Is traditional microkeratome LASIK unsafe?

Not unsafe, but just higher risk. While traditional LASIK is a successful and relatively safe procedure, the IntraLase laser makes it safer by virtually eliminating the severe, sight-threatening complications of the microkeratome. IntraLase-initiated LASIK is not only 100 times more accurate, but it also provides patients with superior visual outcomes. These facts are giving thousands of patients each month the confidence to proceed with corrective laser eye surgery. Blade-free IntraLase LASIK has been approved for US Naval Aviators (Top Gun pilots) and by NASA for astronauts. Microkeratome LASIK is not approved for these visually demanding professions.