What is LASIK?
LASIK, or laser in-situ keratomileusis, is the most widely performed laser eye surgery for treating a wide range of common vision errors. LASIK involves cutting a thin flap on the cornea and using the precise, concentrated energy of the excimer laser to reshape the corneal surface so it can focus the image better on the retina.
While the act of reshaping the cornea to improve vision has been around for half a century, LASIK is a relatively new technology (starting roughly in the mid 1990s) that is constantly improving.
Effective. Painless. Fast. Call the UF Laser Eye Center for more information about how LASIK eye surgery can work for you.
LASIK Procedure
LASIK surgery uses the precise energy of a laser beam to correct refractive errors on the cornea. Similar procedures include epi-LASIK and advanced surface ablation.
Surgical Step-by-Step Review
- First, anesthetic eye drops are administered to numb the eye for surgery.
- Then, a vacuum-like suction ring is applied to hold the eye steady.
- Using a microkeratome, a thin flap is cut from the surface of the cornea. This is called keratectomy.
The flap is lifted to expose underlying tissues.- A concentrated beam of energy called the excimer laser precisely reshapes the cornea based on pre-programmed information.
The surgeon replaces the flap to its original position. Then the surgeon observes the eye for several minutes to allow proper bonding to occur, eliminating the need for sutures.
Are You a Good Candidate for LASIK?
LASIK is the most commonly performed refractive procedure, but it's not for everyone. There are generally accepted medical criteria that make some patients better candidates than others, but ultimately the doctor will determine individual candidacy. Some questions doctors consider:
- Are you over 18 years of age?
- Are you farsighted, nearsighted or have astigmatism?
- Has your prescription for corrective eyewear remained the same for at least two years?
- Do you understand the benefits and potential risks of LASIK surgery?
- Do you have problems with dry eyes?
- Are you pregnant or nursing?
- Are you taking steroids or immunosuppressant medication?
- Do you suffer from autoimmune disorders?
- Have you had ocular herpes within the last year?
- Do you have any pre-existing eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma, corneal disease, or other conditions that threaten your vision?
- Do you have a thorough understanding about the procedure and realistic expectations about the outcome?
In addition, there is extensive pre-operative testing and evaluation that helps determine successful LASIK candidacy. Among other things, the doctor will:
- Take a medical history
- Determine the magnitude of visual error
- Screen for external and internal eye disease
- Map the shape of your cornea
- Measure your pupil size, the thickness of your cornea, intraocular pressure, etc.
- And more
All of this information is used by the physician to evaluate a patient's LASIK candidacy.