Sep 12 2007
Grewal Eye Institute (GEI), the JCI Accredited Eye Hospital, fulfills its commitment to patient safety & expresses pursuit of continual improvement by introducing the revolutionary IntraLase. The safest and most advanced approach of customized laser vision correction has been introduced for the first time in the region.
The IntraLase is a 100% blade-free approach to corneal flap creation — the critical first step in the procedure to remove glasses. This new procedure utilizes the IntraLase Femto-Second (FS) Laser for performing the surgery. The IntraLase laser places tiny pulses of laser light, a quadrillionth of a second each, that pass harmlessly through the outer portion of cornea and form a uniform layer of microscopic bubbles at a specific depth and position within the eye, thus creating a flap by separating tissues rather than cutting with a blade of traditional microkeratome. The exact dimensions of this layer of bubbles are computer controlled for maximum precision and the process takes only 15 to 30 seconds. The tissue where these bubbles occur can be easily separated and then folded back to create the corneal flap at the time of the laser vision correction. After laser vision correction, the flap firmly locks back into place allowing the eye to heal rapidly.
Vision threatening complications like Keractesia and DLK, though uncommon, are attributed to microkeratome blade A microkeratome has a steel blade that oscillates back and forth, which can leave an irregular surface after the flap is lifted. This can affect the quality of post-operative vision.
The IntraLase, though, delivers micron-level accuracy, giving the ophthalmologist more control during the procedure and the ability to tailor the size, shape, and depth of the corneal flap for each individual patient and each individual eye—factors that are critical to successful customized vision correction. Hence the IntraLase provides the ophthalmologist the ability to customize and individualise the treatment as per each patients’ specific need. The IntraLase is a Bubble-Powered technique for the ultimate Blade-Free LASIK Experience.
The IntraLase is not only an absolutely contact free and blade free all laser procedure offering the highest degree of precision and predictability in refractive surgery, but is also better suited to the Indian eye and has the additional advantage of being able to treat patients that were not treatable under the traditional microkeratome technique. Because the microkeratome relies on a manual procedure for creating the flap, a minimum thickness of the cornea was absolutely essential for safe vision correction and patients with thin corneas were denied the procedure.
The new procedure is a boon for the Indian eye. Indians are known to have a thin cornea, which makes many of them unsuitable for the traditional LASIK treatment. Now with the availability of the IntraLase with micron level accuracy and computer controlled laser, even patients with thin corneas can safely get their glasses removed.
Eye transplant is another field where Intralase has brought revolution. Intralase laser precisely shapes the donor cornea button for eye transplant procedures.
Intacs or kerarings can now be precisely placed in Intralase created tunnels for reducing the number and improving vision in cases with Keratoconus.