The removal of damaged tissues during LASIK surgery

As a form of laser eye surgery, LASIK is becoming more and more prevailing in recent year. Some patients with vision problems may decide to take this surgery because of recommendations from their friends, while some others are just attracted by commercials that promote the LASIK procedure. One point is undeniable that the benefits of LASIK surgery are being recognized by an increasing number of people.

Imperfect visual outcomes after a LASIK surgery

LASIK is quite fast that no more than one hour from the start to the end is needed. And the surgery requires very little postoperative care. These are advantageous aspects of LASIK and explain why this procedure is so attractive. However, LASIK does not always ensure 100% satisfaction. While most people can restore 20/20 vision, some of those LASIK participants can only gain 20/40. As a precise eye surgery, any mistake during the procedure can lead to unwanted results, such as over-treated or under-treated corneas. As a result, some patients still need to wear corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses after receiving the surgery. Fortunately, most patients who get unsatisfactory visual outcomes can receive an enhancement surgery.

The exact reason for refractive errors

If we know the detailed process of LASIK surgery, it is easier to understand its potential risks or disappointing outcomes. In general, LASIK eye surgery cleanses the cornea, removing any forms of debris in this area. It is widely known that vision problems such as nearsightedness and farsightedness are caused by irregular shape of the cornea. Nevertheless, few people know that the irregular shape in turn results from the debris or damaged tissues under the cornea.

Detailed steps of LASIK surgery

The cornea consists of five layers. After cutting the epithelium or the stroma, a LASIK surgeon will then carefully remove the damaged tissues underneath these layers. Different degrees of vision problems require different depths of the cutting. The removal of debris takes use of a laser so that patients will not experience any pain. Within several seconds, the debris can be removed.

Why is an enhancement LASIK needed?

The removal of damaged corneal tissues should be carried out in a very precise way, guided by a computer. And the necessary amount of tissues to be cut has been measured accurately before the surgery. However, such a precise surgery can not avoid all mishaps, which are associated more frequently with inexperienced surgeons. Any of the imperfect outcomes mentioned above requires an enhancement surgery, which differs slightly from the primary one. It is no longer necessary to cut a corneal flap. After re-lifting flap cut during the primary surgery, the surgeon will use an excimer laser to reshape mildly the cornea during the enhancement surgery.