A
Definitive Explanation Of LASIK Laser Eye Surgery
In
this Topic We Will Discuss:
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What
Does LASIK Stand For?
How Is The Procedure Performed?
How Does LASIK work?
How Long Does It Take? |
LASIK
or Laser In-situ Keratomileusis, means to shape the cornea
by use of an excimer laser. This is a very precise procedure
that is done by an Ophthalmologist with special training
in Laser Vision Correction procedures. LASIK can be used
to treat any number of vision problems. Most commonly,
LASIK is used to treat myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia
(farsightedness) and astigmatisms.
LASIK is performed by the use of an Excimer Laser, a device
developed by the well known computer research and development
corporation, IBM. The excimer laser produces gasses that
are stimulated by electricity, which then exert beams of
cool ultraviolet light, this is what is to be considered
the actual beam of the laser. The beam wears away and breaks
down the cornea, although this may sound painful or unconventional,
it is very safe and is done in an unimaginably precise fashion.
The excimer laser reshapes the cornea differently based
upon what visual impairment the patient is diagnosed with:
Myopia
- The laser straightens out, or decreases the curve
of the cornea, allowing light to focus properly on the
retina, where before the procedure, the focal point
was just short of the retina, causing blurred perception
of distant objects.
Hyperopia
- The laser will mold the cornea to increase the curve
of the cornea, correcting the focal point, where it
used to focus beyond the retina, it will now focus directly
onto the retina.
Astigmatism
- The cornea is misshaped and results in light entering
the eye and creating two focal points, the laser then
smoothes out the cornea ensuring that only one light
source enters the eye, and creating only one focal point.
Please
not that the above list of vision impairments is not an
all-inclusive list of visual impairments or cases that
are treatable by LASIK.
Before
any laser-work is done, the patient must undergo preoperative
exams, and once that is complete, the patient is ready
for surgery.
In the operating room, the patient is first given anesthetic
drops to numb the eye and prevent any pain, although the
eye is numbed during the procedure, the patient will still
feel slight discomfort.
Once the anesthetic is used, the eye is then cleaned and
prepped for surgery. The eyelids are separated and held
open using a tool called a lid speculum. Once the eyelids
are separated, the patient may be given something to hold
to prevent themselves from moving or trying to touch their
eye during the surgery, in most cases, when the patient
is given something to hold, it is generally a stuffed
animal.
The doctor will then use a device, called a microkeratome,
to remove the outermost 20% of the cornea as a flap to
expose the underlying portion of the cornea, the flap
is moved aside using a suction ring. This procedure is
called a keratectomy.
The patient is then told to focus on the laser, which
will then pulse for about 20 seconds, depending on the
intensity of the treatment, this time may decrease or
increase. After the laser is done reshaping the cornea,
the corneal flap is then placed over the eye, the lid
speculum is removed, and an eye-guard is placed over the
eye so that the same procedure can take place on the patient's
remaining eye.
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