Femtosecond bladeless Lasik, is fast becoming the standard of care for patients who need vision correction, and do not want to wear glasses or contact lenses. Your doctor will help you make right choice, but chances are, Femtosecond Lasik will be it.
Femtosecond Lasik is blade free
Femtosecond Lasik is also called blade-free Lasik, all-laser Lasik, or bladeless Lasik. During conventional Lasik, your surgeon uses a mechanized knife called keratome to make a corneal flap. On the other hand, in Femtosecond Lasik, this is made by an ultrafast laser. Consequently, the surgery uses no blades or knives. This is also why it is a high precision surgery, with better results.
Advantages of Femtosecond Lasik
It is one of the premium laser vision correction surgeries for several reasons. These include:
- The procedure uses lasers for raising the corneal flap. Thus, the flap thickness is more controlled and predictable. Consequently the surgery is safer and more precise.
- It is associated with fewer flap related complications in the long term. Therefore, there is a reduced risk of corneal abrasions, flap loss etcetera.
- The surgery is completely bladeless. Because of this, pateints do not feel as anxious. There is no fear of a knife near the eye.
- Femtosecond laser is safer in thinner corneas. Since the flap is more predictable, it may be safer for correcting higher refractive errors also.
- The healing is faster because of the laser-cut flap. This also means better quality of vision after surgery.
- Fewer patients complain of vision problems like glare, ghost images and haloes around light sources.
Disadvantages of Femtosecond Lasik
Femtosecond Lasik also has a downside. These disadvantages include:
- Primarily, the biggest disadvantage of the surgery is its cost. This is because the Femtosecond laser is a highly sophisticated and expensive laser. In addition, the disposable equipment used for making the corneal flap also contributes to the higher cost.
- Flap related complications, though few, may occur. These include incomplete flaps, flaps with striae, and flap dislocation.
- Transient Light Sensitivity Syndrome (TLSS), may occur about two to six weeks after Femtosecond Lasik. The patient complains of increased light sensitivity. However, there is no change in vision. The condition resolves within a couple of weeks with eyedrops.
Are you a candidate for Femtosecond Lasik
Generally, if you are a candidate for conventional Lasik, you are eligible for Femtosecond Lasik also. You may discuss the option of the surgery, in case of the following:
- If you have mild/moderate myopia, hyperopia and/or astigmatism.
- In case your corneal thickness, as judged by your doctor, is adequate for correction.
- If you do not suffer from any eye or systemic diseases which may be a contraindication for the surgery.
- In addition to this, your doctor will perform a comprehensive eye examination to decide if you are eligible for surgery.
Contraindications for Lasik
- Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, Sjogren’s syndrome, Ankylosing spondylosis
- Immunosuppression due to medications or HIV
- Moderate to severe dry eyes
- Unstable vision
- Age less than eighteen
- Inflammatory eye diseases like keratitis, uveitis
- Moderate to severe glaucoma
- Pregnancy and lactation
- Corneal disorders like Keratoconus, corneal opacity or healed ulcers
Procedure and recovery time
Typically, you will spend half a day in your doctor’s office on the day of surgery. Even though the surgery takes about 10 minutes per eye, you will require time for the preparation. Usually, you can go back to your normal lifestyle, not long after the surgery. You will not be allowed to drive back on the day of surgery, so make sure you are accompanied by someone. Most patients get perfect vision the day after surgery. However, some patients may need a few weeks for the vision to become stable.
