Lasik Surgery

“LASIK” (or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a form of refractive eye surgery that is performed by ophthalmologists. It is generally indicated for correction of sight conditions such as myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia, and astigmatism. It requires less recovery time and is generally less painful than other forms of corrective eye surgery. For many people, the primary reason to undergo LASIK laser surgery is to rid them of the need to wear corrective lenses or contact lenses.

How does LASIK Laser Surgery work?

LASIK laser surgery is performed while the patient is awake but sedated, and the doctor will administer anesthetic eye drops to minimize the patient’s discomfort during the procedure. The LASIK laser surgery itself is performed in three steps: flap creation, laser remodeling, and repositioning of flap.

Step 1: Flap creation

The second phase of LASIK laser surgery is when a suction ring is applied to the eye to hold the eye in place, and one the eye is immobilized the flap is created. This is accomplished with a mechanical microkeratome using a metal blade or a femtosecond laser microkeratome, both of which form a series of tiny, close arranged bubbles on the patient’s cornea. At one end of this flap, a hinge is left in place and the flap is then folded back, revealing the stroma, or middle section of the cornea. The patient can sometimes experience discomfort during the lifting and folding back of the flap.

Step 2: Laser remodeling

During the second stage, an Excimer laser is used to remodel the corneal stroma. The laser turns the tissue to vapor in a precise, controlled manner so as not to damage the nearby stroma. No heat or actual cutting is required! The layers of tissue removed are just tens of micrometers thick.

Once the flap is lifted, the patient’s vision will be very blurry. They will be able to see only white light surrounding the orange light given off by the laser, a situation that can sometimes cause mild disorientation. This is only short-lived, however.

Step 3: Repositioning of flap

After the laser has successfully reshaped the stromal layer, the LASIK flap is then carefully repositioned over the treatment site by the surgeon. The surgeon will then check for the presence of air bubbles or debris, and he will ensure the flap forms a proper fit over the eye once again. Only the patient’s natural adhesion is used to keep the flap in place until the healing process is completed. The LASIK laser surgery is now complete.