LASIK

Lasik is the acronym for laser in situ keratomileusis and refers to the use of a laser to reshape the cornea without invading the adjacent cell layers. The basis for all laser eye surgery is to reshape the cornea so that it changes the focal point of the eye. Ideally, the focal point is changed so that it focuses perfectly on the retina, just like a normal eye.

Anesthetic drops will be applied to the eye to numb the eye and prevent pain during the procedure. A lid speculum is placed in the eye to hold the lids apart for the procedure, eliminating possibility of blinking. The cornea is marked with water-soluble ink to guide replacement of the flap. The suction ring is placed on the eye and the vision will go dark for about 20 seconds. A precise flap-making instrument, called a microkeratome is used to to create a thin flap of the corneal tissue. The surgeon raises the epithelium layer of the cornea to expose the portion beneath and is lifted and reflected to the side.

The computer-controlled excimer laser removes the tissue under the flap and reshapes the cornea of the affected eye. In less than 20 seconds, ultraviolet light and high-energy pulses from the excimer laser reshape the internal cornea (the stroma) with accuracy up to 0.25 microns, or 1/4000 of a millimeter. The flap is then put back into its original position. Because the cornea bonds quickly, healing is rapid, and the eye does not require stitches.

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