Lasik & Cataract Surgery Center Serving CITY 1, CITY 2, CITY 3, And CITY 4
What Is LASIK Surgery?
LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a type of laser refractive surgery — the best known and most commonly performed—used to meticulously change the shape of your cornea to improve your vision.
What Vision Is Corrected Through LASIK?
In the normal eye, images are clearly focused onto the retina at the back of your eye because the light rays are bent properly to contact the retinal surface. However, those with refractive errors and other vision problems experience the light rays bending incorrectly, resulting in blurred vision. While glasses or contact lenses are used to correct the refractive error, reshaping the cornea itself provides a more lasting solution.
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- For people with nearsightedness (myopia), LASIK is used to flatten a cornea that is too steep.
- Farsightedness (hyperopia) would require the LASIK procedure to achieve a steeper cornea.
- For astigmatism, LASIK corrects it by shaping the irregular cornea into a normal rounder shape.
We Are Laser Visionaries! Here's Why:
Is LASIK Right For You?
To be qualified for the LASIK procedure,
- You must be at least 18 years of age, as the vision of those who are younger is still developing.
- You should not be pregnant or nursing.
- There are certain prescription drugs that may disqualify candidacy, such as Accutane or oral prednisone.
- Your eyes must be healthy and your prescription stable. Your prescription must be stable for at least 12 months to ensure the greatest accuracy. Myopia often continues to increase in patients until their mid to late 20s. Coordinate routine eye exams with Ophthalmologist Name to gauge the health and stability of your eyesight.
- Your general health must be stable. LASIK is not recommended for patients with certain eye or general health conditions.
- If you have a history of Dry Eyes, or If your dry eye problems stem from wearing contact lenses, taking certain medications, or for any other reason, we should know as it could impact your LASIK experience. Dry eye screening is important before you embark on LASIK or any other refractive procedure.
How The LASIK Procedure Works
LASIK is performed in an outpatient suite, in a laser centre, where you will be comfortably reclined under a pain free laser. You can resume most of your activities the following day. Please note that it usually takes three to six months following the LASIK procedure for the vision to fully stabilize.
First, the eye is numbed with a few drops of topical anesthetic. An eyelid holder is placed between the eyelids to keep them open and prevent the patient from blinking. The other eye is immobilized. A suction ring is then placed on the eye which lifts and flattens the cornea and helps keep the eye from moving. You may feel pressure from the eyelid holder and suction ring, just like you would if a finger is pressed firmly on your eyelid.
Vision will appear dim or go black as the suction ring is placed on the eye and will return when it is removed a minute or less later. Once the cornea is flattened, a hinged flap of corneal tissue is created using a painless, blade free automated laser. This corneal flap is gently lifted and folded back. Then the pre-programmed excimer laser with your unique eye measurements is centered above the eye.
The laser is positioned correctly while you look at a special pinpoint light called a fixation and tracking light. The excimer laser then sculpts the corneal tissue to your prescription. Then the flap is replaced into the exact previous position. The corneal flap sticks to the underlying corneal tissue within two to five minutes, and stitches are not needed.
You should make arrangements for someone to drive you home after the procedure and then take a nap or just relax. Often times you may need to wear a shield to protect the eyes when sleeping. The surgeon will also provide eye drops to help the eye heal quickly and relieve dryness.
A complete eye examination will be required by Ophthalmologist Name. You will be required to bring your most recent eye prescription and/or your eyeglasses with you to the initial exam. Make sure you stop wearing contact lenses a week or more before your final pre-operative evaluation. At this visit, Ophthalmologist Name will dilate your pupils to fine-tune your prescription and examine your eyes to ensure that they’re healthy. This will include testing you for glaucoma, dry eye, and performing a retinal exam.
The curvature of your cornea and your pupils will also be measured, alongside a corneal topography —to ensure that you do not have any conditions that may disqualify your candidacy. The thickness of your cornea will also be evaluated to confirm that you have enough tissue to safely perform the procedure.
You will be asked to sign an informed consent form after a thorough discussion regarding the risks, benefits, options, and possible complications arising from LASIK.
LASIK is an outpatient procedure performed in CITY 1. The surgeon will begin by applying an eye drop that numbs the surface of the eye— which takes about 10 minutes for each eye.
The Procedure
The eye is moistened. A specialized device is positioned to keep the eye from moving, placing the central cornea in the correct position. Then a special laser, called a femtosecond laser, creates a hinged flap of thin corneal tissue, at which time the flap is lifted. A special second laser, called the excimer laser, gently reshapes the underlying corneal tissue, and then the corneal flap is precisely repositioned and quickly adheres to the eye.
The healing process is relatively quick. You can resume most normal activities the next day. However, you may wish to take a few days off from work and other activities.
Be aware that you may experience a mild burning sensation for a few hours after the procedure.
The day of procedure is a day of no expectation, and experiencing blurry vision is perfectly normal.
You can expect a considerable improvement by the next day as you return for your follow-up evaluation.
Impact sports or similar activities may have to be put on hold for as long as four weeks.
Do not drive until your vision has improved comfortably.
Avoid swimming, hot tubs, and whirlpools for at least two weeks after the procedure.
Report any unusual or aggravating side effects immediately.
For any concerns after surgery, Ophthalmologist Name and the team at Lasik & Cataract Surgery Center are available for all questions and concerns.
LASIK Risks And Side Effects
Meet Our LASIK & Cataract Optometrist
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