LASIK Surgeon Directory > What is LASIK?

WHAT IS LASIK?

LASIK Laser Eye Surgery for Laser Vision Correction is used to reduce nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia). It is most successful for people who are mildly to moderately nearsighted, and it is also used to correct astigmatism. Farsightedness is more difficult to treat and the recovery time is longer. The LASIK procedure involves minimal operative and postoperative pain. Recovery from LASIK eye surgery is rapid and final results are usually achieved within three months. LASIK has fewer complications associated with it than other refractive eye surgeries. There are also other types of LASIK eye surgery procedures such as Bladeless All Laser LASIK, Custom LASIK, Epi-LASIK and LASEK. All of these procedures offer eye care consumers with different needs, the potential to eliminate their dependence on eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Custom LASIK - Wavefront

Custom LASIK, also known as Wavefront Technology, is the most advanced laser technology available today. The Wavefront Technology is a very old technology that was developed by astronomers and has been used for years by astronomers to adjust the optics of their telescopes which helps them eliminate aberrations or distortions induced by the Earth's atmosphere.

In wavefront custom Lasik, PRK, LASEK, and Epi-Lasik, the laser uses the wavefront information to alter the shape of the cornea by ablating the tissue. The surgeon will use the wavefront device to transmit a safe ray of light into your eye. The light is then reflected back off the posterior portion of the eye, out through the pupil, and into the abberometry device. The reflected wave of light is received and arranged into a unique pattern that measures both lower- and higher-order aberrations. The wavefront information that is gathered from your eye creates a 3-D image of the eye, called a wavefront map, that is then used to guide the laser in customizing individual treatments for each patient.

LASEK

LASEK, Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis, is a variation of LASIK, and corrects myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. In LASEK, the epithelium, or outer surface of the cornea, is loosened with alcohol, not with the microkeratome used in LASIK. It is then peeled back to expose the cornea. The same laser used in LASIK is applied to the cornea, but only to the surface. The epithelium is placed back into position, and a bandage contact lens is placed on the eye to promote healing. Like LASIK, the LASEK recovery time is rapid. Discomfort is somewhat increased, compared with LASIK.

Epi-LASIK

Epi-LASIK is a refractive surgery technique and an alternative to the normal LASIK procedure. It is very similar to LASEK without the alchohol. In epi-LASIK the surface "skin" of the cornea, the epithelium is treated with an alcohol solution to make its removal easier. The name 'Epi' comes from the instrument that the Epi-LASIK surgeon uses, called an epikeratome. The epikeratome creates an epithelial sheet, to make a thin flap in the epithelium. The laser beam is then applied under the epithelial flap to successfully correct the refractive errors. After the laser has completed it's corrections, the sheet is put back in place to cover the laser-treated area.

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