Lasik Eye Correction

What is Lasik Eye Correction?

Lasik stands for “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis”. It is an irreversible refractive surgical procedure done by laser. Its goal is to restore vision by reshaping the cornea - the crystalline lens through which we see. Thus lask eye correction is a technique that uses a laser to correct your eyesight.

Who is Lasik for?

Lasik eye surgery can help you if you are myopic (nearsighted), hyperopic, or if you are astigmatic (images both far and near are distorted due to asymmetrical cornea). You must be over 18 as before that the cornea is still developing.

Lasik eye correction is not suitable if you have presbyopia - sometimes known as aging eyes.This is a condition that arises at the age of 40 and up due to a stiffening of the lens and a weakening of the eye muscles. As presbyopia is not caused by the shape of the cornea, Lasik cannot help this condition except via a procedure known as monovision in which one eye is optimized for far vision and the other for near vision.

There are also various contraindications which your doctor will test for and tell you about.

Why should I undergo Lasik?

Lasik is a quick, painless, safe procedure that can free you from the need for glasses and contact lenses. Results are immediate You will be able to see very clearly without glasses directly after the operation, or at least the next day.

How is Lasik performed?

When you are under local anaesthetic, the surgeon creates a very thin circular flap in the cornea with a special knife or a laser. He then folds the flap back and removes some corneal tissue with an excimer laser. Finally he replaces the flap.

For nearsighted people the target is to flatten a too-steep cornea, while for the farsighted, the objective is to steepen the cornea. To correct astigmatism, the surgeon smoothens the irregular cornea into a normal shape.

Where is Lasik performed?

When looking to have Lasik performed, you should consider a well-known, and trusted center. This will require thorough search and study as there are hundreds of centers in each state and city, all with different prices.

You should search for a reputable center and research it thoroughly. It's also a good idea to pay a personal visit to the centers you're interested in. Consulting with acquaintances who have already had Lasik is a great way to get feedback.

When is Lasik performed?

First your ophthalmologist will examine your eyes to determine if you are a suitable candidate for Lasik. If so, he will then uses a corneal topographer to photograph the eye and creates a map of the cornea which will display the corneal irregularities - the steepness or flatness which the surgeon must correct during the surgery. He will then make an appointment for the Lasik procedure.

Before deciding to undergo Lasik eye correction, you should develop a clear understanding of the procedure. This you can find at this web site. You will learn about the procedure, any risks, quick tips (dos and don'ts), Lasik evolution and the latest technology, and other alternatives.

The Lasik Eye Correction Prodedure

Lasik eye correction surgery is a swift procedure which can help nearsighted people, farsighted people, and those with astigmatism. It takes just a few minutes. Here is an overview of the procedure.

Before Surgery

The first step is for the physician to examine your eyes to determine their health and determine if lasik is possible. The ophthalmologist uses a refractor, a slit lamp, to check for retinal problems, and a tonometer to determine the intraocular pressure. If this pressure is high, then this is an early sign of glaucoma.

He will also check for the hydration of the eye, to make sure there is no dry eye disease. If he finds signs of the disease, he should treat it before the Lasik is performed.

He then uses a corneal topographer to photograph the eye and creates a map of the cornea. Nobody has a perfectly rounded cornea; the topographer here will display the corneal irregularities - the steepness or flatness which the surgeon must correct during the surgery.

New tools for this step include wave front devices. These send waves through the eye to provide a more precise map of the corneal irregularities that affect  vision.

The surgeon will ask about your general health. Having specific health problems or being on medications may affect the surgery or pose risks.You should be frank with your doctor about this. After the examination, he will inform you as to whether it is OK to undergo this operation.
The Lasik Procedure

A microkeratome creates a very thin circular flap in the cornea.

A more modern technique called Intralasik uses a special laser called Intralase to do this. Next the surgeon folds the flap back and removes some tissues of the cornea underneath this flap with an excimer laser. This excimer laser is a cool ultraviolet light beam, which removes very thin layer of the corneal tissue to reshape the cornea. The amount to be removed from the cornea is predetermined by computer. It depends on the required focus of the light through the eye and onto the retina to achieve the required vision.

Lasik Enhancement Procedures

Though Lasik eye surgery is one of the most successful types of surgery, 20/20 vision can be difficult to achieve. This is usually due to the patient’s condition (e.g. healing response). In some cases, he requires an enhancement procedure afterwards. It is a minor one and simpler than the actual Lasik operation.

An enhancement procedure usually takes place three months after the initial Lasik operation. This is to allow the condition of the eyes to stabilize. You should not be disappointed if the perfect vision you experience directly after the surgery falls off gradually to a modest level. This can happen. You should give your eyes enough time to heal first. Do not decide to undergo an enhancement before that.

In some situations, an enhancement is essential. For example when you cannot perform some important activities because of the overcorrection or under correction from the Lasik eye correction. If you can live your life normally without being dependant on eyeglasses or contact lenses, then you are not in need of enhancement.

Are you a suitable candidate for Laser Eye Correction? Read Lasik Eye Correction Contraindications