LASIK Eye Surgery Procedure

LASIK Eye Surgery is a popular eye surgery because results can be seen the very next day in many patients and also the amount of pain felt afterwards is minimal. The surgery takes approximately 10 to 20 minutes per eye. The following is a quick overview of how the procedure works.

• A small cut (hinge-like flap of tissue) is cut from the front of the cornea using an instrument called a microkeratome.
• The flap is then moved out of the way to allow a laser to reshape the underlying collagen of the cornea.
• The reshaping is based on measurements made by the eye doctor during the presurgery-examination. Read more about the presurgery-examination here.
• After the surgery is complete the flap is moved back into place where after the cornea will heal.

It is because of the cornea’s ability to heal quickly that many people see results nearly immediately. LASIK can be beneficial to both nearsighted and farsighted individuals. In nearsighted people the cornea is considered too-steep so the goal is to flatten out the cornea. In farsighted people the opposite is true and a steeper cornea is desired. Below is a more detailed look at the LASIK Eye Surgery.

LASIK Eye Surgery Procedure In Detail

• When you arrive you may be given a mild sedative in order to help you relax (this is eye surgeon dependent).
• LASIK Eye Surgery will be performed while you are lying in a chair.
• The area around your eye will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
• Numbing eye drops will then be placed in your eyes to reduce the pain and discomfort during the surgery.
• An instrument called a lid speculum will be inserted into your eye in order to keep your eye open.
• Special ink will then be used to mark the area of your cornea that will be cut during the procedure.
• The eye surgeon will then place a ring-like suction device on the front of your eye. The device is used to hold your cornea in place during LASIK Eye Surgery. The ring may cause a sensation of pressure but no pain is felt.
• A small cut (hinge-like flap of tissue) is cut from the front of the cornea using an instrument called a microkeratome. Again you will not feel any pain from the instrument used.
• After the cut is completed the eye surgeon will remove the suction ring from your eye and fold back the cut flap of the cornea.
• The laser is then moved into position and prepared for the main part of the surgery.
• The eye surgeon will ask you to look into the light. Looking into the light fixes your position and helps you keep your eye still.
• Once your eye is steady the eye surgeon will use the laser to remove (vaporize) parts of the cornea.
• The laser is computer controlled in order to improve precision and steadiness and the cuts are based on the eye measurements taken in the presurgery-examination.
• When the laser treatment is complete, the eye surgeon will replace the flap of the cornea. No stitches are needed as the cornea will heal itself but the doctor may opt for an eye shield to protect the flap during its healing process.

Read more about the follow-up meetings here.
Read more about the potential complications here.