Lasik Eye Surgery Procedure
Lasik eye surgery procedure can seem a bit scary sometimes when explained in a clinical sense. However, the procedure itself is actually quite fast and the improvement in your vision is almost immediate. And with Lasik surgery, there’s very little discomfort afterwards.
The procedure is both different, and an improvement over, previous laser surgery methods and certainly an improvement from Radial Keratotomy (RK), one of the earliest corrective ocular surgery methods.
With Lasik, the surgeon creates a flap from the upper corneal layer. The surgeon then removes a predetermined amount of corneal tissue with a laser. The flap is then lowered back into place without the use of sutures.
Preparation for Lasik eye surgery procedure
We start off with giving you an oral medication to help you relax. Then we put drops in your eyes including antibiotics, anesthetic and anti-inflammatory. Your eyelids are then covered and fastened open. The eye not being operated on is covered with a patch to protect it.
The surgeon then cuts the flap with a microkeratome.
A suction ring is then placed on the cornea. The suction ring is then turned on and you may feel a little pressure and your vision may go dim or black. Not to worry. It’s all part of the process.
Next, we create the flap…
The microkeratome is then used to make the first pass around the cornea, cutting almost all the way around the cornea. This leaves a small “hinge.” The microkeratome is then reversed until it’s made it’s way back around the cornea.
The suction can then be turned off. The suction ring and the microkeratome are then removed from the eye. The surgeon then gently folds back the flap and inspects the flap and the eye.
Using the laser…
Now, you will be asked to focus your attention on the red laser light. The actual laser ablation then begins.
The only sounds you will hear is a little suction sound and a clicking noise. The ablation of the corneal tissue only takes from 30-60 seconds.
When the ablation is finished, the doctor gently places the flap back in place and the operation is done. No sutures are needed to hold the flap in place because of the pressure within the cornea.
The following video by National Public Radio Science Friday may help you understand the Lasik eye surgery procedure. The procedure shown is not exactly the same as our procedure but it is similar and will help you understand more about Lasik eye surgery. Learn about the Lasik eye surgery recovery process.