I am considering LASIK and am mainly concerned about the flap and the potential for it to become dislodged in the future.

I'm currently leaning against PRK primarily due to recovery time (I live in Colorado and work in Illinois, flying back and forth every week), although other factors play a role, as well.

I'm not sold on IntraLase, due to the connective tissue that remains between the circles/bubbles that must be ripped apart when lifting the flap. However, I am intrigued by the idea of the laser doing its work beneath the surface of the eye.

If IntraLase already has the ability to remove targeted tissue beneath the surface of the eye, isn’t the next step to just do the correction with a similar technique and not create a flap at all? In other words, instead of using IntraLase to make a flap, why not use it to make the correction?

I'm guessing that there are precisional differences between the IntraLase laser and the excimer laser. But, technologies will improve. So, it seems that, at some point, we will be able to do "LASIK" surgery below the surface of the eye without creating a flap.

So, my question is ... does anyone know if this is even on the drawing board, yet? And, if it is, how long will it likely take before it is available?

Similarly, are there any other future advancements that might make it worth waiting for?

If someone could figure out how to do exactly what you suggest – Intracorneal Keratomileusis - then the company that makes the femtosecond laser would like to give that person some stock options!

I’ve talked with some of the best minds in this area of surgery and they have tried many, many ways to do what you suggest, but to date all attempts have failed.

Glenn Hagele
CRSQA
http://www.USAEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

I have heard of this and read on it. The laser can go beneath the cornea but as it zaps cornea, you need a vent or opening for bits of evaporized cornea to escape. I read about a small incision made to vent the waste material. Problem is there would be a hollow space below.

epi-lasik remains the best choice. They roll back the epilitic cells, do prk then roll the cells back on. Supposed to be the best worlds of prk and lasik or something between the two.

whats your pescription? If its low enough, you may want to consider intacs. This is what I want performed on me :)

I am -5.75 in one eye ... and maybe -5.25 in the other eye (I didn't bring my prescription with me this week).

Other Info:
Right Eye (OD): Cornea Thickness: 571 microns; Pupil: 7mm

Left Eye (OS): Cornea Thickness: (542) microns; Pupil: 6.5mm

surface ablation seems to be the way to go. You should make a fine candidate. Of course discuss any questions and concerns with a doctor and discuss the risks. Research it throughtly like I have and still am. If you have interest in intacs, they will reduce your myopia but youd need glasses part time still. However its an option for presbyopes who want to keep some myopia so they dont need reading glasses. I am about a -5 but im looking into intacs