Laser Vision Correction
Is a type of refractive surgery that combines the technology of Lamellar Keratoplasty with the Excimer Laser to reduce or eliminate dependency on glasses or contact lenses.
- What is Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomiliusis (LASIK)?
- Who is a candidate for LASIK?
- How is LASIK surgery performed?
- What are the side affects of this procedure?
- What are the risks of LASIK?
- What if I do not achieve full correction after my procedure?
- Does wearing contact lenses affect a person’s ability to have refractive surgery?
- When will I be able to return to work and my normal activities?
Answer:
LASIK is a type of refractive surgery that incorporates the technology of Lamellar Keratoplasty with the Excimer Laser to reduce or eliminate dependency on glasses or contact lenses. When an eye is nearsighted, the cornea has too steep of a curve. This means light rays do not focus properly on the back of the eye, so images look blurred. The goal of refractive surgery is to alter the shape of the cornea in order for light rays to normally focus on the back of the eye.
LASIK best benefits individuals with low to very high levels of nearsightedness. Although each individual case varies, a few determination factors for candidacy are:
- - Must be at least 18 years of age
- - Stable Vision
- - Healthy Eyes
- - Not Pregnant (or breast feeding for 6 months)
You must fully understand the benefits and limitations of refractive surgery. If you are content using glasses or contact lenses, refractive surgery may not be for you.
The eye is first anesthetized with drops. A thin layer of the cornea or corneal cap is then lifted with an instrument called a microkeratome. The Excimer Laser then uses ultraviolet light and high energy pulses to reshape the internal cornea. Finally, the corneal cap is then replaced
in its original position.
The most common side affects are sensitivity to light, fluctuation in vision, dry eyes and the sensation something is in the eye.
Because LASIK is an elective procedure, the decision to undergo surgery should be made with proper understanding of the benefits, alternatives and possible complications. The most common risks are over-correction or under-correction, in which case you may need glasses or contacts for useful vision in some cases. A risk with any procedure is infection. However, precautions are taken to minimize this risk.
Refractive surgery can rarely, if ever, produce vision completely free to all refractive imperfections, so at least a small degree of nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism usually remains after a procedure. Most people, however, are satisfied with normal vision unless they have unusually high demands for precise visual acuity. Vision of 20/40 or better without glasses or contacts is required to pass an Alabama driver’s license eye exam test. In some cases, for optimal correction, an additional procedure will be needed to enhance the first procedure, if the doctor feels it is appropriate.
Contact lenses distort the curvature of the cornea. Therefore, you will need to discontinue wearing your lenses prior to exam. This will allow your eyes to adjust and resume their natural shape so the evaluation will be accurate. Please let your coordinator know when scheduling your evaluation what type of contacts you wear so they can advise you on when to remove them for your exam. Contact lenses will also need to be removed the same length of time prior to surgery so that the measurements will be accurate.
Most patients are able to return to work after one to two days after the procedure. You may return to light exercise activities, such as walking or treadmill work-outs one to two days after the procedure. No swimming, strenuous exercise or sports activities for two weeks after the procedure.