Frequently Asked Questions about Blade-Free LASIK (IntraLASIK) Surgery
These frequently asked questions are meant to serve as an introduction to blade-free LASIK surgery, also known as IntraLASIK, for the patients of Dr. Raul Peña in McAllen, Brownsville, Harlingen, and the rest of the Rio Grande Valley.
If you have any further questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact our refractive surgery center in McAllen.
How do I know if I am a candidate for LASIK surgery?
When deciding on IntraLASIK surgery, our patients want to be assured the surgery will be safe for them to undergo. During your consultation with Dr. Peña, you and he will initially discuss the goals that you have for treatment. He will then perform a series of tests that will determine whether the unique structure of your eye is well suited for blade-free IntraLASIK surgery. If your cornea is too thin or a corneal disease is diagnosed, Dr. Peña will inform you that IntraLASIK is not right for you and advise you of other options that may be appropriate.
Many patients who in the past were not candidates for traditional LASIK are now candidates for IntraLASIK. During this blade-free LASIK procedure, an IntraLase® laser is used to precisely create a thinner flap in the cornea than with traditional LASIK. With a thinner flap, Dr. Peña has more corneal tissue underneath with which to correct higher refractive errors.
What is the difference between IntraLASIK surgery and Zyoptix™ Custom IntraLASIK surgery?
Blade-free LASIK surgery is an excellent and reliable form of refractive surgery that is intended to eliminate or reduce patients’ dependence on glasses and contact lenses, while custom LASIK surgery is a revolutionary variation on this already life-changing procedure. Through the use of Bausch and Lomb's Zyoptix™ technology, Dr. Peña can provide more precise vision correction to LASIK surgery patients. Zyoptix™ technology analyzes the way light travels through your eye and creates a 3D map of the result. This allows Dr. Peña to address the unique flaws in your eye’s structure during your blade-free LASIK surgery, resulting in truly personalized treatment and clearer, crisper vision.
Will my Blade-Free LASIK surgery procedure hurt?
LASIK surgery in considered painless. Most IntraLASIK surgery patients find the procedure to be only slightly uncomfortable. Prior to LASIK surgery, anesthetic drops are used to numb the eye , and a mild sedative may also be used in some cases. Patients are usually able to resume normal activities the following day.
What is the recovery like after LASIK surgery?
Most of our LASIK surgery patients see well the day following the procedure and are able to resume normal activities. In fact, many patients that undergo IntraLASIK surgery after work are able to return the following day. Patients who have higher prescriptions, and therefore a greater refractive error to correct, may recover more slowly. In most cases, vision improves dramatically a few days after the procedure. During your LASIK surgery consultation Dr. Peña can explain the recovery process in more detail.
Are there risks involved with Blade-Free LASIK Surgery?
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved in LASIK surgery. However, a number of clinical studies have shown that the all-laser IntraLASIK procedure is the safest, most precise, vision technology available today. During your consultation with Dr. Peña, the risk factors of LASIK surgery, as well as any individual risk factors that may be present, will be thoroughly explained so you can make an informed decision about your vision correction surgery. Potential complications include dryness, surgical flap complications, under- or over-correction, and night glare. To minimize these risks, Dr. Peña provides each of his patients with a thorough pre-operative screening to determine whether he or she is a suitable candidate for LASIK.
If you would like to schedule a consultation or have any other questions about blade-free LASIK surgery, contact our refractive surgery center.
