Room-wide image of a patient having LASIK eye surgery performed by her ophthalmologist.

Is IntraLase™ FS the Best Option for Your LASIK Surgery?

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LASIK surgery has transformed vision care by offering a long-lasting solution for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. One of the most advanced LASIK technologies is IntraLase™ FS, a bladeless method for creating the corneal flap. 

At Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser, Dr. Dennis Maehara, who founded the clinic over 30 years ago, and his son, Dr. Jeffrey Maehara, a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained Anterior Segment-Glaucoma Specialist, provide expert care. Dr. Jeffrey Maehara’s advanced training in preventive and integrative medicine ensures that patients receive the most effective and personalized LASIK options, including IntraLase. But is this bladeless technology the best choice for your LASIK surgery?

What is IntraLase™ FS?

IntraLase FS is a revolutionary technology used in LASIK procedures to create a corneal flap with a laser instead of the traditional blade. This method is more precise and offers several advantages over older techniques. The laser is incredibly accurate, leading to a more customized procedure and potentially better visual outcomes.

The Benefits of IntraLase for LASIK Surgery

IntraLase FS is often the preferred choice for those seeking LASIK surgery because of its precision and safety. Some key benefits include:

  • Precision: The laser creates a more accurate corneal flap, tailored to each patient’s unique eye shape, which can improve the overall results.
  • Safety: Because there’s no blade involved, the risk of complications is significantly reduced.
  • Faster Recovery: IntraLase’s precision helps reduce the risk of complications like flap dislocation, leading to a quicker recovery time.
  • Improved Results: Studies show that patients who undergo LASIK with IntraLase FS often achieve better visual outcomes compared to those using traditional methods.

Who Can Benefit from IntraLase?

IntraLase FS can be especially beneficial for individuals who may not be ideal candidates for traditional LASIK due to specific eye characteristics. For example:

  • Those with thin corneas who need extra precision to ensure a safe and effective flap creation
  • People with higher prescriptions who require more accuracy for optimal results
  • Patients with irregular corneal shapes who may benefit from the customized, bladeless approach of IntraLase

IntraLase provides a solution for a wider range of patients, offering greater precision and safety. Its ability to cater to various eye conditions makes it a highly versatile option for LASIK candidates, providing a more tailored approach to vision correction. If you’re concerned about whether your eyes are suitable for LASIK, IntraLase could be the key to achieving the best possible outcome.

Explore the Benefits of IntraLase LASIK in Honolulu, HI

If you’re considering LASIK surgery and want to know if IntraLase is the best option for you, the first step is scheduling a consultation with an experienced professional. 

The team at Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser in Honolulu is committed to providing personalized guidance through every stage of your LASIK experience, helping you choose the right option for your vision. Call us today at 808-955-3937 to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward clearer, more comfortable vision.

Close up of a woman's eye with a laser being used to perform LASIK eye surgery on her

Bladeless LASIK vs. Traditional LASIK: What’s the Difference?

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Many people turn to LASIK as a dependable way to sharpen their vision and move away from glasses or contact lenses. At Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser, patients benefit from over 30 years of experience led by Dr. Dennis Maehara and his son, Dr. Jeffrey Maehara, a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained anterior segment and glaucoma specialist. Dr. Jeffrey Maehara also brings expertise in preventive and integrative medicine. 

As technology has advanced, bladeless LASIK has become a more precise and comfortable alternative to traditional methods. Learning how these options compare can guide you toward the best choice for your vision.

What is Traditional LASIK?

Traditional LASIK uses a small mechanical blade, called a microkeratome, to create a flap in the cornea. This flap is lifted so the surgeon can reshape the underlying corneal tissue with a laser, correcting common vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

While effective, the blade introduces more variation and may increase the risk of certain complications or prolong recovery time for some patients.

What is Bladeless LASIK?

Bladeless LASIK, or all-laser LASIK, replaces the blade with a femtosecond laser to create the corneal flap. At Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser in Honolulu, we use the advanced IntraLase™ FS laser in combination with the Allegretto Wave® laser system to deliver outstanding precision and speed.

This combination offers key benefits:

  • Greater safety through bladeless precision
  • Customization based on your unique eye structure
  • Faster healing and improved comfort
  • More consistent outcomes with reduced flap-related risks

Comparing the Two Techniques

Both traditional and bladeless LASIK offer excellent results, but there are some key differences:

  • Technology used: Traditional relies on a blade; bladeless uses lasers exclusively
  • Precision: Bladeless offers more consistent flap creation
  • Comfort: Patients often report greater comfort with bladeless procedures
  • Recovery: Bladeless LASIK may offer faster visual recovery for some patients

Is Bladeless LASIK Right for You?

