How intraLASIK works

IntraLASIK alters the shape of the cornea to correct the eye’s focusing power. The way the cornea is reshaped depends on the condition of the eye.

In step one; our surgeons create an ultra-thin corneal flap (usually 90 to 100 microns or 0.1-mm thick) using a femtosecond laser. The laser creates this flap by producing thousands of miniature (1 micron or 1/1000th of a millimetre) bubbles in the cornea with micro-accuracy. The bubbles expand join together to separate a layer of the cornea, which becomes the flap. Then a second set of bubbles creates the side of the flap, leaving a gap at the top to act as a hinge.

The excimer laser (Bausch & Lomb Z100) is used to reshape the cornea depending on how the focusing power of the eye needs to change. The flap is replaced and allowed to settle without stitches, and because the eye is fooled into thinking that no surgical procedure has occurred, visual recovery is extremely quick.

The cornea in short-sighted patients is flattened once the flap has been created and lifted. Our excimer laser changes the shape using one of several algorithms: Zyoptix Tissue Saving, Zyoptix Wavefront or Zyoptix Aspheric.

The suitability of each will depend on a thorough examination of your eyes. Your Centre for Sight consultant will advise on which is most suitable for you. This will be based on a number of factors including a very thorough eye examination.

The cornea in long-sighted patients is steepened by removing tissue from the periphery of the cornea. This is done using Zyoptix Wavefront, a highly personalised treatment which suits patients with higher levels of long-sightedness, including astigmatism, and those who have large pupils and problems with night vision.

Steepen a flat cornea
for farsighted patients

Exaggerated illustrations of how reshaping a flat or steep cornea can move the point of focus backwards or forwards to hit the retina as it would in a normal eye

Astigmatism IntraLASIK results are highly predictable, especially when using Iris Recognition and Registration technology . Our Advanced Control Eye Tracker (ACE), UK’s first installation has improved accuracy further and we have treated extremely high astigmatism (7 to 8 D using Zyoptix Wavefront combined with ACE... To accurately treat astigmatism, it is vital that treatment is delivered at a precise angle, and if the eye is rotated by even a few degrees, the amount of correction can be reduced significantly.

Centre for Sight surgeons are corneal specialists with a long history of treating patients with high levels of astigmatism that has occurred naturally, or as a result of a corneal transplant.

 Presbyopia 

After the age of 40, the crystalline lens in our eye that enables us to focus and read becomes larger, harder and less adaptable. This can make reading small print difficult, especially in dimly lit rooms. When this happens, most people head to the pharmacy or their optician to buy a pair of reading glasses.

Laser vision at this present time is not altogether reliable in treating Presbyopia. Although many patients inadvertently obtain both reading and distance correction, at Centre for Sight we consider this a bonus. The odds are after laser vision correction in your mid to late 40s onwards, reading glasses are more than likely. Monovision or “blended vision” if this is being used successfully with contact lenses will be performed at Centre for Sight.

An alternative option and suitable for those in their 50s or older are Intraocular lens implants, either the ACCOMMODATIVE Crystalens or Multifocal, Acri.LISA, ReSTOR or Tecnis Multifocal all of which are available at Centre for Sight.

Click here for more information about multifocal IOLs and the various options available.