July 8, 2005
TORONTO, July 8 /CNW/ - New IntraLase(R) laser technology that
eliminates use of surgical blade for LASIK procedure now available
at the TLC Laser Eye Center, Herzig Eye Institute, and Yonge Eglinton
Laser Eye Centre.
LASIK procedures traditionally start with the creation of a corneal
flap, using a hand-held device with an oscillating metal blade
(or microkeratome). With the new computer-guided IntraLase laser
- used in place of the microkeratome blade - surgeons can now
create a more precise flap.
Evidence from multiple peer-reviewed studies and over 400,000
clinical cases show that the IntraLase laser can create a safer
flap than the mechanical microkeratome, and can provide more patients
with better than 20/20 vision.
"A major key to better than 20/20 vision is in the flap,"
states
Dr. Machat at TLC, where over 90% of LASIK patients are currently
choosing to have the IntraLase procedure done. "The role
of the corneal flap, previously overlooked, is now known to be
a major contributing factor to the visual outcomes of the overall
procedure," he said. "And after thousands of cases,"
Dr. Machat adds, "we have found the increased safety of the
IntraLase laser to have significantly reduced the patient's fear
during the procedure." TLC Toronto was the first Canadian
clinic to offer the IntraLase procedure in March, 2003.
"The IntraLase technology is a significant step towards increasing
visual
quality after LASIK", says Dr. Herzig from the Herzig Eye
Institute. He
states, "Combined with wavefront custom LASIK our patients
are now achieving
better vision than they get with their glasses and contact lenses."
Dr. Rootman, from the Yonge Eglinton Laser Eye Centre states,
"We constantly strive to provide the latest LASIK technology,
in order to achieve the safest and best results for our patients.
And the IntraLase laser is one of the most recent advancements
LASIK science has to offer." "Many LASIK candidates,"
he believes, "have long awaited the development of this safer,
'bladeless' technology."
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 process from start to finish takes approximately
45 seconds. The surgeon then lifts the flap to allow for treatment
by the excimer laser. When treatment is complete, the flap is
repositioned.
For further information: Sigmacon Medical Products, 1-800-898-7455
Back to top... |
