Blade vs. Bladeless LASIK

When it comes to LASIK surgery, there are many complicated terms that are thrown around casually, and it can be difficult to know any of it means for you. One common area of misconception is the difference between blade (traditional) LASIK and bladeless LASIK surgery.

Blade, or traditional, LASIK surgery is just what it sounds like. In this procedure, a surgeon utilizes a highly specialized instrument called a microkeratome to cut a closable, hinged flap on the cornea (outermost layer) of your eye. This flap is then lifted up to allow the surgeon to use an excimer laser to correct misshapen areas of the cornea with pulses of laser energy. The laser is only used for about 30 to 90 seconds, and then the flap is closed for quick healing. The entire procedure takes between 15 and 20 minutes.

Bladeless LASIK surgery utilizes a laser instead of a microkeratome to make the incision for the corneal flap. While some doctors argue that lasers are better than blades, both types of LASIK surgery are routinely successful and achieve comparable results. Both have their own inherent benefit and risk profile. The appropriate method for your individual eyes can be chosen only after detailed discussion with your surgeon and consideration of your eyes’ unique properties.

Recovery Time

At the end of traditional LASIK surgery, your surgeon closes the corneal flap and it seals itself within a few seconds. During bladeless LASIK surgery, this process can take up to one minute. The quality of healing after this period is no different in either procedure and you can go home the same day with normal (and likely vastly improved) vision. You can do everything as you normally would, except that you should avoid swimming and rubbing your eyes for two weeks with both procedures.

Which is Best?

There is no hard and fast answer here. The decision is best made between you and your surgeon since there are so many individual factors to consider. You will need to have your eyes examined in order to determine which method would benefit your vision most. Traditional blade LASIK with a microkeratome is widely believed to be faster and more comfortable for most patients. On the other hand, bladeless LASIK is often considered more precise and less risky.

At The Fifth Avenue Eye Center, we don’t subscribe to one method over the other. Instead, we encourage our LASIK patients to consider all available options to make the most informed decision possible. We will present you with all of our techniques that you qualify for so that you can choose the one you’re most comfortable with. For us, it’s not about making the most money off of every client—it’s about providing the most satisfaction for every client. Contact us by phone or online today to schedule a risk-free surgical consultation in our New York City office.