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