Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis
LASIK is a type of laser surgery that aims to correct certain refractive states such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.
What Is Lasik Surgery?
If you are normally required to wear spectacles to correct for any of these the surgeon will attempt to reshape your cornea (clear part of your eye) so that you do not need to. LASIK corrects refractive errors, which cause blurry vision, by improving how light focuses on the retina.
What Is The Procedure?
The surgery entails making a fine incision on the front of the eye using a tool called a microkeratome or a laser. This is used to create a flap.
The flap (epithelial layer of the cornea) is then lifted.
The surgeon will then use a laser to ablate (remove) tissue from the central layer (stroma) of the cornea. How much tissue is ablated depends on your type if prescription.
The surgery can be performed in one day and antibiotic drops will normally be prescribed post-surgery to reduce the risk of infection.
Discomfort after surgery is usually minimal, and vision usually recovers in 1–2 days. Recovery time is generally 1–4 weeks.
What Are The Benefits?
- Improved vision: Most people who have LASIK achieve 20/40 vision or better, and more than 90% achieve 20/20 vision.
- Permanent results: LASIK corrects the curvature of your cornea, so you won’t need to update your prescription like you would with glasses or contacts.
- Quick recovery: Many patients see clearly immediately after surgery, and most fully recover within a few days.
- Convenience: You won’t have to worry about breaking your glasses or forgetting your contacts.
- Freedom to participate in activities: You can swim, play sports, and enjoy water sports without needing corrective lenses.
- Personal style: You won’t need to worry about how you look in glasses.
- Long-term cost savings: You won’t need to pay for ongoing maintenance and prescription changes.
Any laser surgery does not guarantee that the need for spectacles will be removed. If you are considering undergoing laser surgery, pleas consult your optometrist for further information.
Who Can Get LASIK?
Not everyone is eligible for LASIK, and it’s typically not covered by insurance. To be eligible, you must meet certain requirements, including:
- Being at least 18 years old, ideally over 21
- Having a stable prescription
- Having healthy, thick corneas
- Having good overall eye health
- Having realistic expectations about what LASIK can do
This is not an option for people with moderate to severe myopia o patients with certain conditions such as keratoconus. LASIK is only performed on adults whose spectacle prescription has remained stable over a period of time.