The Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) refractive eye surgery procedure can treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. It helps to reduce patient’s dependency on contact lenses and glasses. The Lasik procedure reshapes the front surface (cornea) of the eye to enable light entering the eye to focus on the retina without external help.

Procedure:

• The anesthetic drops are first instilled to cause numbing of the eye. This may give rise to a slight burning sensation as soon as the drops are instilled.
• An instrument known as the microkeratome is then used to raise a thin flap (120-140µ) of the cornea. The red light may transiently disappear during this process. Alternatively the latest technique for making the flap is using a femto second laser (INTRALASE) to make a highly precise and customized flap.
• The excimer laser then reshapes the cornea by removing a predetermined precise amount of tissue from the inner cornea. The flap is then repositioned back where it adheres immediately without the need for stitches or bandages.
• Visual recovery is full in 24-48 hours.

Results

• Refractive surgery often offers improved vision without the hassle of glasses or contact lenses. In general, you have a very good chance of achieving 20/25 vision or better after refractive surgery.
• More than 8 out of 10 people who’ve undergone refractive surgery no longer need to use their glasses or contact lenses for the majority of their activities.
• Many people have positive results and report high satisfaction after LASIK surgery.

Alternatives to LASIK

• It is important to know that not everyone can undergo the LASIK procedure. The concerned person’s eye must be of a certain curvature and thickness to permit the surgery as beyond permissible limits, the procedure may be harmful to your eye
• The nonsurgical options like glasses or contact lenses are always there.
• For thinner corneas, a blade-free procedure called EPILASIK or PRK ( Photo Refractive Keratectomy) can be performed. In this procedure only the uppermost layer of the cornea i.e. the epithelium is removed instead of making a flap. Since lesser tissue is involved, it may be a better option for thinner corneas.
• For corneas that are too thin or that have very high spectacle powers, a better option called ICL can be done. This is an Implantable Collamer Lens, similar to a thin contact lens of your eye power, but surgically inserted into your eye and it rests on the natural crystalline lens.