What Is LASIK?Lasik stands for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, and is a type of refractive laser eye surgery performed by ophthalmologists for correcting myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. The procedure is preferred to photorefractive keratectomy, PRK, because it requires less time for the patient's full recovery, and is less painful for the patient. Lasik is an alternative to wearing corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses to improve vision. Lasik surgery was developed in 1990 by Lucio Buratto (Italy) and Ioannis Pallikaris (Greece) as a combining of two previous techniques, keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy. Lasik quickly became popular because of the superior precision and the reduced frequency of complications compared to these former two techniques. Lasik today uses, faster lasers, larger spot areas, bladeless flap incision, and wavefront-optimized and -guided techniques.This has significantly improved the outcome of the procedure as compared to earlier techinques. This is not to say that Lasik doesn't have fundamental limitations. The use of of excimer lasers creating an undesirable destruction of the eye's nerves has indicated that research should be done into many alternatives to "plain" Lasik.Some of the alternatives to Lasik include all-femtosecond correction (Femtosecond Lenticule EXtraction, FLIVC), Lasek, Epi-Lasik, sub-Bowman's Keratomileusis also called thin-flap Lasik, wavefront-guided PRK, and modern intraocular lenses (lens replacement). Before Lasik surgery occurs the patint is given a list of preoperative instructions. A patient who wears soft contact lenses will be told to stop wearing them approximately 10 to 15 days before surgery. If a patient wears hard contact lenses he made be told to stop wearing them for a minimum of six weeks plus another six weeks for every three years the hard contacts had been worn. Also prior to Lasik surgery, the patient's corneas are examined with instruments to determine their thickness, and to measure their surface contour. Wavefront technology may also be used to map the refractive errors which will help to guide the laser during surgery. This process also detects astigmatism and other irregularities in the shape of the cornea. Using this information, the Lasik surgeon can calculate the amount and locations of corneal tissue to be removed during the operation. The Lasik patient typically is prescribed an antibiotic to start taking beforehand, to minimize the risk of infection after the procedure. Lasik surgery is performed in two steps. The first step is to create a flap of corneal tissue. A corneal suction ring is paced on the eye to hold the eye in place. This step in Lasik surgery can sometimes cause small blood vessels to break, resulting in bleeding or subconjunctival hemorrhage into the white of the eye. This is a harmless side effect that should resolve within several weeks following surgeryOnce the eye is immobilized, the flap is created. This process is achieved with a mechanical microkeratome using a metal blade, or a femtosecond laser microkeratome that creates a series of tiny closely arranged bubbles within the cornea instead of an actual cute.A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is then folded back, revealing the stroma, the middle section of the cornea. The second step of the Lasik procedure is to use an excimer laser to reshape the cornea. The laser vaporizes tissue in a finely controlled manner without damaging adjacent tissue.No burning with heat or actual cutting is required to reshape the tissue. Following Lasik surgery the patient is given a course of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops. These are not needed after a couple of weeks following the Lasik surgery. Lasik patients are also given a darkened pair of glasses to protect their eyes from bright lights and protective shields to prevent rubbing of the eyes when asleep. There is a large percentage of patints who have had a positive oucome with the Lasik procedure. A patient should make sure and talk to their doctor about all possiblr risks and benefits and then make an informed decision. |