What is LASIK?
What does LASIK correct?
LASIK works to reshape the curvature of the cornea. The cornea is the part of your eye that helps focus light to create an image on the retina. The bending and focusing of light is also known as refraction. Usually the shape of your cornea and the eye are not perfect and the image on the retina is out-of-focus (blurred) or distorted. These imperfections in the focusing power of the eye are called refractive errors. Your doctor may prescribe glasses or contact lenses to compensate for your eye's imperfections. Surgical procedures aimed at improving the focusing power of the eye are called refractive surgery.
What is LASIK?
Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a type of refractive surgical technique that uses cool-beam lasers to reshape or change the curvature of the cornea. The most recent, state-of-the-art laser procedure, LASIK has the widest range of FDA approvals for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. It is the preferred choice for laser vision correction among eye doctors and patients.
LASIK is a pretty straightforward procedure which usually will take less than 30 minutes to complete. LASIK has advantages over other procedures, including a relative lack of pain afterward and the fact that good vision is usually achieved almost immediately, or at least by the very next day.
Serious complications to LASIK surgery are extremely rare. Laser vision correction is a very safe, effective and permanent procedure, but like any procedure, it does have some risks. The risks involved with LASIK surgery are small and can be significantly minimized by going to an eye specialist experienced in laser vision correction. Make sure to discuss these risks when you visit your LASIK surgeon.
How is LASIK performed?
In performing LASIK, your doctor will use an eye drop anesthetic to numb your eye during the surgery. Additionally, the doctor will place an instrument, commonly called a lid speculum around your eye to keep your eyelid open. A ring will than be placed around your eye and pressure will be applied to create "suction" to the cornea.
Your LASIK surgeon will than painlessly lift a thin, hinged flap of corneal tissue with a precise, automatic surgical instrument called a microkeratome. . This protective flap is folded back to expose the cornea for reshaping. The laser's cool light then gently pulses to remove a predetermined microscopic amount of tissue in order to sculpt the cornea's surface and correct the refractive error. Application of the laser changes the curvature of the cornea. If the patient is nearsighted, the central part of the cornea is reshaped to flatten the cornea. The amount of tissue to be removed is dependent on the eye's curvature. If you are nearsighted, your cornea will be made flatter, if you are farsighted, the doctor will be making your cornea steeper and if you have astigmatism, your cornea will be made more spherical. After the laser work is complete, the flap is placed back in position where it will naturally bond without stitches or bandages.
After the LASIK surgery, you vision may be a little blurry or hazy and you may feel the need to rub them. Rubbing your eyes is not a good thing to do as the flap of the eye is in the process of reattaching. You will be seeing your doctor again in the first 24 hours to 48 hours after LASIK. More than likely, you should have started to see the results of your LASIK surgery before this appointment. Your doctor will check your eyes and make sure the healing process is progressing as expected.
All in all, the LASIK procedure will be completed in 15-30 minutes start-to-finish and will have you on your way to "seeing what you have been missing."
How do I get started?
The first step is to determine if you are indeed a good candidate for LASIK. All of our doctors offer complimentary screening consultations to determine your candidacy. In order to decide whether you're a good candidate for LASIK, your eye doctor will examine your eyes to determine their health, what kind of vision correction you need, and develop recommendations for your individual needs.
The doctor should perform a thorough exam and discuss whether you are a good candidate, what the risks and benefits are, the surgery process, and what you will need to do to make the process a success. Remember, no one needs emergency Laser Vision Correction, so take your time until you feel comfortable with your doctor and the information that you've received.
To schedule a consultation with one of our LASIK surgeons, click here or call (800) 505-3526.