LASIK

LASIK or Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis is a type of corrective eye surgery to treat conditions such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. This is the most commonly done refractive eye procedure, partly because the procedure is relatively painless and produces quick results.

How LASIK is done

In LASIK, a microkeratome is used to create a small circular flap in the cornea. This flap is then held out of the way so that a laser beam can be focused on the corneal tissue. This beam is programmed to remove a definite amount of tissue from the cornea with each pulse, thus flattening the curve of the cornea and allowing it to refract rays better, giving the patient clearer vision. After the procedure, the flap is then put back into place to cover the area where the corneal tissue was removed.

Conditions that can be cured by LASIK

Nearsightedness- in this condition the eyeball is longer than normal or curves too sharply, causing the light that enters to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Signs of nearsightedness include blurry distance vision which becomes clearer when squinting.

Farsightedness- this is a result of the light landing behind the retina instead of on it and is often the result of a shorter-than-average eyeball or a cornea that is too flat.

Astigmatism- astigmatism is the most common vision problem and the result of an irregularly-shaped cornea. In some cases it may be caused by an irregularly-shaped lens which is located behind the cornea (lenticular astigmatism).

Preoperative Preparations

The first step that your doctor will do is make a thorough assessment to make sure that you do not have any conditions that will disqualify you from having the surgery. These conditions include an immune system disease, persistent dry eyes, and certain eye characteristics (for example, deep set eyes may make the procedure more difficult and prone to more risks).

Then he does a more thorough exam on your eyes to note the irregularities and to determine how much correction is needed. A wavefront scanner if often used to create a more precise map of the irregularities in your eye.

Patients are often advised not to wear make-up and eye creams the day before the surgery. Those who wear contact lenses need to remove their lenses a few weeks before the exam since contacts can change the shape of the cornea.

During the Procedure

Patients are often given a mild sedative to keep them relaxed. Anaesthetic eye drops are applied on the eye to numb the eye, rendering the procedure painless. The doctor then uses a microkeratome to cut a flap on the eye and the laser is used to ablate the eye tissue. The entire procedure may take a short as 5 to 30 minutes.

After the procedure, the patient is often given medications to relieve any pain. The eyes may burn, itch or become watery a few hours after surgery, which is why patients are often advised to rest after the procedure. A shield is placed over the eye until it heals.

Outcomes (Prognosis)

Patients will be able to see the day after the surgery, although the full effects of the surgery will only be experienced a few months after the surgery, as vision gradually improves. Improvement in vision is also affected in part by the condition of the patient's vision before surgery.

Risks

As with any other kind of surgery, LASIK carries with it certain risks that you have to be aware of if you are planning to undergo this particular procedure. Some of these risks include:

Undercorrection- this occurs when too little corneal tissue is removed and is more common in nearsighted patients

Overcorrection- when too much corneal tissue is removed, this may not cause a return to normal vision at all, but the formation of new vision problems. Overcorrection is often more difficult to repair than undercorrection

Astigmatism- this is often the result of uneven tissue removal. Patients may need to have another surgery to correct this problem

Gray halos and double vision- although this goes away after the application of eye drops, some cases may require a second surgery

Dry eyes- this may also be relieved by eye drops but a second surgery may be needed in some cases

Infection, tearing and swelling- the flap may become infected, and tearing may occur if you accidentally rub your eyes right after the procedure

It is important that you consult your doctor immediately once signs of these complications appear for prompt correction.

Patients who have undergone this particular surgery often report of a great improvement in their quality of life, including improvement in personal safety, greater confidence and self-esteem, and better participation in sports and other activities. If you are suffering from a vision problem that can be corrected by LASIK, discuss your options with your doctor.