AREN'T ALL LASIK PROCEDURES "ALL-LASER"?

No. The LASIK procedure as it was originally performed made use of a bladed instrument termed a 'microkeratome' to cut a flap.  An excimer laser was then used to reshape the cornea.  Today, almost half of LASIK procedures performed still utilize a microkeratome.

IS THE OMNILASE PROCEDURE THE SAME AS iLASIK and Z-LASIK?

No.  iLASIK and Z-LASIK are proprietary names for LASIK procedures that utilize a laser to make a flap but the OmniLase procedure takes the advantages afforded by a laser to make a flap a step further.  Using sophisticated fifth generation femtosecond lasers the flap is customized using a dashboard to preplan the exact dimensions and locations of the flap.  Safety is enhanced by allowing the surgeon to visually monitor the flap creation stage.  In addition, flap stability is enhanced by creating an "inverted bevel" flap edge configuration.  Finally, vision correction is achieved utilizing wavefront or topography guided treatments insuring the highest quality of vision.  The Ziemer laser utilized to perform Z-LASIK and earlier generation IntraLase lasers used in iLASIK simply do not have the capabilities to match the treatment criteria that designate a procedure as an OmniLase procedure. The OmniLase procedure is superior to both of these "all-laser" LASIK techniques.

IS THE WAVE-FRONT OPTIMIZED THE SAME AS WAVEFRONT-GUIDED?

No.  A wavefront-optimized procedure does not correct pre-existing higher order aberrations.  Only a wave-front guided procedure has the potential to produce better vision than eyeglasses.  A wave-front-optimized procedure only seeks to limit the introduction of new aberrations.

The two essential components of the OmniLase procedure is (1) a customized femtosecond flap that is created in two steps allowing for a side-cut that produces a manhole configuration and allows for a "second chance" feature and (2) a vision correction component that is based on both refractive error and pre-existing aberrations.  Total "true" customization of both the flap and vision correction leads to a procedure that is unmatched in safety or visual outcome.

Want more information on the OmniLase procedure or want to find a surgeon who offers the OmniLase procedure near you?  Please contact us.