What is SBK ® Lasik treatment for laser vision correction? SBK ® Lasik treatment for vision correction is a medical procedure in which the curvature of the cornea is altered. This procedure corrects the optical defect, causing sharp vision with no need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. This treatment is one of the two options that currently exist for laser vision correction. The second type of treatment is called PRK.
How do we know who is suitable for treatment by the SBK ® Lasik method? The decision as to which method to offer a candidate will be made only after a comprehensive examination to assess suitability. On completion of the examination, after gathering all the information, the surgeon will decide which type of treatment is suitable for the client. Some of the parameters that could determine the type of treatment are: the thickness of the cornea, the structure of the cornea, the age of the patient, the spectacle prescription, special fields of occupation, etc. Some candidates will be suitable for Lasik, some for PRK, while others will be found to be unsuitable for surgical vision correction.
How is SBK ® Lasik treatment performed? The beginning of the treatment includes the lifting of a small portion of the cornea (opening a window). Under this window, the laser treatment will be performed. When this is completed, the piece of cornea that was lifted is returned to its place (closing the window). To carry out the first part of the procedure, we use an instrument called an SBK Microkeratome. This instrument is capable of making an extremely thin slice of cornea, approximately 0.01 cm thick. This slice is called a flap, and part of it remains connected to the cornea. The portion that is not connected is raised by the surgeon, exposing the deep cornea, upon which the laser treatment is performed. At Care-Vision, we use the Allegretto Wavelight instrument, with the advanced Wave-front Optimized shaping profile. The laser will alter the curvature of the cornea, in accordance with data inputted to the laser apparatus,thus making the spectacle prescription disappear. The laser treatment takes a number of seconds, depending on power of the spectacle prescription to be corrected. An average treatment takes 20-35 seconds. After the laser treatment is performed, the surgeon will return the flap, and it will heal by itself – with no need for stitches or glue. Initial healing occurs within a few hours, and final healing within a few days.
What is the difference between the SBK ® Lasik treatment method and the INTRA-LASIK treatment method? There is no difference. It is important to understand that both methods are Lasik surgeries (=creating a flap, lifting the flap, performing the laser treatment, returning the flap). In both methods, the procedure is performed in an identical manner. In both methods, in order to lift the flap to make room for the laser treatment to be performed, the surgeon needs to manually perform the procedure and lift the flap. In both methods, on completion of the laser treatment, the surgeon needs to return the flap to its place, and this also is a manual procedure performed by the surgeon. (We emphasize this point because one of the presentations of INTRA-LASIK technology refers to treatment being performed without contact of the human hand.)
So what IS the difference? The difference is in the equipment used for the first stage of the treatment – the creation of the flap on the cornea. At CARE, as at the vast majority of surgical correction clinics in the world, we use a device called the SBK microkeratome. In the INTRA-LASIK method, a device called Intralase is used. In 2004, new equipment came into use, which was presented as yielding superior flap quality and stability of flap thickness. This was initially thought to be novel, as the method of cutting the flap was changed (by introducing air bubbles into the corneal depth, and not with the familiar microkeratome). However, after many examinations, comparisons and studies that were published over the years, it was proved that there is no difference between the methods, and that there are even some parameters for which the “older” time-proven method is preferable. Among the parameters that were examined when comparing the two methods: shortness of time for the performing the surgery, rapidity of healing, fewer complaints of glare – for all these, they did not succeed in achieving an advantage with the INTRA-LASIK method. Recovery time – the big advantage of the Lasik method of treatment is the rapid recovery time.
How rapid? The big advantage of the Lasik method of treatment is the rapid recovery time.
On leaving the operating room, the change in vision will already be discernible. Within a few hours, vision stabilizes at it maximal quality. In the initial hours, a small amount of glare may be experienced, but this also passes with time. Return to routine with this method is very rapid – by 24 hours from the time of the surgery, it is possible to return to work, driving, watching television and viewing the computer screen. There is no pain – there may be a sensation of dryness, which is also resolved with eyedrops.
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Medical Imaging