Clearer vision without glasses or contact lenses is possible thanks to advanced laser technology. At Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser in Honolulu, we offer IntraLase FS Bladeless LASIK, a safer, more precise alternative to traditional LASIK. The practice was founded by Dr. Dennis Maehara, whose decades of dedication to eye care helped establish a legacy of excellence now continued by his son.
Dr. Jeffrey Maehara, raised in Honolulu, is board-certified and fellowship-trained in anterior segment and glaucoma surgery. He studied under leading refractive surgeons at Tulane Medical School and brings advanced LASIK expertise to every procedure. This bladeless method improves outcomes and offers greater peace of mind for those seeking long-term vision correction.
What Is IntraLase FS Bladeless LASIK and How Does It Work
IntraLase FS is a bladeless laser technology used during the first step of LASIK eye surgery. Traditional LASIK procedures rely on a mechanical blade, called a microkeratome, to create a corneal flap. In contrast, IntraLase uses a femtosecond laser to create the flap by delivering ultra-fast light pulses to a precise depth and position within the cornea.
These pulses form a uniform layer of microscopic bubbles that gently separate the tissue, allowing the surgeon to lift the flap with exact control. This level of accuracy enhances safety and improves visual outcomes by reducing variability and the risk of complications associated with mechanical blades.
The IntraLase method allows for a customized flap tailored to the patient’s unique corneal shape and thickness. Because it is entirely laser-based, the technique is more predictable and often leads to faster healing, less discomfort, and greater long-term satisfaction with the results.
The IntraLase FS Bladeless Laser Procedure
The IntraLase FS Bladeless LASIK procedure at Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser involves several carefully coordinated steps to ensure safety, precision, and comfort from start to finish.
The process begins with the application of anesthetic eye drops to numb the surface of the eye. Once the eye is prepared, the IntraLase femtosecond laser creates a corneal flap with microscopic accuracy. Unlike traditional LASIK, this step is done entirely without a blade, which reduces the chance of flap-related complications.
After the flap is created, it is gently lifted to expose the underlying corneal tissue. At this stage, an excimer laser is applied to reshape the cornea based on the patient’s specific refractive error. Whether the goal is to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, the reshaping process adjusts how light enters the eye to improve focus and visual clarity.
Once the corneal reshaping is complete, the surgeon carefully repositions the flap. The flap naturally adheres without the need for sutures, and it begins healing immediately.
The entire procedure typically takes only 30 seconds to a minute per eye. Most patients experience little to no pain, and vision improvement is often noticeable within 24 hours. Because the laser-created flap is thinner and more uniform, healing tends to be faster and more comfortable compared to blade-based methods.
Is the IntraLase FS method safe?
Bladeless LASIK is among the safest surgical procedures performed. Both traditional and bladeless methods are safe, but by using the IntraLase® laser, Dr. Maehara can avoid most of the problems that can potentially occur with the corneal flap due to the handheld microkeratome (they are still very rare, as well).
In studies, patients who agreed to have one eye flap created using a traditional microkeratome blade and the other using the IntraLase® FS laser preferred the post-operative vision of their IntraLase-treated eye 3-to-1 over the blade-treated eye.
IntraLase® FS was also shown to create fewer high- and low-order aberrations, which can be associated with night glare and halos. Other studies also showed less occurrence of dry eye with IntraLase® procedures versus traditional blade surgery. IntraLase® patients required fewer enhancement procedures following LASIK. The precise IntraLase® flap significantly reduces the incidence of post-operative induced astigmatism compared to microkeratome-created flaps.
The Advantages Of Intralase Bladeless Lasik Procedures
- Improved Safety — At Maehara, the IntraLase® FS eliminates the most severe microkeratome-related complications, including invasive corneal incisions and button-hole flaps.
- Better Vision — In research, patients have been shown to achieve statistically better vision when IntraLase® is used in the LASIK procedure. In comparison with blade LASIK, more patients achieved 20/20 vision, and those with a preference preferred the post-operative vision of their IntraLase treated eye 3 to 1.
- Highest Degree of Precision — Micron-level precision creates significantly more predictable and accurate flap dimensions, including, most critically, reproducible flap thickness within +/- 40 microns. This increased precision preserves valuable corneal tissue and improves the predictability of the LASIK treatment.
- Fewer Subsequent Adjustments — The number of LASIK enhancements or retreatments is significantly lower for laser-created corneal flaps. This keeps the patient from dealing with the inconvenience and cost of additional procedures.
