LASIK Procedure

The LASIK Procedure:

Lasik involves reshaping the surface of the eye, the cornea, to correct distance vision problems: myopia ( nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (irregular corneal shape).

There are 3 steps to Lasik:

• A flap is created with a laser to permit faster, more comfortable healing

• The “bed” under the flap is treated with the excimer laser to alter the corneal shape

• The flap is re-positioned back over the treatment bed

The steps:

1. Using the Ziemer or Intralase laser the corneal flap will be created. This procedure takes less than 30 seconds and is part of the "all-laser" or "bladeless" LASIK procedure.

2. A second excimer laser then reshapes the cornea by removing a thin layer of the cornea beneath the flap. The thickness removed is thinner than a human hair. The pattern of the cornea removed depends on the correction necessary.

3. The flap is placed back over the cornea. The treated area is completely covered with the flap. The flap sticks down and adheres within several minutes.
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Recovery

• Rest with your eyes mostly closed the first day

• Wear a protective shield (provided) when sleeping for two weeks

• Never rub your eyes for a month

• Medication drops for two weeks

• Lubricating drops for dry eyes as needed
  
  

Expectations

• Laser results in significant vision improvement without glasses

• Most patients do not need glasses or contact lenses after Lasik

• Patients over 40 will likely need reading glasses as LASIK does not reverse the aging process which reduces our ability to read without glasses.

• Re-treatments are occasionally necessary. Lasik can last a lifetime though the results may slowly regress as we age