Regular LASIK involves the creation of a corneal flap with a blade. A thin slice (or “lamella”) is partially almost completely cut with a blade, with a small part left that acts as a hinge. This is known as a “flap”. This exposes the part of the cornea that is reshaped by pulses from an excimer laser. In femto-LASIK, rather than using a blade, the surgeon uses a second laser, known as a femtosecond laser to make the LASIK flap. Once the refractive error has been corrected with the excimer laser, the surgeon folds back the flap.
Procedure explained
We have been performing Femto-LASIK since 2010. Today, we rarely perform Femto-LASIK and prefer TransPRK using a SmartSurf Touchfree Laser approach, for the reasons described in the TransPRK section.
Which method is most appropriate for you depends on the individual measurements of your eye, which we collect in the pre-surgical exam and then discuss with the patients afterwards.
