Description

LASIK & REFRACTIVE SURGERY What is Lasik ? LASIK, an acronym for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, is a form of refractive laser eye surgery performed by ophthalmologists intended to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The procedure is usually a preferred alternative to photorefractive keratectomy, PRK, because it requires less time for full recovery and is generally less painful. Many patients choose LASIK as an alternative to wearing corrective glasses or contact lenses. Lasik Recovery: Every LASIK surgeons has established their own LASIK recovery protocol based on what has given them the best results. Your doctor will likely give you protective sunglasses or eye shields to protect your eyes, and you will be required to wear those eye shields while sleeping for the first week following your procedure. While some LASIK doctors will want you to rest for short time after your surgery before releasing you to go home, others will release you immediately after your surgery so you may go home and start you LASIK recovery as soon as possible. It may take 1-2 days to recover after LASIK eye surgery and patients can return to work 2 days after LASIK procedure. Operative procedure: 1) Flap creation - A soft corneal suction ring is applied to the eye, holding the eye in place. This step in the procedure can sometimes cause small blood vessels to burst, resulting in bleeding or subconjunctival hemorrhage into the white (sclera) of the eye, a harmless side effect that resolves within several weeks. Increased suction causes a transient dimming of vision in the treated eye. Once the eye is immobilized, a flap is created by cutting through the corneal epithelium and Bowman's layer. This process is achieved with a mechanical microkeratome using a metal blade, or a femtosecond laser that creates a series of tiny closely arranged bubbles within the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back, revealing the stroma, the middle section of the cornea. The process of lifting and folding back the flap can sometimes be uncomfortable. 2) Laser remodelling - The second step of the procedure uses an excimer laser (193 nm) to remodel the corneal stroma. The laser vaporizes the tissue in a finely controlled manner without damaging the adjacent stroma. No burning with heat or actual cutting is required to ablate the tissue. The layers of tissue removed are tens of micrometres thick. 3) Repositioning of the flap After the laser has reshaped the stromal layer, the LASIK flap is carefully repositioned over the treatment area by the surgeon and checked for the presence of air bubbles, debris, and proper fit on the eye. The flap remains in position by natural adhesion until healing is completed. Postoperative care: Patients are usually given a course of antibiotic, anti-inflammatory eye drops along with preservative free tear substitute. These are continued in the weeks following surgery. Patients are told to rest and are given dark eyeglasses to protect their eyes from bright lights and occasionally protective goggles to prevent rubbing of the eyes when asleep and to reduce dry eyes. They also are required to moisturize the eyes with preservative-free tear substitutes eye drops and follow directions for prescription drops. After the procedure a bandage contact lens is placed to aid the healing, and typically removed next day. Patients should be adequately informed by their surgeons of the importance of proper post-operative care to minimize the risk of complications.