The Basics of LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK (Laser-Assisted-In-Situ Keratomileusis) is the most common type of laser vision correction procedure well known in the United States these days. Many people considered it as an extremely effective outpatient procedure that suits low, moderate, and higher prescriptions. It is widely recognized today that many eye centers, particularly in the United States, are offering this kind of service. With its enduring popularity, it’s no wonder that 10 years from now, LASIK will be recognized as a remarkable eye treatment in almost every corner of the world.

What is LASIK?

LASIK basically stands for Laser-Assisted-In-Situ Keratomileusis. It is a type of refractive surgery that reshapes the cornea of the eye so to correct the myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. In this king of eye surgery, a thin flap of tissue is cut, and then peeled back from the very front of the cornea, which is the transparent covering over your pupil. The laser literally vaporizes away some of the corneal tissues beneath the flap to make your cornea a slightly different shape which will correct any of your refractive error. The flap is placed back over the front of your eye after that basic procedure. Today, many experts considered LASIK as an outpatient procedure that is commonly performed by a refractive surgeon.

Procedures Involved in LASIK

At the start of the LASIK procedure, the patient is required to take an initial evaluation by the eye doctor. It is typical that you will be advised to stop wearing contact lenses and be made switched wearing glasses full time. Also, you will be informed about the possible risks and benefits involved in the treatment. This is to let the patient decide whether to go for the treatment or not. So, it is important then to weigh your options before signing the informed consent form.

So you’ve decided to take the surgery. Well, the day before surgery, you better stop using creams, lotions, makeup and perfumes. According to some experts these products may increase the risk of infection after undergoing the LASIK procedure. On the day you undergo the treatment, the doctor may give you some medicine to make you relax. The doctor will also ask you to tell about your past and current medical and eye conditions. And, another important part of the preparation is to inform your doctor about the medications you are taking; including any medications you are allergic to.

The entire LASIK procedure usually takes about thirty minutes to complete. And, in that 30-minute duration, you will be treated according to these procedures:

1. Before the LASIK eye treatment, numbing or anesthetic drops are instilled. This is performed while you lie on your back on the laser table.
2. A speculum will be placed on your eye. This will hold your eyelid open, and so to prevent you from blinking. As many LASIK patients have testified, this is the most uncomfortable part of the LASIK procedure.
3. The doctor will proceed by making reference marks which the doctor uses for correctly aligning the flap after the LASIK laser procedure has been performed. This will be done with the use of a particular device, designed for such purpose.
4. Another device, commonly known as a suction plate, will be used to provide a base for the microkeratome. When this device is applied, your eye is held stationary and you will feel some pressure, resulting in a temporary black out of vision in the eye.
5. With the eye held firmly in place, the second part of the device is used to flatten the cornea. Experts say that this will enable the special microkeratome blade to form a flap of uniform thickness.
6. When the flap is formed, the doctor will lift the flap back to expose the inner layer of the cornea.
7. With the flap folded back, the said refractive correction is made particularly on the inner layer of the cornea.
8. It is usually at this point when the doctor makes sure that your eye us perfectly focused and aligned.
9. Then, the laser treatment begins. The doctor will use laser with a metal tracking ring, which works in conjunction with an infrared tracking device. This is specially applied for tracking any slight movement of the eye, and also to make sure that the laser remains positioned on the area intended for treatment. What really indicates if the tracking device is locked in position is a small red light in the middle of the pupil.
10. Aside from the small red light in the middle of the pupil, there are also two outer red lights that are used to gauge the correct focus of the laser. If the focus is corrected, the sponge will be placed over top of the flap. This is to ensure that the inner surface of the flap is unaffected by the laser, and that the laser treatment is confined to the area intended for treatment.
11. The laser will then contour the exposed layer of cornea in accordance to the correction as well as the widest possible optical zone.
12. When the LASIK treatment is complete, the tracking ring will be removed.
13. Washing of the treated surface of the eye will follow. This is to ensure that any debris is flushed.
14. The flap is then floated back into its original position and the doctor will wash under the flap so remove any bubbles or any bits of debris left on the eye.
15. At this point, proper care must be taken by the doctor to make sure that the flap is excellently repositioned.
16. The flap is then returned to its original smooth position and the LASIK vision correction is complete.

It is further worthy to note that the eye has a natural suction facility that keeps the flap firmly in place. And, since very little of the epithelium has been disturbed during the LASIK procedure, only few hours of discomfort after having the LASIK treatment has been reported by most patients.

Continued >