Preferred Consumer | Medical Guide | Vision Care | Laser Eye Surgery | LASIK

LASIK Eye Surgery

What are the Benefits of LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK eye surgery is used to reduce nearsightedness and farsightedness. 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 recovery time is longer. The procedure involves minimal operative and postoperative pain. Recovery is rapid and final results are usually achieved within three months. LASIK has fewer complications associated with it than other refractive eye surgeries.

How is the LASIK Procedure Performed?

Before the procedure, a sedative may be given. Anesthetic and antibacterial drops are also placed in the eye, and the doctor retracts the eyelids using titanium eyelid retractors. During the LASIK eye surgery procedure, the lasik surgeons will use a special machine called a microkeratome to cut the cornea so that there is a flap of cornea which is peeled back and held in place for the rest of the procedure. Suction is first applied to the eye ball during the first phase so that the cornea flattens, making it possible to cut the flap of cornea. Then, a computer-controlled laser is used to shape the cornea as needed to correct vision. The doctor uses a mathematical calculation called the Munnerlyn formula to determine what the future eyesight will be. The flap is then placed back over the eye. The reshaping of the cornea changes how the eye refracts light, and therefore, changes vision. The entire procedure takes approximately ten minutes.

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Is the LASIK Procedure Safe?

While there are no guarantees with an elective procedure, LASIK is considered safe if done by a skilled LASIK surgeon.

What are the Risks Associated with LASIK?

During the LASIK procedure, suction is applied to the eye. This suction causes increased pressure, cutting off blood supply to the eye, and can therefore, cause permanent damage. However, there is not usually damaged because the suction is released as soon as the cornea is cut. LASIK can also cause the following problems:

  • eye loss
  • loss of cornea
  • infection
  • perforation
  • deterioration
  • undercorrection and overcorrection
  • halos and glare
  • displaced corneal flap
  • vision regression

Can the LASIK Procedure be Repeated if Results Were not Optimal for the Patient?

Yes, enhancements can be done later. However, there is a greater risk for complications with subsequent operations.

 

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.

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.