LASIK SURGERIES

LASIK is a type of refractive surgery.

This surgery uses a laser to treat vision problems caused by refractive errors. A refractive error occurs when your eye does not refract (bend) light properly.

To see clearly, light rays must travel through your cornea and lens. The cornea and lens refract the light so it lands on the retina. The retina converts light into signals that travel to your brain, creating images. With refractive errors, the shape of your cornea or lens prevents light from bending properly. When light is not focused on the retina as it should be, your vision is affected.

With LASIK, your ophthalmologist uses a laser to reshape your cornea. This laser eye surgery improves how light rays are focused on the retina. LASIK is used to treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. The goal of LASIK is to correct your refractive error to enhance your vision.

LASIK eye surgery may reduce your need for eyeglasses or contact lenses and, in some cases, may eliminate the need for them.

Who Is a Good Candidate for LASIK Surgery?

To have LASIK surgery, you need to meet certain requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old (ideally over 21, when vision is less likely to change).
• Have had a stable eye prescription for the past year.
• Have a refractive error that can be treated with LASIK.
• Have corneas that are thick enough and healthy, with generally good overall eye health.
• Have realistic expectations about what LASIK can and cannot achieve.

Some people are not candidates for LASIK, including those with:

• An unstable refractive error
• Extreme levels of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism
• Severe dry eye
• Corneas that are too thin
• Corneal scars or disease
• Keratoconus (cone-shaped cornea)
• Advanced Glaucoma
• A cataract affecting vision
• A history of certain eye infections
• Uncontrolled diabetes

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid LASIK due to potential vision changes during pregnancy.

Your ophthalmologist will discuss other conditions that may affect your suitability for LASIK.

To determine if you are a candidate, your ophthalmologist will examine your eyes, checking:

• Overall eye health
• Corneal measurements
• Refractive error

In some cases, your ophthalmologist may also measure tear quality and quantity to assess dry eyes.

What to Expect With LASIK

Before the Surgery:

• Discuss your vision needs and expectations with your ophthalmologist. If you engage in activities like sports, you might seek a clearer vision from surgery.
• Your ophthalmologist will thoroughly examine your eyes to ensure you are a candidate. This includes:
  • Testing your vision to ensure it hasn’t changed and to assess how high your refractive error is.
  • Check for other eye problems that could affect the surgery or worsen with LASIK, such as dry eyes.
  • Measuring and mapping the surface of your cornea to program the laser.
    
    

During LASIK:

• The procedure is performed in an outpatient center or your ophthalmologist’s office.
• Your eye will be numbed with drops.
• An eyelid holder will be placed to prevent blinking, and you will feel some pressure. Your vision may dim or go black.
• A flap will be created using either a microkeratome or a laser and folded back. The laser will then reshape your cornea. The flap is folded back into place and adheres on its own within 2 to 3 minutes.
  
  

After LASIK:

• A clear shield may be placed over your eye or you may be asked to wear one while sleeping for a few days to protect the eye while it heals.
• Plan to rest after surgery; your eyes may feel scratchy or burning for a few hours. Special eye drops will be provided to reduce dryness and aid healing.

Vision After LASIK:

• About 90% of LASIK patients achieve vision between 20/20 and 20/40 without glasses or contacts.
• LASIK does not correct presbyopia, the age-related loss of close-up vision. Most people will need reading glasses after around age 40.

What is the Difference Between LASIK and Femto-LASIK?

The main difference between standard LASIK and femto-LASIK is the method of corneal flap preparation. In LASIK, the flap is cut with a microkeratome (a small cutting blade), while in Femto-LASIK, the flap is cut with a femtosecond laser (a bladeless technology).