LASIK General Info FAQ
Please select your question from the following list of FAQs:
What is laser eye surgery?
The cornea and lens focus images onto the retina (in the back of the eye). With myopia, hyperopia, and/or astigmatism, the overall shape of the curvature of the cornea is incorrect. This results in the the visual image being out of focus. Since the cornea accounts for about two-thirds of the focusing power of the eye, excimer laser reshaping of the cornea can often eliminate the visual blur.
What is LASIK?
Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a surgical technique which utilizes the excimer laser to reshape the cornea. The LASIK procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, and involves the creation of a flap in the cornea. After drops of anesthetic, the flap is made with a surgical device called a microkeratome. The corneal flap is then reflected over to expose the central portion of the cornea (called the stroma). The excimer laser is then used to remove microscopic amounts of the internal corneal tissue. The removal of the tissue changes the curvature of the cornea.
What is the Goal of LASIK?
The easy answer is - to be able to function without depending on glasses or contacts to see. For nearsighted patients, the goal of the procedure is to flatten the cornea. For farsighted patients, the goal of the procedure is to increase the curvature of the cornea. For astigmatism, removal of selected tissue at certain angles is performed to allow for the overall cornea to become more spherical in shape. After the laser, the corneal flap is returned to its original position. The corneal flap will stick in place without the need for stitches.
What are the advantages of LASIK versus other laser corrective techniques?
1. Faster healing time 2. Rapid visual recovery 3. Diminished risk of corneal haze 4. Less post-op pain/discomfort 5. Enhancements are straightforward to perform - just lift the flap and apply laser
What are the disadvantages of LASIK compared to Photo-Refractive Keratectomy (PRK)?
1. Complications in creating the flap, although rare, can cause permanent visual changes 2. For myopia: LASIK can only treat up to -12.0 to -14.0 of myopia. 3. For hyperopia: LASIK can only treat up to 6.0 of hyperopia 4. For thin corneas, LASIK may not be able to treat the refractive error due to the risk of corneal thinning.