IntraLase Procedure Improves Accuracy, Safety & Outcomes

VICTORIA, Aug. 30 /CNW/ - Clearly LASIK Victoria improves laser vision correction safety and visual outcomes with new 'bladeless' IntraLase(R) laser.

The IntraLase(R) laser replaces the hand-held mechanical microkeratome (or surgical blade), traditionally used to create a corneal flap before each LASIK procedure. With the new computer-guided IntraLase laser, the surgeon can create a precisely shaped flap with unprecedented accuracy.

Dr. Joseph King of Clearly LASIK Victoria states, "We've found patient comfort has improved with use of the IntraLase and the new blade free approach has greatly decreased patient fear. Combining IntraLase technology with CustomVue personalized LASIK has resulted in our patients rapidly seeing even clearer than they could see with glasses or contacts."

Evidence from multiple peer-reviewed papers and over 1,000,000 procedures prove that the IntraLase laser can create a safer flap than the mechanical microkeratome, and can provide more patients with better than 20/20 vision.

How The IntraLase Laser Works

The ultra-fast IntraLase FS femtosecond (fem-to-second) laser creates a corneal flap of precise depth, diameter and centration using an infrared beam. The silent beam of laser light is focused to a precise point within the stroma (central layer of the cornea) where each pulse of the laser creates a tiny 2- to 3-micron bubble of carbon dioxide and water vapour. Thousands of these microscopic bubbles are precisely positioned to define the flap's dimensions, as well as the location of the hinge. Bubbles are then stacked along the edge of the flap up to the corneal surface to complete the flap. The surgeon then lifts the flap to allow for treatment by the excimer laser. When treatment is complete, the flap is repositioned.

Clearly LASIK Victoria, operating as the Victoria Corneal Laser Center is Vancouver Island's only laser vision correction center. Founded over 10 years ago, the centre has a staff of three surgeons and is the only centre in British Columbia to offer the latest CustomVue wavefront guided lasik in combination with IntraLase technology.

For further information: Dr. Joseph King, MD, FRCSC, Clearly Lasik Victoria, (206) 850-1491 (cell); Val Jackson, Center Director, Clearly Lasik Victoria, (250) 360-2141, www.clearlylasik.com