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Before IntraLase, corneal flap creation
has been unpredictable.
Corneal thickness, curvature and symmetry are all variables that
can dramatically impact flap construction and safety. It is the
precision of the INTRALASE® laser that allows it to create
a flap that matches the specific characteristics of each cornea.
As such, the IntraLase laser creates:
• Full 360 degree dissection for greater symmetry
• Uniform flap thickness
• Uniform, dry stromal bed
• Round flap with variable side-cut architecture
• Ideal hinge placement
• Precise centration
Hand-held microkeratomes have standard deviations of mean flap
thickness two to three times greater than IntraLase and are unable
to produce the same high degree of uniformity and consistency.
Greater Safety
IntraLase surgeons believe that a more accurate flap creation
process allows for greater safety. This is proven in numerous
clinical studies that show a significant decrease in events that
adversely impact safety.
In a retrospective analysis of LASIK outcomes with the IntraLase
laser (106 eyes), the CB microkeratome (126 eyes), and the Hansatome
(143 eyes), Guy M. Kezirian, M.D., and Karl G. Stonecipher, M.D.,
showed that IntraLase demonstrated more predictable flap thickness,
better astigmatic neutrality and decreased epithelial injury than
the two popular mechanical keratomes.*
Better Outcomes
IntraLase surgeons believe that a better flap leads to better
LASIK outcomes. This is demonstrated in a prospective, randomized
study where patients had one eye treated with the IntraLase laser
and the fellow eye treated with the leading hand-held microkeratome.
Uncorrected visual acuity was statistically better with all types
of LASIK in the IntraLase treated eyes versus the microkeratome
treated eyes.**
 Just as
important, patients who had a preference preferred vision in their
IntraLase treated eye over the mechanical microkeratome treated
eye 3 to 1.**
Increased Assurance and More Patients
By utilizing a computer-guided laser that delivers micron-level
accuracy over 100 percent greater than a microkeratome,*** you
can give your patients the assurance they need that Step One of
LASIK eye surgery will be accurate, safe and a first step towards
getting the best LASIK result possible.
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* |
Kezirian
GM, Stonecipher KG. Comparison of the IntraLase femtosecond
laser and mechanical keratomes for laser in situ keratomileusis.
Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 2004; 30:804-811.
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** |
Daniel S
Durrie, M.D.: Randomized prospective clinical study of LASIK:
IntraLase versus mechanical keratome. Subsets presented
at the Joint Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
& the International Society of Refractive Surgery, November
14, 2003, Anaheim, CA, and the Symposium of the American
Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, May 4, 2004,
San Diego, CA. |
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*** |
Wang M.
Femtosecond technology: Is now the time to buy? Refractive
Eyecare for Ophthalmologists, 2003;5:7. |
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**** |
Mahdavi
S: How IntraLase technology is impacting the refractive
practice. SM2 Consulting, Pleasanton, CA. April 2004. Data
on file, IntraLase Corp. |
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“After 25,000 keratome
cases in 10 years, we have now done 10,000 IntraLase eyes since
2001. The advanced IntraLase technology gives our patients the
consistent corneal caps they need. We no longer offer the metal
blade. IntraLase is the way we do LASIK at Saddleback Eye Center.”
Charles C. Manger III, M.D.
Laguna Hills, California
The laser passes through the cornea at 15,000 pulses per second
with no effect on tissue until it arrives at the exact intracorneal
location.
Once the laser beam arrives at the pre-programmed point, a
tiny expanding bubble of gas and water is created.
The laser precisely places thousands of these bubbles across
the cornea in a raster pattern. You define the diameter, depth,
hinge location, and side-cut architecture of the flap.
Bubbles are then stacked to finish separating the flap from the
cornea.
78% of patients, when given a choice, chose to have Step One performed
with the IntraLase laser over a hand-held metal microkeratome.***
Additional sources on laser precision and flap creation:
Chayet A, Litwak S. Thickness measurements of corneal flaps created
with the INTRALASE® FS Laser. Data on file, IntraLase Corp.
Binder P. Flap dimensions created with the IntraLase pulsion
laser. J Cataract Refract Surg 2004;30:33-39.
Binder P. The femtosecond laser and the flap. Rev Refract Surg;
February 2003.
Manger CC. The IntraLase Advantage. Ophthalmology Management,
February 2004.
Guttman C. Femtosecond laser minimizes wavefront distortions.
Ophthalmology Times, January 2004.
Tran DB: Wavefront Characteristics After IntraLase Laser Flap
Formation.
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