The all LASIK procedure, sometimes referred to as bladeless LASIK, may
also be safer. Sanjay says I'd say the short-term outcomes are equal
and the risks are, in theory, less with the bladeless technique,
although our study was not designed to compare risks. Bladeless LASIK is
potentially safer because of its computer-controlled precision, the
ability to visualize the flap being created, and to stop the procedure
whenever necessary. That said, however, the risk of complications with a
traditional, microkeratome blade is very small: some vision loss from
surgery with a microkeratome blade occurs in well under 1 percent of all
cases. The long-term risks of either procedure, however, are unknown,
and defining them is the primary purpose of our study."
Although safety was not measured, after comparing all of the variables,
Dr. Patel prefers the bladeless LASIK because of its safety. The
researchers followed 20 patients who received LASIK for nearsightedness
or astigmatism. Each participant was treated with microkeratome LASIK
in one eye and bladeless LASIK in the other eye.
There was no difference in subbasal nerve density between types of
surgery, though the density decreased after both treatments compared to
density before LASIK. Neither subbasal nerve density nor corneal
sensitivity impact vision, but they do affect the way the eye can heal
from a scratch or other injury.
During the first three months the eye treated with bladeless LASIK had a
higher degree of corneal backscatter than the traditional procedure.
Patients could not perceive the difference after three months.
High-contrast visual acuity, the capability to see fine details, and
contrast sensitivity, the ability to perceive contrast in objects and
their environments, also did not differ between LASIK types.
Backscatter is haziness in the cornea that is usually invisible to the
naked eye and is identified through testing in a physician's office.
Cell densities in all layers of the cornea also did not differ between
the LASIK surgeries. The Mayo Clinic researchers hope to obtain
long-term information about patients' vision and eye health five years
following surgery. The current research will be presented next week in
three abstracts at the Association for Research in Vision and
Ophthalmology meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Dan Wilson
Best Syndication
Eye Care Products
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