Patients are often surprised to learn that some providers utilize a blade during a LASIK procedure. The blade is used during creation of the protective flap, and is incorporated into a device called the microkeratome. The microkeratome is analogous to a miniature carpentry plane which passes over the surface of the eye and creates the flap. The flap is then lifted and the laser is applied to the exposed area.
Review of the literature shows that while bladed LASIK is generally safe, most complications that did occur were associated with bladed flap creation.

No Blade LASIK avoids microkeratome- related complications. Instead of a stainless steel blade, the flap is created by a femtosecond laser, an ultra-fast, highly precise system which places millions of laser spots at a precise depth underneath the surface of the eye. The femtosecond laser I have used since 2003 is the IntraLase laser. Because the laser is computerized, the surgeon has the ability to customize the flap contour and dimensions to tailor each treatment. The unparalleled precision of the femtosecond laser provides the patient with the highest level of safety.

At our center, following creation of the protective flap with the IntraLase, the patient is situated next to the Allegretto Eye-Q Laser. The Eye-Q system then performs the actual cornea modeling that corrects the patient’s vision.

Thousands of patients (including yours truly) have benefited from the precision and accuracy of our No Blade LASIK technology. Unlike bladed LASIK performed at discount LASIK providers, this technique requires the surgeon to be skilled in the use of two advanced laser systems to provide you with the clearest vision possible.