|
Laser Procedures
Laser in-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)
LASIK provides the same visual correction benifits as PRK but with quicker healing time. LASIK is a painless, 15 minute procedure in which the ophthalmologist restructures the cornea with the aid of a Excimer laser. This procedure is safe, effective, permanent and affordable.
The steps to this procedure, which does not involve hospitalization, are:
- The patient is given anesthesia in the form of eye drops.
- The eyelid is held open with a speculum.
- Using a microkeratome, the doctor carefully lifts a thin flap from the cornea.
- The inner tissue of the cornea (stroma) is reshaped using the Excimer laser.
- The flap is carefully placed back over the cornea where it bonds back to the cornea securely, without the need for stiches.
- The patient is discharged, the same day, shortly after the surgery.
- LASIK produces outstanding results with quick recovery and almost no discomfort. Unlike PRK vision should be reasonably good within two days. Over 95% of all laser vision procedures performed today are LASIK. In order to be a good candidate for LASIK, the cornea has to have sufficient thickness to allow for the flap in the cornea to be made.
Photo Refractive Keratectomy (PRK)
PRK is a surgical procedure that uses an Excimer laser to remove corneal tissue for the purpose of correcting refractive error. PRK takes place on the surface of the cornea.
The steps to this procedure, which does not involve hospitalization, are:
- The patient is given anesthesia in the form of eye drops.
- The eyelid is held open with a speculum.
- The central corneal epithelium (the outer layer of corneal cells) is removed.
- The surface of the cornea is reshaped using the Excimer laser.
- A bandage contact is placed over the cornea to encourage healing of the tissue.
- The patient is discharged, the same day, shortly after the surgery.
- PRK produces outstanding results, but there is a slight discomfort associated with it. Becuase the epithelium was removed a discomfort equivalent to a badly scratched eye or a corneal abrasion can cause irritation, watering of the eye, or the sensation of a particle in the eye. Following PRK, vision is hazy the first few days, but by one week, vision should be reasonably good and is often stabilized by six months.
Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK)
LASEK is a new laser vision procedure that was developed in efforts to take the advantages of LASIK while increasing the margin of saftey by eliminating the microkeratome.
The steps to this procedure, which does not involve hospitalization, are:
- The patient is given anesthesia in the form of eye drops.
- The eyelid is held open with a speculum.
- A flap of the surface epithelium is loosened with a diluted alcohol solution and moved aside.
- The inner tissue of the cornea (stroma) is reshaped using the Excimer laser.
- The flap is returned back to its original position.
- A bandage contact is placed over the cornea to encourage healing of the tissue.
- The patient is discharged, the same day, shortly after the surgery.
LASEK combines certain elements of both the PRK and LASIK procedures. Because the epithelium is not removed, LASEK may improve healing and reduce discomfort. And because the use of a microkeratome is eliminated from this procedure, the margin of safety is increased over LASIK.
|
