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Article DetailsWhat is LASIK Eye Surgery? |
One of the most common procedures performed in the field of ophthalmology is LASIK eye correction. LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. It is a surgical procedure whereby an excimer laser permanently changes the shape of the cornea (the transparent layer covering the front of the eye). The cornea is highly refractive, and thus, a major component in the eye’s ability to Types of Correction LASIK surgery is used for three types of vision correction: myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. People with myopia, have an inability to see clearly at a distance, while people with hyperopia have an inability to see clearly close up. Astigmatism is a condition where the shape of the cornea is irregular; it prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, resulting in blurred vision. LASIK can be an effective treatment for each of these refractive problems and can also be an effective treatment for people who have a combination of myopia with astigmatism or hyperopia with astigmatism. The LASIK Procedure Pre-Surgery The first step in a LASIK procedure is discussing your interest in the procedure with an ophthalmologist. Once you have contacted an ophthalmologist to decide if LASIK eye correction is right for you, you will be required to remove your contact lenses and wear your glasses for two to four weeks prior to your pre-operative evaluation. Living without your contacts allows your cornea to return to its natural shape. Returning your corneas to their natural shape will help give your physician accurate mapping information for your procedure. During your pre-operative exam, your doctor will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your eyes. The doctor will assess your vision problems, pupil size, corneal thickness, and astigmatism. From these tests your doctor will be able to determine if you are a LASIK candidate (see Are you a Potential Candidate for LASIK?). Once the doctor determines that you are a candidate, he will map your eyes with a corneal topographer. While there are several types of corneal topographers (or mapping devices), LASIK eye surgery’s most current technology is wavefront LASIK. Physicians who use computerized wavefront mapping are able to detect small eye imperfections that cause blurriness incapable of being corrected by glasses or contacts. Wavefront LASIK mapping creates an extremely accurate “fingerprint” of each eye for the laser to use as its guide during LASIK eye surgery. (For more information about wavefront mapping see What is Custom Wavefront LASIK Eye Surgery?) Surgery Between your evaluation and the surgery, you will need to discontinue the use of makeup to reduce the probability of infection. On the day of surgery, the staff will place drops in your eyes to help prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and numb the eyes. You will be awake during the LASIK eye correction procedure; while you may feel some pressure on your eyes at times, the surgery is quick and painless. After you are prepped for surgery, the doctor places clamps on your numbed eyes to prevent you from blinking. The corneal surface is then marked with a dye marker to ensure the thin flap of corneal tissue to be cut is accurately replaced after the procedure. Next, a suction ring is placed on the eye to keep it from moving; the eye must be steady for the doctor to create an opening for the laser to do its repairs. This opening is created by using either a microkeratome (small blade) or a femtosecond laser (IntraLase). The flap of tissue which results is then pulled back and the laser begins its work. With LASIK wavefront mapping, the laser is guided by a three-dimensional map to achieve a high incidence of accurate correction. The excimer laser in the procedure directs a cold beam of ultraviolet light into the cornea—reshaping the cornea so that it will focus more accurately on the retina (the light sensitive sensory tissue that lines the back of the eye). This reshaping takes only a few seconds. Then the thin Post-Surgery Immediately following the surgery, your vision may be somewhat blurry and you may feel drowsy. For this reason, it is best to have someone else drive you home. Recovery time is usually quick with this procedure, often taking only a few days. Keep in mind that every patient is different. For this reason, it is best to consult with your physician if you feel you are experiencing any adverse side effects that are inhibiting your recovery. (For more information, see Side Effects and Potential Complications of LASIK Surgery). This article is for general information purposes. Please consult your physician for advice regarding your specific needs and issues.
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