One of the most amazing developments in laser vision technology is the development of the IntraLase laser. This laser has made LASIK 100% blade free! The laser creates bubbles which are 1/10,000 of an inch in diameter at a surgeon-specified depth in the cornea. In less than 30 seconds, a corneal flap has been created above a layer of microscopic air bubbles. This amazing development allows surgeons to precisely create corneal flaps customized to the unique shape of your eye. Patients who have been told that they do not qualify for LASIK are now successful and safe LASIK patients. IntraLase has created a safer LASIK. Complications such as buttonholes, thin or thick flaps, incomplete flaps, flaps of incorrect diameter, and corneal abrasions occur much less with IntraLase compared with the traditional microkeratome used in bladed-LASIK. Intralase also creates a more stable flap. Rather than creating a flat flap, an IntraLase flap is shaped like a manhole. It is uniformly thick with vertical edges. This architecture results in the flap being more stable and prevents it from slipping if it is accidently traumatized after the surgery.

In this era of advanced laser vision correction, blade-free LASIK with IntraLase is a must. The procedure is made safer, more comfortable, more accurate, and more predictable. It it these considerations that has allowed NASA to approve blade-free LASIK for its astronauts and the Air Force to approve this advanced procedure for its fighter pilots.