Bladeless LASIK vs. LASIK

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

If you have been considering LASIK to improve your eyesight, you may have heard about “bladeless” LASIK, also called all-laser vision surgery. You may be wondering which option is better, and which one is right for you.

Understanding the difference in these two techniques is especially important since the price tag for bladeless LASIK is considerably higher than for conventional LASIK.

What is the Difference between Traditional LASIK and Bladeless LASIK?

With conventional LASIK, Dr. Hummel will use a type of blade called a microkeratome to cut the thin, hinged flap in your cornea.

In contrast, bladeless LASIK uses a laser, called the IntraLaseTM, to make the cornea flap. The IntraLaseTM laser sends rapid pulses of light to form a layer of bubbles beneath the surface of the cornea, which creates the flap.

In both types of LASIK, an excimer laser is then used to alter the shape of the cornea to improve vision.
While the term “bladeless” may sound less scary, the truth is that the surgeries are very comparable, and there is little difference in overall risk for a patient.

Sorting out the Pros and Cons

One of the most touted benefits of bladeless LASIK is that it leads to more precise surgery and fewer complications related to the flap. However, expert LASIK surgeons have disproved those claims in studies, demonstrating that with a skilled LASIK surgeon, traditional LASIK is just as accurate and safe.

Furthermore, while flap complications are rare in all types of LASIK procedures, they can happen with either bladeless or traditional surgery.

Bladeless LASIK does have one unique risk: Some patients report a greater sensitivity to light after undergoing this surgical technique.

There are more advantages to traditional LASIK than there are to bladeless. Conventional LASIK procedures:

• Mean less patient discomfort during the surgery
• Are usually performed much faster than bladeless
• Involve less suction on the eye
• Are the best option for glaucoma patients
• Have less risk of swelling
• Speed the clarity of vision after surgery

If you are considering LASIK, please contact the LASIK specialists at Hummel Eye Associates today to schedule a consultation. We serve patients in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area.