If you are considering laser LASIK and want the most advanced technology available, bladeless LASIK may be the ideal solution. This method offers a gentler and more precise experience, which can be reassuring if you are uneasy about the use of a blade. Along with greater comfort, bladeless LASIK often provides improved accuracy and faster recovery.

At Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser, excellent outcomes begin with a careful and personalized evaluation. Every LASIK candidate receives a thorough screening to determine if the procedure suits their vision needs. Safety is always our highest priority.

We also understand the importance of value. Our pricing is highly competitive, and we provide physician-only care. From consultation to post-operative visits, Dr. Maehara handles each stage of your treatment, ensuring consistent and expert care.

Setting the Standard for LASIK in Honolulu, HI

If you are considering laser LASIK and want a safe, effective, bladeless option, we invite you to schedule a consultation. Discover how Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser in Honolulu, HI, can help you achieve clearer vision with advanced care you can trust at 808-955-3937.

Beautiful female eye in scanning circle closeup and eyechart.

What you should know about LASIK

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If you have been considering LASIK surgery to help reduce or remove the need for wearing glasses or contacts, there are several things you should know. Read on for eight things you should know about LASIK.

  1. Your eyes must be healthy to undergo LASIK surgery. If you have severe dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis or pink eye, or any type of eye injury where you are still recovering, you will need to wait until those conditions are resolved before you can undergo LASIK.
  2. If you have cataracts or uncontrolled glaucoma, you may not be a candidate for LASIK.
  3. You must be in good health to be considered for LASIK. Uncontrolled degenerative conditions or autoimmune diseases may prevent you from having LASIK done. Certain medications may also interfere with post-operative healing and contribute to dry eye syndrome. You will want to share your complete list of medications and vitamins and supplements with your doctor during your consultation.
  4. Your corneas cannot be too thin. LASIK works by reshaping the front surface of the eye known as the cornea. The cornea must have enough tissue thickness in order for you to have surgery. Other surgical options may be better suited for you.
  5. You must be at least 18 or older to have LASIK. When you are a teenager, and even a young adult, your eyes continue to change.
  6. If you have a prescription, it’s important that your prescription is stable for at least a year before you are able to proceed with LASIK.
  7. Women who are pregnant or nursing are not good candidates for LASIK as hormonal changes can alter the shape of the cornea. You will want to wait until a few months after you have finished nursing before getting LASIK done.
  8. It’s important to have a positive frame of mind and realistic expectations for the outcome of surgery. Be sure to discuss all potential risks and possible side effects before you decide to undergo LASIK surgery.

To learn whether you are a candidate for LASIK, call 808.955.3937 for a consultation.

Give the Valentine’s Day Gift of the Century With LASIK

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LASIK Surgery honolulu, HILet’s face it, with Valentine’s Day just around the corner you don’t want to end up in the dog house by gifting your significant other with a gift that is less than personal. Although jewelry, large teddy bears, flowers, and chocolates are favorites amongst many individuals, they aren’t exactly personal. Give your love a gift that will keep on giving not just throughout the year but for the rest of their life by gifting them with LASIK Surgery. If your significant other has a hard time seeing either near or far and they are always complaining about their bad vision, nothing will make them happier than restoring their eyesight. Read on to learn more about LASIK Surgery.

What Is LASIK Surgery?

Unlike traditional LASIK surgery, Dr. Jeffrey Maehara performs bladeless LASIK Surgery which is a faster and equally as effective surgical procedure. With traditional LASIK Surgery, a small blade is used to help shave off and reshape the cornea. However, with bladeless LASIK surgery, a variety of lasers will be used to do the same thing— which means less time and a lower chance of error.

What Are the Results Like?

The best part about LASIK eye surgery is the fact that your loved one’s vision will be restored to perfection after recovering from the actual surgery itself. And who doesn’t want to have perfect vision?

How Can It Be a Surprise?

Because we can’t perform bladeless LASIK surgery without conducting a consultation beforehand, you aren’t going to be able to fully surprise your loved one on Valentine’s Day. You can, however, schedule their consultation appointment for Valentine’s Day so that we can get the ball rolling sooner than later.

Get the biggest hug and kiss from your Valentine this year and give them a gift that they will never forget: LASIK eye surgery. If you would like to learn more about this procedure or other eye procedures, contact Dr. Jeffrey Maehara today and schedule a consultation appointment.