People often opt for laser eye surgery when their eyes suffer from certain eye disorders including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or even presbyopia (need for reading glasses).
LASIK and PRK are both types of laser vision correction or refractive surgery that are designed to reshape the cornea with advanced laser technology. The cornea is the dome-shaped area of clear tissue vaulting over the iris (colored part of the eye) at the very front of the eye. The cornea focuses the light that enters the eye so you can see clearly.
During the LASIK procedure, a doctor uses precise laser energy to cut a thin flap on the front of the cornea. This flap is gently pulled back and then another laser is used to reshape the tissue underneath the flap. The lasers eye surgeon then replaces the flap to complete the surgery.
The entire procedure only takes about 10–15 minutes and is usually painless. You may notice improvements in your vision immediately after the surgery as you are taken to post-op and discharged. Patients may experience some discomfort or mild burning sensation in the eyes as the numbing drops wear off but this usually subsides within a few hours.
The LASIK procedure typically involves the following steps:
- Anesthetic drops are applied to the eye to numb it.
- A device called a femtosecond laser is used to create a thin, hinged flap in the cornea.
- The flap is lifted to expose the underlying corneal tissue.
- An excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea by removing microscopic amounts
of tissue. - The flap is repositioned and allowed to heal naturally without the need for
stitches.
LASIK is a safe and effective procedure, with a high success rate in correcting refractive errors and improving vision. However, as with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications associated with LASIK. These are very rare but can include:
- Dry eyes
- Glare, halos, or double vision
- Undercorrection or overcorrection of refractive error
- Infection or inflammation
- Loss of vision
It is important to consult with a qualified ophthalmologist to determine if LASIK is the right option for you.
As with any procedure, experience matters, Drs. Olkowski and Hirabayashi have performed thousands of LASIK surgeries with many very happy patients.
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