LASIK Eye Surgery - Doccursor

What is LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) surgery is a popular and advanced surgical procedure used to fix refractive vision problems like nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. LASIK surgery aims to enhance vision by reshaping the cornea (clear front surface of the eye) so that light entering the eye is correctly focused onto the retina.

LASIK is generally an outpatient procedure. Also, both eyes can often be treated during the same session. It is conducted using topical anesthesia (eye drops), and the entire procedure usually takes 10 to 15 minutes per eye.

What Are The Types Of LASIK Eye Surgery?

There are several types of LASIK eye surgery, each with its own variations and techniques. The choice of LASIK procedure depends on various factors, such as the patient’s overall eye condition, corneal thickness, and the eye specialist’s expertise. Some of the common types of LASIK eye surgery include the following:

Traditional LASIK: This is the classic Lasik Laser Eye Surgery procedure where a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser forms a thin corneal flap, which is lifted to allow the laser to reshape the cornea. After the cornea is reshaped, the flap is repositioned.
Bladeless LASIK: Also known as “all-laser LASIK” or “blade-free lasik,” this procedure uses a femtosecond laser to create the thin corneal flap instead of a microkeratome. Then, an excimer laser is utilized to reshape the underlying corneal tissue to correct your vision. The flap is then repositioned to its original position. Bladeless LASIK offers more precision and customization during the flap creation.
Wavefront-Guided LASIK: This is an advanced type of LASIK eye treatment that employs wavefront technology to make a detailed map of the eye’s imperfections. The excimer laser is then used to apply the necessary corrections based on this map, providing more satisfactory visual outcomes, especially in low-light conditions.
Topography-Guided LASIK: Similar to wavefront-guided LASIK, this LASIK treatment type uses corneal topography to map the eye’s surface abnormalities. The excimer laser then makes customized adjustments to the cornea to enhance vision.
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): In this procedure, the corneal epithelium is removed completely instead of creating a flap. The excimer laser reshapes the exposed cornea directly.
LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis): LASEK is similar to PRK but involves lifting and preserving the corneal epithelium before using the laser. The epithelium is then repositioned after the cornea is reshaped. It is a better choice for patients who have thinner corneas.
Epi-LASIK: Epi-LASIK is a variation of LASEK where a mechanical separator called an epi keratome creates a thin epithelial sheet instead of alcohol or a blade.
Laser Blended Vision (LBV): This laser procedure is best for presbyopic patients. Presbyopia is an age-related condition that affects near vision. In this procedure, one eye is corrected for distance vision, while the other eye is left slightly nearsighted. This monovision approach permits the brain to blend the images from both eyes, providing a broader range of clear vision from near to far.
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE): SMILE is the newest form of laser eye surgery. It is a minimally invasive laser vision correction procedure that does not form a corneal flap. Instead, a femtosecond laser makes a small lenticule inside the cornea, which is then extracted through a small incision to reshape the cornea and improve vision.
ReLEx SMILE: ReLEx SMILE is an advanced version of SMILE that offers better precision and minimal disruption to the cornea during the procedure.

Each type of LASIK eye surgery has its benefits and suitability for specific patients. The choice of method will depend on the patient’s eye condition, corneal thickness, refractive error, and other factors. A professional and experienced ophthalmologist or refractive surgeon will assess the patient’s eyes and suggest the most appropriate type of LASIK Eye surgery to attain the best visual outcomes.

What Conditions Does LASIK Treat?

LASIK is primarily used to correct certain refractive vision problems resulting from light not properly concentrating on the retina. These conditions include:

Nearsightedness (Myopia): Myopia occurs when the eye is too long or the cornea is overly curved, causing light to concentrate in front of the retina instead of directly on it. As a result, distant objects seem blurry, while close-up objects are seen more clearly.
Farsightedness (Hyperopia): Hyperopia is the opposite of myopia. It occurs when the eye is too short or the cornea is too flat, causing light to concentrate behind the retina. People with hyperopia usually have better distance vision but may struggle with close-up tasks.
Astigmatism: Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens has an irregular shape, causing blurred or distorted vision at all distances. It can also be present alongside myopia or hyperopia.

What Are The Diagnostic Tests Performed For LASIK Eye Surgery?

Before undergoing LASIK eye surgery, multiple diagnostic tests are performed to know the suitability of the procedure and to collect important information about the patient’s eyes. These diagnostic tests help the ophthalmologist evaluate the health of the eyes, assess refractive errors, and customize the LASIK treatment plan. To optimize the outcome and reduce the risks and complications linked with LASIK surgery, the doctor may perform the following tests before the procedure:

Comprehensive Eye Examination: A detailed eye examination is conducted to assess the eyes’ overall health. This examination includes checking for eye conditions, estimating the corneal thickness, and measuring intraocular pressure.
Refraction Test: A refraction test determines the exact refractive error (e.g., myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism). During this diagnostic test, the patient looks through a series of lenses to determine the lens combination that provides the clearest vision.
Corneal Topography: Corneal topography is a test that creates a detailed map of the cornea’s curvature. This test helps identify abnormalities in the corneal surface, which are vital for determining the suitability of LASIK and planning the overall treatment.
Pupil Size Measurement: In this test, the size of the pupils is estimated in both dim and bright lighting conditions. Pupil size is important for proper treatment planning and to minimize the risk of night vision problems post-surgery.
Tear Film Evaluation: The quality and quantity of tears are also evaluated to make sure the eyes have adequate lubrication for healing and comfort after LASIK treatment.
Corneal Thickness Measurement (Pachymetry): Pachymetry is conducted to measure the corneal thickness. Sufficient corneal thickness is crucial for creating the LASIK flap and performing lasik laser eye surgery.
Wavefront Analysis: Wavefront technology evaluates subtle optical defects in the eye. This information is used to create a personalized LASIK treatment plan for higher-order eye abnormalities, enhancing the quality of vision.
Dilated Fundus Examination: The ophthalmologist may dilate the pupils to examine the retina and optic nerve for any signs of eye conditions.
Contrast Sensitivity Testing: Contrast sensitivity tests may be performed to better understand the patient’s functional vision.
Pentacam HR: The Pentacam HR delivers a 3-D image of the anterior part of the eye using a high-resolution rotating camera. This helps accurately measure the center and the pre-surgical thickness of the cornea, which is essential for planning for LASIK, and for providing great vision post-operatively. The Pentacam HR provides the most precise corneal thickness measurements. It also estimates changes in both the front and the back surface of the cornea, thereby providing crucial information about the health of the eye before surgery.

Based on the results of these diagnostic tests and the ophthalmologist’s evaluation, the LASIK surgeon can determine whether the patient is fit for the procedure, select the appropriate type of LASIK (e.g., traditional LASIK, bladeless LASIK, wavefront-guided LASIK), and customize the treatment plan to achieve the best possible visual outcomes.