Frequently Asked Questions
What does IntraLase contribute to Lasik surgery?
How is it different from the conventional technique?
Why is it safer?
Why is it more precise?
Why does it provide better vision?
Is it a less painful procedure?
Is this the same technique that is used in other centres on the Canary Islands?
Can I have surgery?
Will they use a laser to operate on me?
Is it likely that my vision will be corrected?
Will the surgery hurt?
What type of anaesthesia is used? And the length of the procedure?
Will they operate on both eyes during the surgery?
Is it necessary to go to the hospital or do something after the operation?
What happens if I move my eyes during the surgery?
Will I end up with zero dioptres?
Will I need glasses after the operation?
Can I use makeup?
Can I do sports?
Is the outcome of the operation stable?
Will I need to have check-ups throughout the years?
What does IntraLase contribute to Lasik surgery?
Maximum safety
Maximum precision
Better vision
How is it different from the conventional technique?
In traditional LASIK technique, a hand-held microkeratome uses a steel blade to make a corneal cut or flap.
With IntraLase®, we use a laser to make the corneal flap. This type of laser with femtosecond technology means that we can perform the entire treatment with a computer-controlled laser, thus eliminating possible risks caused by using a microkeratome to create the flap mechanically.
Until now, the first step in a LASIK procedure involved making a cut using a hand-held microkeratome containing a steel blade. Although results obtained with this method have been good, we now have a computerised laser that eliminates many of the possible complications that occasionally occurred with this type of hand-held instrument.
You should not forget that even Lasik technique is very safe, many of the complications that could occur are due to the process of creating the flap with this blade.
Clinical studies have shown that the risk of complications is drastically reduced by replacing this conventional hand-held instrument with a laser beam.
With a laser it is possible to create a more uniform size flap, especially with respect to thickness. The flap we obtain is much more predictable, which increases the precision of the entire process and the possibility of creating a thin flap, thus preserving a larger amount of corneal tissue.
IntraLase’s precision enables us to perform the procedure more precisely, which means we are able to obtain better results and can even to treat patients that could not be treated with the conventional system.
Why does it provide better vision?
Comparative clinical studies confirm that patients see better after a LASIK procedure performed with IntraLase® than after one performed with hand-held microkeratomes.
Clinical studies show that a larger number of patients achieve 20/20 vision or even better with IntraLase® than with conventional microkeratome.
Is it a less painful procedure?
Treatment performed with IntraLase is less aggressive than that performed with conventional microkeratome; therefore, it is less uncomfortable. In fact, patients that have been treated in one eye with microkeratome and in the other eye with IntraLase always choose the eye treated with IntraLase as the most comfortable and the less stressful.
Is this the same technique that is used in other centres on the Canary Islands?
No. Clínica Eurocanarias Oftalmológica is currently the only eye care facility on the Canary Islands that offers the advantages that IntraLase technology contributes to Lasik surgery.
Approximately 95% of the people can have surgery to correct their myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism. Nonetheless, it is essential to have an ophthalmologic check-up that includes certain tests to confirm if you can be operated on.
Will they use a laser to operate on me?
The most frequently used method is Lasik; however, the characteristics of your eyes may make it recommendable to use other techniques with the Excimer Laser (Epilasik, PRK, ...) or to implant intraocular lenses. The choice of the most appropriate solution has to do with the strength of your vision, your age, the thickness of your cornea, the diameter of your pupil, the shape of your cornea, etc. The number of people suitable for surgery with the LASIK technique has increased with the appearance INTRALASE, which is an entirely computerised technique that eliminates the mechanical phase of conventional LASIK involving the use of microkeratomes outfitted with a surgical blade.
Is it likely that my vision will be corrected?
Yes. Nevertheless, you should listen to the explanations given by our ophthalmologists and ask them all necessary questions. In medicine, there are no 100% guarantees when carrying out any type of surgical procedure; however, our extensive experience and the state-of-the-art technology we use ensure the highest levels of safety that can currently be offered today in medicine.
The procedure is painless. You will only have the sensation that we are working on your eye.
What type of anaesthesia is used? How long is the procedure?
The anaesthesia is given in eye drops. The procedure normally lasts approximately 10 minutes for each eye.
Will they operate on both eyes during the surgery?
Normally, both eyes are operated on during the same procedure. However, when the doctors discuss the procedure with you, you can decide if you prefer to have the treatment done on both eyes at the same time or separately.
Is it necessary to go to hospital or do something after the operation?
The procedure is performed without hospitalisation and you will be back home shortly after undergoing the surgery, without having to cover your eyes. In general, it is recommendable to rest the first day. After the second day, it is very common to be able to do most of your daily activities, even if visual acuity has not been recovered completely. The time it takes for vision to stabilise varies from one person to another, but it usually occurs just a few weeks after treatment.
What happens if I move my eyes during the surgery?
It is not a problem, since the technology of our devices makes it so they follow you automatically or even stop if the movement is very large.
Will I end up with zero dioptres?
Having zero dioptres is something that cannot be guaranteed. Most people that don't use glasses do not have zero dioptres. The goal of the procedure is to eliminate dependency on glasses and to try and achieve the best vision strength and visual acuity possible.
Will I need glasses after the operation?
It is most probable that you will not need glasses in your day-to-day life until your eyes become strained; then you will need glasses to see up close, just like people that have not undergone surgery. Nonetheless, some people may have a more focused vision if they wear fine-lens glasses and, therefore, prefer to use glasses in certain situations like driving or going to the cinema.
On the day of the procedure and during the first week following the procedure, you should not wear makeup. After this time, you can use cosmetics as you normally would. It is also recommendable that you don't wear perfumes, colognes or deodorants with alcohol on the day of the procedure
It is advisable to not receive any sort of traumatism in the eye area, especially during the first two weeks after the operation. Nevertheless, you can do all types of activities where there is not a risk of traumatism in the eye area, such as walking, jogging or riding a bike. It is not recommendable to go to the swimming pool or to swim in the sea until after the first week or to open your eyes under water during the first two weeks.
Is the outcome of the operation stable?
In most cases, yes. Nonetheless, some people may experience a variation in the strength of their vision, but it is generally a minor variation.
¿Will I need to have check-ups throughout the years?
It is recommendable to have a check-up once a year. The eye's vision strength is operated on, but any other types of problems with the retina, crystalline lens, etc. may occur, since the eye still has the same structure that it had before the treatment, except for the cornea.
