Detailed explanation of LASIK

Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 1:53 pm Post in Vision Surgery

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is actually the most popular refractive surgery. LASIK causes less afterward pain and offers quick vision recovery. A microkeratome or a laser can be used to create a thin flap during LASIK. After lifting the flap, the surgeon removes some corneal tissue with an excimer laser. Both hyperopic and myopic patients can get visual correction from LASIK through reshaping the cornea. LASIK flattens the too-steep cornea in myopic people and creates steep cornea for hyperopic patients.

There are many things can be done before a LASIK procedure. The patient must choose a suitable and competent surgeon of LASIK surgery. The doctor then examines the eyes for potential dry eye disease and makes a decision that if the patient is a good candidate for LASIK. Patients may also receive a wavefront analysis in order to provide more precise guidance during the procedure. In addition, medications that the patients currently take should also be evaluated.

LASIK is ambulatory and requires quite a few actions in the patient’s side. A LASIK procedure typically takes less than five minutes and seldom applies an oral sedative. After anesthetizing the eyes, the surgeon positions the patient in a right way and uses a retainer to keep his eye open. During the painless procedure, there are still further steps. The surgeon will then use an ink marker to mark the cornea for the creation of a very-thin flap. Computer is also used to adjust the laser operated to reshape the cornea. During the laser applying process, the patient may experience a steady clicking sound and a mildly acrid smell.

In general, a higher prescription requires a longer surgical process. If necessary, the other eye can be treated at the same visit after the completion of the first eye. LASIK causes less aftermath pain than PRK, so that only a few prescription medications are enough. In the short term after the surgery, patients need proper rest and relaxation. Most patients can return to work the next day. In addition, strenuous exercise and rubbing should be avoided during the first week after LASIK.

The recovery period after LASIK varies significantly from person to person. While vision improvement occurs in some patients immediately, the vision can be stable in some individuals after few days or even weeks. But most patients can restore 20/40 vision or better. Postoperative complications including infection and night glare are sometimes inevitable. Patients should keep proper expectation that LASIK can not cure all visual problems. For instance, presbyopia in people over 40 is beyond LASIK.