LASIK Project

Lasik eye surgery is done to correct the vision of patients so they do not have to wear corrective glasses or contacts. This is a surgery preformed by an ophthalmologists using a laser. There are many surgery procedures to chose from, to help correct any ones corrective eye issues, with great success.

Refractive surgery is the general term for changing a patients’s optical measurements by operating. These surgeries where originally started in other countries before coming to the United States. The first approval within the United States, was June of 1989.

Lasik eye surgery has improved greatly over the years. The flap of the cornea that is pulled back to exposed the corneal bed, which is then cut with laser and altered, leaving most of the bed not altered, was how the first surgeries were done. Doctors found that leaving most of the corneal bed unaltered provided long-term stable results of the correction.

Lasik is similar to a procedure called photorefractive keratectomy, PRK, where the cornea is cut into a flap that exposes the corneal. Combining PRK with laser is called Lasik. This procedure is a lot faster and less painful then just PRK. Lasers have dramatically improved the reliability of eye surgery and are constantly improving.

The patient satisfaction of this surgery has been found to be between 92 to 98 percent, according to recent surveys. One of the factors of laser, is the safety and efficacy of the surgery. Some patients do have a unrealistic expectations of this procedure, which might alter the survey. And 12 to 18 percent of treated eyes do need re treatment. Age of the patient and the initial corrections preformed play a role in this percentage.

The most common complaint after surgery is the dryness of the eyes. If this condition is present after six months post surgery, it may become a permanent condition. Other less common complaints are over or under correction, sensitivity to sun, halos, light sensitivity, ghost images or double vision, to mention just a few.

Patients in their 40’s and 50’s considering this surgery might want to also consider implantable lenses. The new advances in corrective surgery gives the consumer many choices. The doctor can help you chose the right one for the corrections you desire.

There are many different laser surgeries available. There is corneal onlays/inlays that blend with your eye’s surface, epi- intralase that uses a special cutting tool to remove the cornea’s outer layer, intralase “Blade less” Lasik uses a second laser, not a blade. These are a few of the different surgeries available today. The consumer needs to consult with their doctor which surgery is best for them.

Lasik surgery does change the dynamics of the corneal. This does make it difficult for your optometrist or ophthalmologist to get an accurate interocular pressure reading which is essential in glaucoma screening and treatment. As in any surgery, there are risks involved so you need to be aware and make a wise decision with your doctor so you can get rid of those glasses and contacts.