How does IntraLase® differ from PRK and Epi-LASIK?
These three ways of correcting vision prepare for the surgery itself in three different ways. • In PRK (photo-refractive keratectomy), the corneal surface is gently scraped to expose the underlying tissue for treatment. • In Epi-LASIK, a certain tool is used called the epikeratome. It’s not a blade like the microkeratome that’s used in traditional LASIK, but a blunt separator. It creates a more shallow corneal flap, which is why people with thinner corneas can have Epi-LASIK when they are not good candidates for traditional LASIK. • In the IntraLase® Method, the laser forms the flap by creating thousands of microscopic bubbles beneath the corneal surface, so that the corneal tissue can be separated at the molecular level. In general, healing times are a little longer with PRK and Epi-LASIK than with IntraLase®.
