Crisp, clear vision is central to a thriving, active lifestyle. There are several reasons that vision may not be as ideal as it could be. A misshapen cornea is one of the common factors that affect visual clarity. Here at Kirk Eye Center, we offer comprehensive care for a wide variety of vision and ophthalmic conditions. Dr. John Kirk has been providing personalized care to patients in the Northern Colorado area for more than 20 years. With individualized care focused on your unique needs, it's possible to reduce or eliminate your need for eyeglasses or contacts. Laser vision correction is one of the most common services provided by ophthalmologists. We're pleased to offer the latest technology proven to achieve outstanding results!
We know the decision to have LASIK surgery is a big one, so we take great care to determine what’s best for you as our patient. That’s why we offer blade-free LASIK treatment using IntraLase®. With the IntraLase®, pulses of laser light create your corneal flap, which is then lifted so the next step of LASIK the reshaping of your cornea can be performed. When your LASIK treatment is over, the flap is securely repositioned into place.
This bladeless, computer-guided technology is safer and far more accurate than the mechanical microkeratomes (hand-held devices with a thin metal blade) that surgeons may also use to create a corneal flap. You will be amazed to discover a world without the hassle of contacts or glasses with your newly enhanced vision.
If you are interested in learning more about what IntraLase® laser vision correction can do for you, contact our office in Loveland, CO at 970-669-1107.
What Is IntraLase® Lasik?
IntraLase is a newer iteration of the LASIK procedure. It's known as bladeless LASIK because it works without the microkeratome blade that is involved in the original technique. A microkeratome is a very small steel blade that is used during the LASIK procedure to create a one-dimensional corneal flap. This flap is lifted up to create access to the cornea for reshaping. Though this procedure is generally considered safe with very few risks, there may be some irregularity left by the microkeratome blade. The irregularity may affect post-treatment vision in a subtle way.
IntraLase has been used successfully on hundreds of thousands of patients eyes and we trust this advanced technology to deliver exceptional results. Our commitment is to provide you with the ultimate in comfort, safety, and outstanding vision. LASIK with IntraLase® can help you achieve all of this while it delivers the added assurance of knowing you’re being treated with the most advanced technology there is.
How Does IntraLase® Differ from Traditional LASIK?
During the traditional LASIK procedure, the ophthalmologist uses the microkeratome to cut an even-thickness flap of tissue from the front of the cornea. After pulling back the flap, the doctor uses an excimer laser to carefully remove tissue from the cornea. This reshapes the cornea to improve the direction of light through the eye. Once the cornea is shaped, the flap is returned to its normal position. As safe and effective as this technique has been, research determined that it could be better. The IntraLaser laser has refined the procedure to achieve that.
IntraLase treatment is performed using the IntraLaser femtosecond laser, created by Johnson & Johnson as the first form of bladeless LASIK. This laser does not touch the cornea. It creates a flap from the inside out rather than through direct cutting of the front lining of the cornea. During treatment, the doctor uses the IntraLase laser to direct a beam of infrared light to the central part of the cornea called the stroma. Here, the light causes tiny bubbles to form. Thousands of these micro-bubbles are positioned precisely around the cornea to push the tissue outward, resulting in a perfectly defined flap with a beveled edge. Not only is the technique different, but the characteristics of the corneal flap are different. The flap is created using the femtosecond laser, then the cornea is shaped using the excimer laser. The process takes just a few minutes and because the flap has beveled edges, it easily returns to its normal position.
What are the Benefits of IntraLase® Treatment?
The IntraLase procedure offers a number of benefits, including:
- Optimal outcomes due to the correction of both low-aberration refractions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism and high-aberration distortions like halos and glare.
- Quick recovery with few risks of complications.
- A high degree of customization. Each dimension of the corneal flap is created based on the shape of your eyes.
- Short procedure time of about 10 minutes in total.
What are the Risks Associated with IntraLase® Treatment?
The temporary side effects associated with the IntraLase procedure are similar to those of traditional LASIK. These include short term:
- Grittiness or itchiness
- Blurry or hazy vision
- Light sensitivity
- Soreness or aching
- Dry eyes and excessive watering
- Small pink or red spots on the white of the eyes
Schedule your IntraLase® Consultation
We're committed to achieving optimal outcomes for every one of our valued patients. To learn more about our laser vision correction treatment, contact us at 970-669-1107 and schedule a visit with us! We're proud to serve patients from Loveland, Fort Collins, Windsor, and neighboring communities throughout Northern Colorado.