- Reduced Dry Eye Symptoms — Research shows a significant reduction in dry eye symptoms when the IntraLase® FS is used, the largest study showing patient dry eye symptoms being reduced by 72 percent. It’s thought this is due to the uniform and thinner flap created by the IntraLase® laser, creating less disruption of nerves in the cornea.
- Individualized Flaps — The laser can be tailored to the individual patient’s needs, allowing Dr. Maehara to individualize all steps in the LASIK procedure: custom diagnosis with Wavefront, personalized flap creation with IntraLase®, and custom laser treatment with custom ablation.
Recovery After IntraLase FS Bladeless Lasik
Immediately after your bladeless LASIK procedure with Dr. Maehara, you’ll be taken to an exam room to relax. Your vision will be very fuzzy at this time, but this is normal. Dr. Maehara will examine the flaps created by the IntraLase® laser to ensure they are in the proper position. We will give you a post-operative kit containing eye drops and a protective shield, and you’ll have someone drive you home.
You’ll need to take it easy. No reading or computer work; no exercise or strenuous exertion. A nap is the best idea. You don’t want to shower or bath, and you should not get water or soap in your eyes. Your clear shield needs to be taped over your eyes for sleeping.
The next day, you’ll return to see Dr. Maehara. You’ll have two follow-up appointments that first week after your LASIK procedure. After just one day, your vision will be dramatically improved. This first appointment is usually very quick, and patients can typically drive themselves without needing glasses or contacts. That is thrilling for them after a lifetime of vision correction! After those initial checkups, Dr. Maehara sees all his LASIK patients three or four more times in that first year. If fine-tuning is necessary, it is done after at least three or four months have passed.
Most patients can return to work in as little as 24 hours after their IntraLase® FS LASIK procedure.
Are There Risks to IntraLase FS Bladeless LASIK?
Complications such as vision loss are very rare with LASIK, but certain side effects are somewhat common, including dry eye and temporary vision issues. As discussed above, using the IntraLase® FS laser at Maehara dramatically reduces the already slim chances of any of these complications.
These are the risks with any LASIK procedure:
- Dry Eyes: LASIK surgery causes a temporary decrease in tear production. This can last up to six months, and eye drops can help manage it.
- Glare, Halos, Double Vision: Your night vision could be affected after surgery, with halos and glare showing around bright lights. Double vision can develop, as well. These usually last for a period from a few days to a few weeks.
- Undercorrection or Overcorrection: You may not have the desired correction if the laser removes too little or too much tissue. This can be easily addressed with a second procedure for undercorrection.
- Astigmatism: If tissue removal is uneven, it can create astigmatism.
- Flap Problems: The flap created to access the cornea can develop complications such as infection or unusual epithelium growth.
- Vision Loss: In very rare cases, patients have experienced vision loss due to surgical complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bladeless Lasik Painful?
Your entire procedure takes just 15-20 minutes, and patients don’t feel anything. There is a 2-3 hour window after your procedure when the numbing eye drops wear off and you may have some discomfort, but it is not acute pain.
How Long Does It Take To Recover?
Many people return to normal activities within a day or two. Some may notice improved vision almost immediately, with full results developing over several weeks.
Is LASIK Permanent?
In most cases, the results of LASIK are long-lasting. While natural changes to the eye may occur over time, most patients enjoy significantly improved vision for many years.
Why Choose Dr. Maehara for Bladeless LASIK?
Dr. Jeffrey Maehara offers the expertise and precision patients seek in a LASIK surgeon. Raised in Honolulu and trained at Tulane Medical School, he studied under top LASIK specialists and is board-certified by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. As a fellowship-trained Anterior Segment-Glaucoma Specialist, he brings extensive experience in LASIK, cataract surgery, corneal transplants, and glaucoma care.
Dr. Maehara is also a pioneer in Hawaii, having introduced several advanced technologies, including the first AcrySof ReStor and Toric lens implants, AquaLase cataract removal, and Canaloplasty. His approach combines state-of-the-art care with local values, ensuring patients receive trusted, innovative treatment close to home.
Together with his father, Dr. Dennis Maehara, he continues a decades-long legacy of excellence at Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser, where compassionate service and leading-edge care come standard.
Your Bladeless LASIK Experts in Honolulu
Experience the clarity and comfort of IntraLase FS Bladeless LASIK at Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser. Our Honolulu team combines advanced technology with trusted local care to help you see your best. We’re here to answer your questions and guide you through every step.
Contact 808-955-3937 to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward sharper, more confident vision here in Honolulu.