Traditional Bladed Microkeratome Lasik

The Basics:  LASIK surgery involves two basic steps: creating the flap and reshaping the cornea.  Traditionally, the flap has been created with a microkeratome blade. Previously considered the standard for LASIK surgery in the refractive surgery industry, the microkeratome is a mechanical device that employs an oscillating metal blade to perform its corneal dissection.  However, despite the precision and safety improvements in microkeratome technology over the past decade, the microkeratome remains one of the most common sources of complications during the LASIK procedure.   Even though serious complications are not common, ophthalmic surgeons would prefer to reduce or eliminate the incidence of any complications during the LASIK procedure.

Much like the Radial Keratotomy (RK) procedure that was popular in the 80's and became archaic nearly overnight with the advent of LASIK, the new "platinum standard" IntraLASIK procedure has become the world-wide refractive surgery of choice, quickly replacing LASIK and PRK.