LASIK Surgery Procedure

(PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT BRAND NAMES OF THIS SAME SURGICAL TECHNIQUE)

In all probability it is the most favoured of laser eye surgery techniques,especially in the USA,Canada and the UK. The surgery works by using an excimer laser to alter the shape of the cornea at the front of the eye to enhance the vision.

The surgery is used to correct the whole range of refractive errors, including myopia (short sight), hyperopia (longsight), and astigmatism (non spherical curvature of cornea ).

To find more about refractive errors click here

The Procedure

Firstly a extremely thin flap of corneal tissue is removed using a microkeratome(see below)*

SOME SURGEONS USE A LASER TO CUT THIS FLAP BUT IT IS ESSENTIALLY THE SAME TECHNIQUE

This flap is NOT removed from the eye but simply positioned to one side allowing the eye surgeon to perform the next stage of the operation.

The corneal flap is lifted, and an excimer laser shapes the underlying cornea to the exact measurements which have been obtained at the pre op consultation.

The flap is gently returned to its original position and, within a short time period (15 mins),and without stitches natural forces hold the corneal flap in situ.

A bandage contact lens is fitted to protect the eye for the next 24 hours.

Within a matter of hours after the eye surgery, the surface of the cornea starts to heal growing over the cut edge of the flap creating a seal.

Complete healing following surgery normally takes one or two weeks.

(*A microkeratome is a precision surgical blade designed for creating the corneal flap . The normal human cornea varies is 0.5mm thick; the microkeratome creates a flap 0.1-0.2mm thick)

Animation of the procedure

Advantages of this technique of Laser Surgery

Instant improvements in vision.

Although both eyes can be treated on the same day this is not normally recommended as it is important to see how successful the first lasik surgery operation has been. find details of techniques other than lasik surgery here

If you have any questions or comments please submit them using the form below :