Seeing Clearly: how bladeless LASIK is changing the game

LASIK, or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is a treatment that reshapes the cornea using a laser. Doing so can correct refractive errors, such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and astigmatism. You might have heard the term “bladeless LASIK”, but what does the term actually mean?

The following demystifies the process, explains the difference between the two main kinds, and discusses the reasons you might want to undergo bladeless LASIK.

Everything You Need to Know about Bladeless LASIK

Bladeless vs. traditional LASIK
The advantages of bladeless LASIK
Should I have traditional or bladeless LASIK?

Bladeless vs. traditional LASIK

To understand the difference between the two procedures, it’s necessary to have a little knowledge about how it’s performed. In short, LASIK (or any other kind of laser vision correction) is done by creating a small opening in the side of the cornea. This creates a flap of tissue that’s held open, allowing the surgeon to direct a laser into the eye and gently reshape the surface.

It's how this flap is created that differentiates traditional laser vision correction from bladeless. With traditional surgery, an instrument with a tiny blade, called a microkeratome, is used to make the incision. With the bladeless option, it’s done with a laser.

The advantages of bladeless LASIK

While both methods are safe and proven, the bladeless option offers the following benefits:

There’s a lower risk of complications, thanks to the accuracy of the laser
There’s a better prognosis for those with severe refraction errors
It can be carried out on those with thin corneas, whereas the bladed option isn’t suitable in such cases
The corneal flap heals faster, thanks to the uniformity that the laser incision makes
It’s faster, typically only taking around 20-25 minutes for the whole procedure
Pain and discomfort following bladeless LASIK are minimal. You can typically return to your regular routine in around 48 hours or so

Should I have traditional or bladeless LASIK?

For many people, the advantages mentioned above make opting for bladeless LASIK the optimal choice. However, what’s right for you will be determined following your initial consultation with your laser eye surgeon.

While some people may still be advised to have a traditional procedure, the benefits of bladeless LASIK mean that this is often the preferred choice for many.

In many cases, those who’ve been deemed unsuitable for laser vision correction in the past will be delighted to know that they can now benefit. Achieving 20/20 (or better) vision can be truly life-changing, leading to a life free from contact lenses or eyeglasses.

Bladeless LASIK continues to advance, meaning that the process will, over time, become possible for even more people. Today, the process is now considered by most ophthalmologists to be the ultimate method of carrying out the procedure.

It’s safe, effective, long-lasting, and has minimal impact on your regular activities for more than a few days. So…. What are you waiting for?

Ready to Find Out More About LASIK? Contact the WBEC Today

When it comes to laser vision correction, there’s no better place in the US to have this done than the West Boca Eye Center. This academic-grade clinic is headed by Dr. Brent Bellotte, one of the world’s best laser eye surgeons. He’s committed much of his professional career to the advancement of the process and is regarded by his peers as being one of the preeminent laser surgery specialists today.

Whether you’re interested in traditional or bladeless LASIK (or any other type of laser vision correction), you can relax in the security that you’re in the safest of hands.

Visit https://westbocaeyecenter.com/ to find out more.