraLase product
warrants further research, study and longterm follow-up before
being put into clinical practice at LASIK MD.
