Is Bladeless LASIK the "Gold Standard"?

CHICAGO, IL, January 01, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Calling anything the "gold standard" is subjective. Most eye doctors offer their patients a choice when it comes to LASIK because they understand that the needs of each patient are unique. In studies, it has been found that the results offered by both types of LASIK are identical, making the primary difference an increased number of people who can receive LASIK due to all laser technology.

Understanding Traditional vs. Bladeless LASIK
No matter what type of LASIK you have, a flap will need to be made in your cornea allowing your eye doctor to reshape your eye. With traditional LASIK, this is done with a precision surgical instrument called a microkeratome. For bladeless, or all laser LASIK, this is done with a laser. Some doctors take offense to the term "bladeless" as it can imply that there is no need for creating an incision, and that traditional LASIK is somehow a frightening procedure. In truth, both of these procedures require an incision, and both of them are safe, effective, and painless.

This is not to say there aren't any differences between all-laser and traditional LASIK. Lasers are extremely precise, which means people with thinner corneas who are not candidates for traditional LASIK can often have a bladeless LASIK procedure. Due to the precision of the laser, the creation of the flap may also be more even. While there is still no empirical data to support the claim that a bladeless LASIK flap reduces risks for complications, many doctors recommend it due to anecdotal evidence.

source: 24-7 press release

Avedro Announces CE Approval for Lasik Xtra(TM)

WALTHAM, Mass., Jan 04, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Avedro, Inc. announced today that the Company's proprietary Lasik Xtra procedure has received CE Approval. Lasik Xtra is a two minute procedure used in conjunction with standard Lasik to restore the biomechanical integrity and strength to the cornea after a Lasik procedure. Lasik Xtra has been successfully used in thousands of Lasik surgeries outside the US.

"Cross-linking within a LASIK procedure using Lasik Xtra is simple, fast and safe," said A. John Kanellopoulos, MD, a leading refractive surgeon and member of Avedro's Medical Advisory Board. "In studies we'll be reporting at ASCRS in April we've found that after almost two years of follow-up, hyperopes appear to have a completely different clinical course if we employ prophylactic cross-linking in their LASIK procedures. Hyperopic LASIK typically regresses more than myopic LASIK."

Lasik Xtra combines VibeX(TM) (riboflavin ophthalmic solution) with its KXL(TM) System (UVA irradiation) to achieve accelerated corneal cross-linking during a Lasik procedure. "Avedro has the only cross-linking products specifically CE approved for performing Lasik Xtra and we are pleased to offer those products to a growing number of ophthalmologists and their Lasik patients outside the US," said David Muller, CEO of Avedro.

source: Avedro

More Options Available for Those Looking to Have LASIK in 2012

Those looking to have their vision surgically corrected often assume that means they will undergo LASIK surgery. However, thanks to new technology and procedures, there are now multiple options available to surgically correct one’s vision. Those looking to rid themselves of glasses or contact lenses may be confused as to which option, if any, is best for them. Hoopes Vision, a practice offering LASIK in Salt Lake City, Utah as well as other forms of vision correction surgery, is reminding those looking into LASIK surgery to explore all options before committing to have their vision surgically altered.

It is important to visit a facility with surgeons who are experienced and comfortable with a wide range of surgical vision correction options when investigating vision correction surgery. According to Phillip C. Hoopes, MD, chief surgeon at Hoopes Vision and the most experienced LASIK surgeon in Utah, “When determining which form of vision correction surgery is best for an individual, the surgeon must consider the age and health of the patient, degree of refractive prescription to be treated, the patient’s individual vision requirements, and the anatomy of the patient’s eye. Laser vision correction is a popular choice, but some people will be better off with a lens implant. In some cases no current form of vision correction surgery is appropriate.”

source: PR Web