LASIK, or laser vision correction surgery, has become increasingly popular, worldwide. In fact, the most commonly performed elective surgery worldwide is LASIK. Current technology has made it safer, and more effective, than ever before. The latest of these technologies is bladeless LASIK.
Bladeless LASIK is known by several other names also. These include all-laser LASIK, Femosecond laser LASIK, femtoLASIK, blade free LASIK and robotic laser surgery. The surgery offers a safe alternative for vision correction for those patients who do not wish to wear glasses.
What are the differences between bladeless LASIK and conventional LASIK?
The microkeratome cuts a thin flap of the cornea, during conventional LASIK. Thereafter, this flap is lifted. The cornea is then reshaped by the Excimer laser. The change in corneal shape ensures that the rays of light entering the eye are sharply focused on the retina. This means that you do not need glasses for better vision.
During bladeless LASIK, an advanced high energy femtosecond laser replaces the microkeratome. The rest of the procedure is the same as for conventional LASIK.
However, you must remember that both procedures are controlled by an advanced computer system. Because femtosecond LASIk does not use a mechanical microkeratome, it is called “bladeless, blade free” or “all-laser” LASIK.
What are the advantages of bladeless LASIK over conventional LASIK?
Here are some of the advantages:
- As compared to conventional LASIK, bladeless LASIK flaps are safer and less prone to complications.
- The incidence of complications like buttonholing, loss of flap, and decentered flaps, are much less. the flap edges are also more smooth than with conventional LASIK.
- Corneal abrasions are less frequent.
- The flaps are more symmetrical and of an equal thickness throughout. A sophisticated computer algorithm guides the laser.
- Bladeless flaps are thinner, and therefore, safer. For this reason, your doctor can correct higher powers, for the same amount of corneal tissue ablation.
- Healing, and consequently, recovery of vision, is faster with blade-free LASIK.
- Since bladeless LASIK induces less higher order aberrations, the incidence of haloes and ghost images is less.
- Blade-free LASIK provides a distinct psychological advantage as well. A blade or knife near the eye may sound scarier than a laser. of a blade or knife.
What are the disadvantages of all-laser LASIK over conventional LASIK?
Even though bladeless LASIK is the most advanced technology, it does have some disadvantages. These include:
- Usually, conventional LASIK is faster.
- Since the time for suctioning is less, it is safer in glaucoma patients.
- In patients who have had previous corneal sugery. cnvetional LASIK may be the preferred option.
- The higher cost is the biggest drawback of bladeless LASIK. The laser that is used to make the flap is expensive, in terms of, both, installation and maintenance. Moreover, the disposable head of the femtosecond laser is also expensive.
So which surgery should you choose?
Remember, LASIK is a safe, and elective surgery. The word bladeless or robotic LASIK ofetn misleads you into believing that conventional LASIK is a primitive surgery that uses blades to cut up your knife.
That is far from the truth.
Both procedures are very safe and effective ways of spectacle removal. Also, both procedures are carried out using state of the art technology. The only difference is that the cut in the cornea is made using different instruments. Bladeless LASIK uses a femtosecond laser. The conventional LASIK, on the other hand, uses a mechanized keratome.
So, which one is better?
Remember, both procedures come with their own advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, they are both sophisticated machines, and are as safe and effective as the operator. So, your doctor is the best judge. She will discuss the available vision correction modalities with you, and guide you towards the best possible option. You can then choose, depending on your needs and expectations.
Broadly, if you’ve had previous corneal surgery, or have glaucoma, your doctor will suggest conventional LASIK. Otherwise, bladeless LASIK is the preferred choice. More often than not, therefore, you will need to choose depending on its cost as well.
