LASIK – Laser Eye Surgery for Vision Correction
LASIK is a laser-assisted eye surgery used to permanently correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The procedure is quick, nearly painless, and highly effective.
Things worth knowing about "Lasik"
LASIK is a laser-assisted eye surgery used to permanently correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The procedure is quick, nearly painless, and highly effective.
What is LASIK?
LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses laser technology to permanently correct refractive vision errors. Treatable conditions include nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. The goal of the procedure is to reduce or eliminate dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
How Does LASIK Work?
During LASIK, the cornea – the transparent front surface of the eye – is precisely reshaped using an excimer laser so that incoming light is focused accurately on the retina. The procedure involves three main steps:
- Step 1 – Creating the flap: A thin flap of corneal tissue is created using a microkeratome blade or a femtosecond laser and gently folded back.
- Step 2 – Laser reshaping: An excimer laser removes microscopic amounts of corneal tissue to alter the curvature of the cornea and correct the refractive error.
- Step 3 – Repositioning the flap: The corneal flap is carefully repositioned and adheres naturally without stitches.
The entire procedure typically takes only a few minutes per eye. Anesthetic eye drops are applied beforehand, making the surgery virtually painless.
Who is a Suitable Candidate?
Not everyone is automatically a candidate for LASIK. A thorough pre-operative eye examination is required. Common eligibility criteria include:
- Minimum age of 18 to 21 years
- Stable vision prescription for at least one to two years
- Sufficient corneal thickness
- No serious eye conditions (e.g., keratoconus, severe dry eye syndrome)
- Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
Patients with keratoconus (a progressive corneal disorder) or insufficient corneal thickness are generally not suitable for LASIK. Alternative procedures such as PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) or LASEK may be considered in these cases.
Treatable Refractive Errors
- Nearsightedness (Myopia): Up to approximately -10 diopters
- Farsightedness (Hyperopia): Up to approximately +4 diopters
- Astigmatism: Up to approximately 5 diopters
Risks and Side Effects
LASIK is one of the most commonly performed and safest refractive surgeries worldwide. However, as with any surgical procedure, side effects can occur:
- Temporary fluctuations in vision or increased light sensitivity
- Dry eyes (the most common side effect, usually temporary)
- Halos, glare, or starbursts around light sources, especially at night
- Under-correction or over-correction (rarely requiring an enhancement procedure)
- In very rare cases: infection or corneal complications
Serious complications are uncommon. The overall success rate of LASIK exceeds 95 percent when patients are carefully selected.
Procedure and Aftercare
Following the procedure, patients should follow specific aftercare instructions:
- Avoid rubbing the eyes in the days following surgery
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with the ophthalmologist
- Use prescribed eye drops consistently (e.g., antibiotics, artificial tears)
- Avoid swimming pools, saunas, and eye makeup for several weeks
Visual acuity typically improves significantly within the first day after surgery. Full stabilization of vision may take several weeks.
References
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO): LASIK – Laser Eye Surgery. aao.org (2023).
- Sandoval HP, Donnenfeld ED, Kohnen T et al.: Modern laser in situ keratomileusis outcomes. Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, 2016.
- Reinstein DZ, Archer TJ, Randleman JB: Mathematical model to compare the relative tensile strength of the cornea after PRK, LASIK, and small incision lenticule extraction. Journal of Refractive Surgery, 2013.
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