Intralase SBK: This Changes Everything
Touted as revolutionary, Intralase SBK more than meets expectations in Kelowna.
Since being integrated at Kelowna Laser Vision, Intralase SBK is delivering impressive results for patients. Our surgeons – Dr. Jeffrey Chambers and Dr. Robert Semeniuk – have been very pleased with the day-of-surgery experiences and post-operative results.
Among the highlights: outcomes routinely achieved within the first week with Intralase SBK match those results achieved with PRK at the three to six month mark; there is usually a very rapid healing time; many people are enjoying a level of visual acuity that exceeds what they ever had with either their glasses or contact lenses.
“We are proud to be the only clinic in Kelowna offering Intralase SBK,” says Dr. Joel Casey, an Optometrist with vast experience in Laser Vision Correction. “Our initial results have been very encouraging.”
The adoption of Intralase SBK means that we are using a femtosecond laser rather than a microkeratome that uses a blade for LASIK procedures. Using the Intralase femtosecond technology allows the procedure to be done more superficially and is a less invasive form of laser eye surgery than relying on a mechanical keratome. This results in fewer complications such as dry eye, and ectasia.
“Ten years ago – even five years ago – undergoing Laser Vision Correction (LVC) meant deciding between PRK and Lasik,” says Dr. Casey, “but today Intralase femtosecond technology is the technology of choice for most refractive surgeons.
“This changes everything.”
The trend in LVC has shifted and the technology been refined to the point where patients are achieving excellent surgical outcomes in minimal periods of time and with fewer incidents of adverse effects.
“It’s about safety, first and foremost.”
- Dr. Joel Casey
Patients who had otherwise avoided having LVC because of lengthy recovery times or concern about a mechanical keratome’s oscillating blade cutting into the tissue of the eye for Lasik, are now excited by the new technology. It’s no wonder: with Intralase SBK, complications associated with flap creation using mechanical keratomes are essentially eliminated and patients usually experience a much shorter recovery time than with standard PRK procedures.
Many Intralase SBK patients from Kelowna Laser Vision are seeing better than 20/20 post-surgery.
That said, healing is an individual process, unique to each patient.
“We always caution that healing is an individual matter and that while some people are back to work and sometimes even driving the day after surgery, recovery can take longer with some people,” explains Dr. Jeffrey Chambers, Ophthalmologist, Refractive Surgeon, and Medical Director of Kelowna Laser Vision.
“We believe that patients need to have reasonable expectations heading into any procedure.”
When expectations are met — whether it is in terms of healing or crispness of vision — it highlights that Intralase SBK is meeting expectations as a safe and effective option that represents a giant step forward for patients and surgeons alike.