LASIK Surgery: A Brief Guide
LASIK is the most common eye surgery for the treatment of myopia (myopia), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.
The term “LASIK” is and stands for “laser-assisted in situ keratomileuses.” Like other types of eye surgery, LASIK reshapes the cornea, allowing the light entering into your eye is correctly focused on the retina for clearer vision.
The results of LASIK surgery is improved vision without glasses or contact lenses – begins immediately after surgery and vision usually improved and stabilized over several days.
Schedule an appointment with the LASIK surgeon in Orange County to determine which vision correction surgery is right for you.
How is LASIK performed?
LASIK Eye Surgery: Step by step guide
First, your LASIK surgeon in Orange County will use a small surgical tool called a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser to form a thin superficial flap on the cornea.
The surgeon then folds the flaps back into the underlying cornea (called the matrix) and using as an excimer laser, remove some of the corneal tissue.
The excimer laser produces a cold ultraviolet light beam to remove a small amount of tissue from the side of the cornea to reshape it so that light entering the eye can be more accurately focused on the retina, thereby improving vision.
For people with myopia, the goal is to flatten the cornea. Those with farsightedness, a steeper cornea is needed. The laser can correct astigmatism by smoothing the irregular cornea into a more normal shape.
After laser ablation, the cornea is shaped, and the flap is placed back in place to cover the area where the corneal tissue is removed. During healing after surgery, the flap is sealed on the underlying cornea.
LASIK eye surgery requires only topical anesthetic drops and does not require bandages or sutures.
Before LASIK surgery
Your LASIK surgeon in Orange County will perform a thorough eye exam to ensure your eyes are healthy enough for surgery. The surgeon will check the shape and thickness of your cornea and your pupil size ametropia.
The tear film on the surface of your eyes also will be evaluated, and a precautionary treatment may be recommended to reduce your risk of developing dry eyes after LASIK.
Typically, an automated instrument called a corneal topographer is used to measure the curvature of the anterior surface of the eye and create a “graph” of the cornea.
Stop wearing contact lenses at the doctor’s advice (usually about two weeks) before the eye surgery and before the LASIK procedure. This is because wearing a contact lens temporarily changes the natural shape of the cornea.
What happens during LASIK surgery?
Before starting LASIK, apply eye drops to numb your eyes to prevent any discomfort during the procedure. Your doctor may also give you some medicine to help you relax.
Your eyes will be under the laser and your doctor will use an instrument called a “peep speculum” to keep your eyelids open.
The surgeon marks the cornea with an ink marker before creating the flap. Then he installs a suction cup on the front of your eye to prevent the eye from moving or losing contact, which may affect the quality of the flap.
Once the flap is created, the surgeon uses a computer to adjust the excimer laser for your specific prescription.
When the laser sends light through the cornea, the light needs to be targeted on point. The surgeon looks at the eye through the microscope.
Although you may feel a bit pressure on your eyes, the laser pulse will painlessly reshape the cornea. You will also hear a steady click when the laser is running.
LASIK is performed on each eye separately, and each process takes only about five minutes.
What happens immediately after your LASIK surgery in Orange County
After a brief post-operative examination, someone can drive you home. (You can drive after LASIK until your ophthalmologist sees you the next day and confirms that your uncorrected vision meets the legal standards for driving.)
Your vision will be blurred immediately after surgery. However, by the next morning, clarity should increase.
Vision will stabilize and improve over a few days, although in rare cases it may take weeks or more. For most people, vision will increase immediately. You may be able to go to work the next day, but some doctors recommend that you take at least one day off.
Long-term results
Laser eye surgery has many benefits that can significantly improve the quality of your life.
Most people achieve 20/20 vision or better vision after surgery, but LASIK results vary.
After laser vision correction, you may still need to wear glasses or contact lenses, although your prescription level will usually be much lower than before.
If you are sensitive to sunlight after LASIK, glasses with photochromic lenses can reduce photophobia and make your vision clearer and more comfortable.
A few months after the initial LASIK procedure, a small percentage of people will need LASIK enhancement or “repair” systems to achieve an acceptable vision.
Despite the high success rate of LASIK, it is essential to discuss any problems you may have with an ophthalmologist or surgeon before agreeing to the procedure.
