One Million Blade-Free LASIK Procedures

ONE MILLION BLADE-FREE LASIK PROCEDURES

Dr. Wilson Among National Ophthalmic Surgeons Performing
Blade-Free LASIK with the IntraLase Method for Their Patients

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, (November 14, 2006) – Dr. Gary Wilson of Oklahoma City based ClearSight Center is among a select number of ophthalmic surgeons whose work has contributed toward the milestone one millionth all-laser LASIK procedure- using the IntraLase Method™, confirming the demand for IntraLase^® FS laser technology, according to IntraLase Corp.

The IntraLase FS laser is the first technology for a truly all-laser, blade-free LASIK procedure, replacing the hand-held microkeratome blade historically used in creating LASIK corneal flaps – the first step of the procedure – with a computer-guided, ultra-fast femtosecond (fem-to-second) laser. The IntraLase laser virtually eliminates the most severe sight-threatening LASIK complications related to use of the microkeratome and, by creating an optimal corneal surface below the flap, provides for better visual outcomes – taking many patients to 20/20 vision and beyond.

”We have seen a significant improvement in our visual acuity outcomes and a meaningful reduction in our LASIK complication rate using the IntraLase Method,” said Dr. Wilson. “The blade-free approach is a very comforting message to patients, since it addresses one of their primary obstacles – fear of the surgery. Offering the IntraLase all-laser LASIK platform has been a very positive experience for our patients.”

In addition to ClearSight Center, the IntraLase FS laser technology has been adopted by such top ophthalmic teaching institutes as Duke University Medical School, the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins, the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at University of Miami, and Stanford University, all of which use the technology to train future generations of LASIK surgeons.

Blade-Free Safety and Better Vision with All-Laser LASIK

According to Dr. Wilson, the 4^th Generation IntraLase FS laser uses an infrared light beam, generating 60,000 pulses per second, to prepare the intracorneal bed and create the corneal flap in the first step of LASIK.

§ Using an “inside-out” process, the laser beam is precisely focused to a point within the cornea.

§ The laser pulses then create thousands of microscopic bubbles which define the incision within the intracorneal surface.

§ Along the edge, bubbles are then stacked up at a beveled angle – a feature unique to the IntraLase Method – to the corneal surface to complete the flap.

§ The physician then exposes the prepared corneal bed for excimer laser treatment (the second step of LASIK) by lifting the flap.

§ The LASIK procedure is complete when the flap is securely repositioned on its beveled edge.

With the IntraLase laser, the surgeon can precisely control the critical first step of LASIK. Physician-programmed laser specifications include flap diameter, depth, hinge location and width, and side-cut architecture – factors which can be varied to meet patients’ needs. The IntraLase laser creates a distinctive beveled-edge flap, which allows for precise repositioning, alignment and seating after LASIK is completed. This feature reduces the risk of flap displacement, a complication seen with microkeratome flaps.

“The IntraLase laser makes LASIK safer by replacing the hand-held microkeratome blade with the computer-guided precision of a laser,” said Dr. Wilson, noting that the completion of over -one million IntraLase Method procedures demonstrates an impressive safety profile for patients. LASIK with the advanced IntraLase Method, he added, also has been clinically proven to deliver better visual outcomes in both standard and Custom LASIK procedures with more patients achieving visual acuity of 20/20, 20/15 and even 20/12.5.

For more information on Intralase visit www.intralasefacts.com or ClearSight Center's web page about Bladeless LASIK at http://www.clearsight.com/index.cfm/technology/intralaser. For an no cost, no obligation appointment to see if you are a good candidate for Bladeless LASIK call ClearSight Center at 405-733-2020 or toll free at 1-888-733-2020.

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