What is a microkeratome?
A microkeratome is a mechanical device that creates the corneal flap in LASIK surgery using a steel blade. Its proper functioning is just as important, if not more, than the laser. Flap complications can have significant adverse effects on the outcome of LASIK surgery. These include incomplete or partial flaps, flaps that are too small, thick, or thin, buttonholes, and free caps. Although microkeratomes have advanced greatly, they still have large variations in the size and thickness of the flaps they create and are dependent on the individual eye size and shape, as well as the quality of each individual blade. IntraLase® technology is 100 times more accurate than the microkeratome in creating predictable flaps and greatly reduces the risk of complications. With IntraLase®, the size and thickness of the flap is not affected by the size and shape of the eye.
