FAQ LINKS
Boothe & LASIK in Dallas
Dr. Boothe continues to be the busiest IntraLASIK surgeon in the world,
having now performed over 42,000 IntraLASIK procedures. His passion
for excellence and his commitment to state-of-the-art technology has
made Boothe Eye Care & Laser Center one of the premier vision centers
in the country.
LASIK FAQs
IntraLASIK FAQs
WaveFront FAQs
ReSTOR FAQs
C.K. FAQs
Boothe Eye Care & Laser Center
3900 West 15th Street
Suite 104
Plano, Texas 75075
(214) 328-0444
“As a public relations specialist, my eyes are
vital to every aspect of my career. I was so nervous about having the
LASIK procedure performed, but Dr. Boothe made my visit enjoyable. He
was so kind and patient with me and became very engaged in answering
all of my questions, of which I had many. I knew exactly what to expect
before, during and after my procedure. Calling Boothe Eye Care &
Laser Center was definitely one of the best decisions of my life. Thanks,
Dr. Boothe, for my 20/20 vision and a crystal clear way of seeing the
world. I will continue to tell everyone how great you are and how incredible
my experience was at your center.”
Cyndi Miller,
President,
Miller Public Relations
FREQUENTLY ASKED INTRALASIK QUESTIONS
Why should I consider IntraLASIK?
Traditional LASIK is an excellent procedure. In fact, Dr. Boothe has performed
more than 80,000 LASIK procedures with the traditional approach and technology.
While the risks of complications are very minimal, all surgery carries
some degree of risk. Now, an advanced laser technology is available that
significantly reduces the risk of complications. It is known as IntraLASIK.
This is the first all-laser, blade-free LASIK procedure. It further reduces
the risk of complication and gives patients a new level of confidence
in vision correction surgery.
How is IntraLASIK different from traditional LASIK?
LASIK surgery is actually a two-step process. First, a flap of corneal
tissue must be created and then folded back. The cornea is the transparent,
dome-like structure that covers the iris and pupil of the eye. By creating
a flap in the cornea, Dr. Boothe is able to perform the laser vision
correction treatment on the inner layer of the cornea, which practically
eliminates any patient discomfort and allows for rapid visual recovery.
Traditionally, Dr. Boothe created the corneal flap with a handheld mechanical device that has a metal blade called a microkeratome. Although this method worked well, the performance of these devices could be unpredictable. Although LASIK complications are extremely rare, this mechanical device is frequently the source for many of the reported complications.
With IntraLASIK, Dr. Boothe uses the precision laser to create the corneal flap. The accuracy of the laser (+/- 10 microns) is unparalleled by any other technology in vision correction surgery. This advanced technology gives Dr. Boothe unprecedented control, and even allows him to customize the corneal flap for each individual patient. Because of its consistent accuracy, IntraLASIK now makes it possible to treat many patients who were once dismissed as candidates for laser vision correction due to thin corneas.
Is IntraLASIK safer?
IntraLASIK is considered by many to provide a safer approach to laser
vision correction surgery. This is a result of the superior precision
of a computer-controlled laser as compared to that of a handheld mechanical
device. The mechanical device houses a metal blade, which cuts across
the cornea to create the flap. IntraLASIK accomplishes the flap procedure
with a laser instead of a blade. Plus, it does not travel across the
cornea. These features reduce the possible risk of complications.
IntraLASIK’s precision was documented in studies conducted for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of the laser, where the accuracy of flap thickness was demonstrated at plus or minus 10 microns. Precise flap thickness is essential to a successful LASIK outcome, and flaps created by IntraLASIK feature a consistent thickness from edge to edge. Again, this degree of accuracy is unprecedented in flap creation technology to date. Finally, greater flap stability was also demonstrated with IntraLASIK flaps in studies for the laser’s FDA submission. Although the incidence of flap slippage is rare in LASIK, the consequences can be problematic. The assurance that the IntraLASIK created flap will be securely repositioned without incident provides added peace of mind for many patients.
Is traditional LASIK unsafe?
No, but IntraLASIK seems to reduce the risk of complications reported
with traditional LASIK.
Is IntraLASIK new? How is Dr. Boothe able to offer IntraLASIK
when other doctors in the area do not?
The IntraLase FS Laser has been cleared by the FDA and became commercially
available on a limited basis in 2001. The IntraLase FS Laser is the
only laser that provides IntraLASIK. Dr. Boothe is among an elite group
of key opinion-leaders in ophthalmology who continually evaluate advanced
technologies and adopt them into practice as soon as they become available.
How would you compare the visual outcomes using IntraLASIK
with those of traditional LASIK?
Today, it is known that visual outcomes with IntraLASIK are comparable
with those of traditional LASIK. Studies are now underway to evaluate
whether results with IntraLASIK might be even better, as has been reported
anecdotally.
There are several advertisements for all-laser LASIK. Is this
the same as IntraLASIK?
Be sure to ask for IntraLASIK by name. Only IntraLASIK offers the safety
of micron-level precision of a truly all-laser surgical approach. Other
providers may advertise all-laser, but patients should ensure that IntraLASIK
is indeed being used to create the corneal flap.
Is IntraLASIK more expensive?
Advanced technologies are usually more expensive for the surgeon to
employ in his practice. Most patients agree that the added level of
safety and assurance offered by IntraLASIK is well worth the additional
cost that may be incurred when considering vision correction surgery.
