The IntraLase laser is a femtosecond laser, meaning that it’s an infrared laser that uses extremely short pulses of light. A femtosecond is a quadrillionth of a second. Such fantastic brevity enables extraodinary precision. A femtosecond laser can create a flap in corneas which are too thin for a microkeratome, and does it by creating microscopic bubbles across the desired location for the flap, at the exact depth required. The flap is then easily lifted and an excimer laser is used to do the actual reshaping of the cornea.

Advantages of the Microkeratome:

More comfortable for the patient
Faster recovery time
Less pain or discomfort
Less suction needed
Total treatment time is shorter than with IntraLase
No need for long-term steroid use

(www.khannainstitute.com)

Boxer Wachler: I’m for whatever is best for the patient, but I do use the microkeratome much more often than I do IntraLase. Microkeratomes make the procedure go so much faster and are much more comfortable for the patient. Suction in a microkeratome procedure lasts about three seconds, whereas suction using IntraLase lasts about 15-20 seconds at its fastest. Also, you use less suction on the eye with a microkeratome. I prefer patients to be as comfortable as possible, which is why I prefer the microkeratome. (from:www.allaboutvision.com)