Z-Lasik vs. I-Lasik

February 18, 2010 7:26 PM

Can anyone speak authoritatively about the differences between i-lasik and z-lasik?

I'm currently leaning toward z-lasik, which appears to be newer tech, but I can find very little information on either laser that isn't directly from a surgery center (biased source). There's only one surgeon in the area that even has a ziemer laser, and is claiming its superiority in oh so many ways.

posted by TheGoldenOne to Health & Fitness (3 answers total)

I had LASIK with a microkeratome flap and have come through just fine. My take on the technologies in 2008 was that the blade free stuff was very new, so I was quite comfortable to use a surgeon who knew what he was doing with the blade.

I think the evaluation from the ophthalmologist here is probably telling:
I think both the Intralase and the Ziemer femtosecond lasers will do a good job for a blade free flap. The bigger question is the choice of treating (excimer) laser and the size/type of your prescription.

I'd say the even better question is: what's your doc's record of saying no to bad candidates for surgery? How many eyeballs has s/he treated? Track record of complications? Whoever you use should be very willing to talk to you about -any- question you have, this is elective surgery after all.

Good luck!
posted by herrtodd at 7:58 PM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]

I'm not a doctor, and I can't speak to I-Lasik vs. Z-Lasik, but they're both Lasik procedures and they both involve creating a corneal flap which will never totally heal. The flap, no matter how it's created, can be a source of complications.

I had PRK done recently; I rejected Lasik even though I was a good candidate. It created no flap, and therefore no potential flap complications, and the healing process was pretty easy. The biggest problem I had was with my brain adjusting to the vision changes (I've only had one eye done so far, a few months ago, and I've since completely adjusted).
posted by cosmic.osmo at 10:18 PM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]

You also ought to consider speaking with your regular optometrist (assuming you have one, and they aren't trying to sell you on LASIK).

I have bad eyes, but I am a bad candidate for LASIK and my optometrist has pointed that out for me, which is a bummer that I appreciate.
posted by BobbyDigital at 7:28 AM on February 19, 2010