Intralase LASIK Denver Colorado

LASIK surgery reduces refractive error in the eye by reshaping or removing a portion of the cornea with an excimer laser. Before the cornea may be reshaped, a thin flap in the cornea must be cut and folded back from the eye to ensure better access to the tissue that will be sculpted during the process. Creating this flap is crucial to an error-free procedure.

InSight Lasik now offers the IntraLase Method—a blade-free approach to creating the corneal flap. The only United States-approved manufacturer of this type of laser is the Irvine-based IntraLase Corp. This technology eliminates the need for mechanical, blade-based cutting of the eye and allows for more precision and accuracy in control of corneal flap dimensions (e.g. diameter, depth, reproducibility) that are not consistently attainable with the metal blade, or microkeratome, method.

The microkeratome method was modeled after a carpenter’s plane and invented in the 1950s. Traditionally relying on a mounted steel razor blade to cut the flap in the cornea, the device makes it difficult to accurately shape depth and flap thickness consistently, even in very skilled hands. While LASIK is extremely safe, the majority of flap-related complications may be traced to microkeratome use.

With the IntraLase, or “All-Laser” Method, the risk of complications is essentially eliminated.  With the femtosecond laser rapidly emitting pulses of energy (a quadrillionth of a second for each pulse), each pulse passes harmlessly through the corneal surface to form a uniform layer of microscopic bubbles just beneath the surface of the cornea. The exact dimensions of this layer of bubbles are determined beforehand by Dr. Tripp’s or Dr. Johnson’s analysis of each individual’s specific needs. This process is also computer-controlled for virtually flawless precision continuing for only 15-20 seconds. 

The reshaping of the cornea is facilitated by the IntraLase Method; the microscopic layer of bubbles provides an easy separation of corneal tissue that Dr. Tripp or Dr. Johnson then folds back to create the corneal flap. As the bubbles provide a more adhesive surface than a cleanly sliced segment, when LASIK is complete, the corneal flap is able to “lock” back into its original position. Your eye begins to heal immediately.