If you've been researching laser vision correction, you may have come across both "LASIK" and "iLASIK" and wondered whether they're the same thing — or completely different procedures. Here's a clear breakdown of the differences.

What Is Traditional LASIK?

Traditional LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) uses a mechanical microkeratome blade to create a thin corneal flap. The flap is lifted, an excimer laser reshapes the underlying corneal tissue to correct refractive errors, and the flap is repositioned. The blade-based approach has been used successfully since the 1990s and has an excellent safety record.

What Is iLASIK?

iLASIK is a brand name for an all-laser LASIK approach developed by Abbott Medical Optics (AMO). The key difference is that iLASIK uses a femtosecond laser — rather than a blade — to create the corneal flap. This is sometimes called "bladeless" or "all-laser" LASIK. iLASIK also incorporates wavefront-guided treatment, using a precise map of each eye's unique optical characteristics to guide the excimer laser.

Key Differences: LASIK vs. iLASIK

• Flap creation — Traditional LASIK uses a blade; iLASIK uses a femtosecond laser for a more precise, uniform flap.
• Customization — iLASIK's wavefront-guided component treats higher-order aberrations that standard LASIK may miss, potentially improving night vision quality.
• Safety — Both are highly safe. The all-laser approach eliminates blade-related variability.
• Cost — iLASIK/all-laser LASIK typically costs more due to the additional femtosecond laser step.
• Results — Both achieve excellent outcomes; wavefront-guided treatment may offer slightly better contrast sensitivity for some patients.

What Does Restivo Laser Vision Use?

At Restivo Laser Vision, we use the WaveLight FS200 femtosecond laser for flap creation and the WaveLight EX500 excimer laser for vision correction — one of the fastest and most precise all-laser systems in the world. Our approach combines the benefits of iLASIK-style bladeless technology with wavefront-optimized treatment for every patient.

Ready to find out which procedure is right for you? Schedule your free LASIK consultation at Restivo Laser Vision in Cedar Park, TX.