Information on Eye Laser Surgery
- Before having laser eye surgery, patients are often told not to wear contacts for several weeks. During pre-surgery meetings with an ophthalmologist, the patient will have his corneas examined to determine their shape and whether or not he has an astigmatism. Often, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic before surgery to help ensure that the patient doesn't develop an infection after surgery.
- The Lasik procedure has several major steps. First, the surgeon marks the places on the cornea that need to be operated on. The next step is to place a suction ring around the eye, holding the eyeball in place and the eyelids back from the eye.
Once the eye is prepped for surgery, the surgeon performs a keratectomy, lifting the thin layer at the top of the cornea using a tool called a microkeratome. The corneal flap (the outermost 20 percent of the cornea) is moved aside to reveal the stroma -- the middle portion of the cornea. This can be uncomfortable for some patients.
The stroma is the part of the eye that's then operated on. A laser is applied to the stroma (to the patient, this appears as a very bright white light) to correct and remodel the parts of the stroma that cause vision loss.
The corneal flap is then replaced, and immediately begins to adhere itself back onto the eye. The surgeon oversees this re-adhesion to ensure that the cornea doesn't contain any debris or air bubbles, and that it adheres properly. - During Lasik, the patient is awake and fully alert, unless the doctor prescribes a sedative. Sedatives, such as Valium, will help the patient to relax, and are a good option for patients who are anxious about the procedure. Numbing anesthetic eye drops are administered so that the patient can't feel anything in their eyes. If you are interested in laser eye surgery but you're nervous about the procedure, ask your doctor about taking a sedative to help you though the surgery.
- Lasik isn't right for everyone. Risks after surgery include dry eyes, enlarged pupils, problems with night vision and sensitivity to light, as well as infection. In very rare cases, patients have experienced decreased vision or lost their vision entirely as a result of Lasik eye surgery.
Ophthalmologists generally recommend that patients under the age of 21 and pregnant women don't undergo laser eye surgery, as their vision can fluctuate, and the results of the surgery may not last as their vision deteriorates. - Laser eye surgery has the potential to make people's lives easier and more comfortable. When completed effectively, laser eye surgery can often correct one's vision to a perfect 20/20, and often follow-up visits or repeat surgery aren't necessary. After laser eye surgery to correct vision, most people no longer depend on contact lenses or glasses.