LASIK surgery has a long history of safely and effectively improving vision and lessening patients' dependence on glasses and contact lenses. IntraLase, however, knew that LASIK surgery wasn't as safe and effective as it could be. The company responded with a breakthrough technology that replaces the mechanical microkeratome with a highly precise laser that works at the molecular level to separate tissue and create a superior corneal flap.

This innovation made sense. Lasers have a long history in medicine. In fact, the excimer laser used in Step Two of LASIK surgery has brought incredible safety and precision to eye surgery. One pulse of the excimer laser removes 0.25 microns of tissue, which is almost 300 times thinner than a typical human hair.*

By replacing the blade commonly used in Step One with a femtosecond laser, IntraLase has made LASIK eye surgery safer than ever before. IntraLase delivers micron-level accuracy 100 times greater**** than a microkeratome for more accurate and consistent flap thickness, factors critical for a successful LASIK outcome.

Microkeratomes are safe and provide good results in LASIK eye surgery. The degree of accuracy achieved by the INTRALASE® laser, however, is unprecedented in flap creation technology. With IntraLase you now have the greater assurance you need that Step One of LASIK eye surgery will be the best it can be-more accurate, safer, and a first step towards getting you the best LASIK result possible.

*Eye Surgery Education Council. LASIK Fundamentals: Technology. Available at http://www.lasikinstitute.com/technology.html. Accessed June 29, 2004.

** Shareef Mahdavi: How IntraLase technology is impacting the refractive practice. SM2 Consulting, Pleasanton, CA. April 2004. Data on file, IntraLase Corp.

*** Guy M Kezirian, M.D. and Karl G Stonecipher, M.D.: Comparison of the IntraLase femtosecond laser and mechanical keratomes for laser in situ keratomileusis. Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery April 2004; 30:804-811.

**** Ming Wang, M.D., Ph.D. : Femtosecond technology: Is now the time to buy? Refractive Eyecare for Ophthalmologists, May 2003;5:7.

JH Talamo: Optimizing flap outcomes with the INTRALASE FS laser. Ophthalmology Management, May 2004.

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