Lasik involves raising a very thin corneal flap with the help of a special automated and very precise blade. After this the excimer laser treated is applied to the rest of corneal surface to change its shape and thus correct the refractive error. The parameters used for conventional Lasik are based on the refractive error of the patient. The raised flap is then positioned back, where it sticks without the need of any suture.
The person must be 18 years or older with a stable power. A contact lens user must discontinue the use of contact lenses at least 2 weeks before the procedure. A detailed eye check-up is done to look for suitability for the procedure. Before the laser is done the eyes are checked with special machines to determine the exact power. The corneal mapping is done and corneal thickness is measured. In patients with high minus power a special retiona, which may need to be treated before the LASIK is performed. The LASIK laser is performed only after ruling out any contraindication and suitability of the procedure.
In case the patients is not suitable for LASIK due to thin cornea, other options like phakie lenses ICL, clear lens extration with Multifocal IOL, PRK etc. may be considered after detailed checkup.
LASIK is one of the safest procedures performed over all over the world. The safety profile of LASIK procedure is very high. The LASIK machine is mostly automated and operated by highly skilled refractive surgeons thus increasing the success rates.
NO. There is no pain during or after the procedure. The patient may feel some pressure over the eye which lasts for a few seconds.
The refractive errors may be treated by either of the following ways:
Glasses: This is the simplest and most popular way of correcting refractive errors.
Contact lens: This option is cosmetically much better. However, it requires though maintenance and cleaning of the contact lenses, and regular eye checkups. There is also a sight risk of allergy and infection to the eye, if the contact lenses are not cleaned properly.
Refractive laser surgeries: Get rid of the need for glasses and are increasingly becoming popular with the advent of safer and more predictable laser treatments.
In younger persons, the lens has the capacity to increase its power to focus for nearer objects (accommodation). Presbyopia is a part of normal aging process, where the lens progressively loses this capacity of accommodation. The distance vision may be normal, but the near vision becomes blurred with age greater than about 40-45 years. This is correct by wearing reading glasses (plus) for the near work. One must remember that refractive laser surgeries only correct the refractive error (myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism), but do not correct the presbyopia.
A special form of laser (Excimer Laser) is used to correct the refractive error by changing the shape and thus the power of the cornea. It is a very precise laser and can change the shape of the cornea with an accuracy of more than a thousand of a millimetre. The sophisticated laser machine automatically delivers the required laser treatment based refractive error of the patient.
The most common options available are:
PRK : It is being used less commonly now days.
LASIK: This is most popular form of laser treatments.
LASEK (or EPI-LASIK) : This newer form of treatment may be suitable in some selected patients with very high power.