Definition | Am I a Candidate? | Procedure | Risks

LASIK
For Nearsightedness,
Farsightedness and
Astigmatism

WHAT IS LASIK?

Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis, or LASIK, is an outpatient surgical procedure that treats myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. LASIK uses a microsurgical instrument and a laser to reshape the cornea (the clear covering of the eye) to improve the way the eye focuses light rays on the retina.

LASIK may decrease your dependence on glasses and contacts or, in some cases, allow you to do without them entirely. Most people who have this procedure are corrected to 20/40 vision and may people achieve 20/20 vision.

AM I GOOD CANDIDATE FOR LASIK?

People who want to minimize their dependence on glasses or contact lenses make good candidates for LASIK, lifestyle, hobbies and amount of correction needed are all factors that may determine whether you are a good candidate.

The ideal candidate for LASIK is over 18 years of age, not pregnant, and free of any eye disease. You should not have had a change in your prescription in the last year, and should have a refractive error within the range of correction for LASIK. You must also be willing to accept the potential risks and complications and side effects.

HOW IS LASIK DONE?

LASIK is performed in a reclining chair in an out-patient surgical site. First, the eye is numbed with a few drops of topical anaesthetic. These drops may sting. An eyelid holder is placed between the eyelids to keep them open and prevent you from blinking.

A suction ring, placed on the eye, lifts and flattens the cornea and helps keep the eye from moving. You may feel pressure from the eyelid holder and suction ring, similar to a finger pressed firmly on your eyelid. From the time the suction ring is put on the eye until it Is removed, vision appears dim or goes black. The microkeratome, an automated microsurgical instrument, is attached to the suction ring. As the microkeratome blade moves across the cornea, you will hear a buzzing sound. The microkeratome stops at a preset point, far enough from the edge of the cornea to create a hinged flap of paper-thin corneal tissue.

The microkeratome and the suction ring are removed from the eye, and the flap is lifted and folded back. As the flap moves, your vision gets blurrier. The laser, pre-programmed to your prescription is then centered above the eye. While you stare at an overhead light the laser sculpts the exposed corneal tissue. A clicking sound, made by the laser, can be heard during the procedure. After the laser has completed reshaping the cornea, the surgeon places the flap back into position and smoothes the edges. The flap adheres to its own in two to three minutes.

WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE SURGERY?

Your ophthalmologist will perform a thorough eye exam to measure your prescription to check for any abnormalities that might affect the procedure. Your doctor will check your eyes for unusual dryness, which would cause dry eye symptoms post-operatively, or unusually large pupils, which could affect night or low-light vision.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER SURGERY?

A see through shield protects the eye for the first day and night. It is normal for the eye to burn of feel scratchy. This usually happens in a few hours. Plan on going home to take a nap or just relax after the procedure. You will be given eye drops to help heal and alleviate dryness. Healing after LASIK is usually less uncomfortable than with other methods of refractive surgery because the laser removes tissue from the inside of the cornea and not the more sensitive corneal surface.

RISKS, COMPLICATIONS AND SIDE EFFECTS

LASIK, like any other surgery, has risks and complications that should be carefully considered. LASIK can sometimes result in under correction or over correction. Fortunately, these problems can often be improved with glasses, contact lenses or an additional laser surgery. Although rare, over correction may be permanent.

Most complications can be treated without any loss of vision. Permanent vision loss is very rare. There is a chance, though extremely small, that you vision will not be as good after the surgery as before, even with glasses or contact lenses. This is called a loss of best corrected vision.

Some people experience temporary side effects after LASIK. These include:

• discomfort or pain
• hazy or blurry vision
• scratchiness
• dryness
• glare
• halos or starbursts around lights
• light sensitivity
• small pink or red patches on the white of the eye

Almost everyone experiences some dryness in the eyes and fluctuating vision during the day. Theses symptoms usually fade within one month, although some people will continue to have symptoms for a longer period of time.