What is LASIK?
LASIK improves vision safely and precisely by reshaping the cornea to correct nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. Vision improves within minutes, and most patients eventually enjoy 20/20 vision or better after treatment.
LASIK offers many improvements over other refractive surgery procedures. These include little or no post-operative discomfort, immediate vision improvement, and the ability to drive or return to work quickly-sometimes as soon as the next day. Most patients require no corrective eyewear after surgery (although patients over 45 often need reading glasses).
LASIK is an outpatient procedure performed by Dr. Kay and Dr. Tabas that usually takes less than ten minutes to perform. You will arrive at the laser center one hour before your surgery, and leave about 30 minutes after the procedure.
With the introduction of Wavefront mapping technology, our doctors can now customize the LASIK treatment for every patient. The new WaveScan® technology developed by VISX can detect higher-order aberrations that have gone previously undetected. Halos, poor night vision and overall quality of vision is greatly improved.
The diagnostic information scanned from your eye is converted to a Wavefront Map, and this individualized treatment information is transferred directly to the laser. The Wavefront Map guides the treatment, resulting in a customized LASIK procedure for each patient.
During the procedure, a device called a microkeratome cuts a thin flap in the surface of the cornea. Patients are given anesthesia so they can't feel the instruments and remain comfortable. The flap is then lifted and an excimer laser beam reshapes the cornea's curvature to improve vision. The flap is then closed by the surgeon and irrigated underneath with saline fluid. The flap is allowed to dry for 2 minutes and adheres naturally and securely. You are given antibiotic eye drops. |
The results of the FDA's clinical study on visual acuity show that 6 months after the VISX CustomVue™ procedure:
- 100% of patients could see 20/40 or better
- 94% achieved 20/20 or better
- 74% were 20/16 or better
Careful measurements are done on your eyes prior to surgery to determine if you are a candidate for Wavefront guided LASIK.
Not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK. When you come in for an evaluation, your eyes will be examined to determine whether LASIK or another refractive procedure is appropriate for you, and whether you are at risk for any complications.
The ideal LASIK candidate:
- Is over 18 years old;
- Has had stable vision for at least six months;
- Has a healthy cornea thick enough for a flap;
- Has refractive error(s) that fall within the treatable range;
- Does not have a disease or condition that could impair the procedure or healing process;
- Has been educated about the procedure including its risks and benefits.
- Understands that the goal of surgery is to improve vision and reduce dependence on glasses and contact lenses.
During your consultation, your surgeon will review your eyesight and discuss whether LASIK is right for you.
 The excimer laser was originally invented to etch microchips more than two decades ago. It produces a cool ultraviolet beam of light to gently reshape the front surface of the eye. The excimer laser works by breaking molecular bonds, and it is this ability of the excimer laser to remove a single cell at a time without damaging surrounding cells that allows us to perform laser vision corrections with such precision. A computer precisely controls the pattern and number of laser pulses applied, while the surgeon guides the laser beam. This custom reshaping of the cornea changes its focusing power so that the images are brought to focus clearly on the retina.
The excimer laser can be used for the correction of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Click here for more information on LASIK
Click here to view LASIK Animations
back to top
|
