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What is the LASIK procedure like?

In order to best understand how the LASIK procedure works, it is important to understand a little bit about the eye and vision errors. Your doctor will explain this information to you in a consultation visit. To locate a qualified specialist near you, please call 1800LaserDr (527-3737).

The Eye and Vision Errors

The cornea is a part of the eye that helps focus light to create an image on the retina. It works in much the same way that the lens of a camera focuses light to create an image on film. The bending and focusing of light is also known as refraction. Usually the shape of the 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. There are three primary types of refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

-Myopia-
Persons with myopia, or nearsightedness, have more difficulty seeing distant objects as clearly as near objects.

-Hyperopia-
Persons with hyperopia, or farsightedness, have more difficulty seeing near objects as clearly as distant objects.

-Astigmatism-
Astigmatism is a distortion of the image on the retina caused by irregularities in the cornea or lens of the eye.

Combinations of myopia and astigmatism or hyperopia and astigmatism are common. Glasses or contact lenses are designed to compensate for the eye's imperfections. Surgical procedures aimed at improving the focusing power of the eye are called refractive surgery. In LASIK surgery, precise and controlled removal of corneal tissue by a special laser reshapes the cornea changing its focusing power.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

NOTE about Presbyopia
Presbyopia occurs as you reach your 40’s or 50’s. The lens inside your eye loses its elasticity, making it more difficult to read smaller print. Because laser vision correction does not deal with the lens of your eye, it can not correct this problem.

The Procedure

Prior to your LASIK procedure, an extremely detailed map of the surface of your eyes will be created by a computer. This map is then used by your surgeon to calibrate the excimer laser to your exact prescription. Before going into the laser room, you will also be given a few drops of anesthetic to numb your eye and prevent pain.

After properly calibrating the laser, your surgeon will place an eyelid holder in your eye to keep it open throughout the procedure. Your surgeon then uses a microkeratome (an automated microsurgical instrument similar in design to a carpenter's plane) to create a corneal flap with a thickness of approximately 1/4 of the cornea’s depth. A cool laser beam of light from the excimer laser is then used to precisely and gently reshape the cornea.

The flap is then carefully put back into place and the eyelid holder is removed from your eye. The flap will heal and bond more securely over the next few days.

The complete procedure only takes about five minutes and the laser is on each eye for less than one minute for an average prescription.

When your procedure is finished, you will relax in a recovery room for about fifteen to twenty minutes, allowing the medical staff to make sure that everything is in order before you leave. As you relax, additional drops will be placed in your eyes to keep them lubricated. You may also be given protective eye shields to place over your eyes to prevent you from rubbing them while sleeping during the first night, and/or sunglasses to reduce the discomfort the sunlight may cause. During this early postoperative period it is important to not squeeze or rub your eyes. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops are also used to prevent infection and decrease inflammation.

Many patients will feel the need to rest for a few hours when the procedure is completed. Later that evening, most patients feel extremely well and are very pleased with their results already. A great number of patients go back to work the next day, while others wait a few days before going back to their normal routines.

You will need to return for a post-operative check up following your procedure to ensure that your eyes are healing as expected. There are a few restrictions for a week or so following your procedure, but as long as you follow the doctor's instructions, you should be free to resume all of your normal activities shortly thereafter.