Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis

What is LASIK?

LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis) is a procedure for the correction of myopia (nearsightedness). You're awake during treatment, but your eye is numbed with drops. You feel no pain. You lie flat in a reclining chair. You will be instructed to look at a small, bright light. The light guides your eye to the microscope we use to view your eye. To reduce or eliminate your myopia with LASIK, a thin disc of the cornea's outer layer, the epithelium, is lifted from the eye.

Your refraction is entered into a computer, which calculates the depth and the pattern of tissue to be removed. While you look at a light to keep your eye focused, the laser delivers a programmed number of overlapping light pulses. Each pulse removes a microscopic layer of the cornea over the pupil. More pulses are directed at the center of the cornea to flatten the curve. Overlapping the pulses creates a smooth surface. When the center of the cornea is flattened, light rays are more focused on the retina and images are clearer. The laser treatment typically takes less than one minute. You'll probably be in and out of our office in about an hour and a half.

Once the laser treatment is completed, the thin layer of corneal tissue is lowered back into place where it will seal to the eye without the need for sutures.

What are the side effects?

• There is a very small risk of infection, which might scar the cornea and decrease vision.
• Vision could worsen or astigmatism (irregular curvature of the cornea) or farsightedness could develop.

Variable vision is also possible, but unlikely.

• Some people are more sensitive to glare or see halos around lights, but this is rarely troublesome.
• A second treatment could be needed if nearsightedness is not sufficiently corrected.
• LASIK works well for most people, but there is no guarantee that you'll have perfect vision or never need distance or reading glasses again.
• LASIK is more complicated than PRK but offers much faster recovery of vision.
• The procedure is painless, but you may have some discomfort for approximately two to four hours.

During LASIK, the cornea is flattened to help improve myopia. The procedure is a combination of the ALK and PRK procedures. The procedure takes less than half an hour. You can leave the office or surgical center in an hour or two.

How LASIK Reshapes Your Eye

LASIK flattens the curve of the cornea with a laser and another special instrument. This is how it's done:

First, a portion of the top section of your cornea in the center of your eye is lifted away. This flap of cornea remains attached on one side.	The corneal flap is folded back.
The laser removes some layers of the cornea.	The excimer laser delivers a programmed number of pulses of ultraviolet light. Each pulse removes a microscopic layer of the cornea over the pupil.
When the laser has reshaped the cornea, the corneal flap is put back into place. The eye holds the flap in place naturally as it heals, so stitches aren't necessary.	The corneal flap is put back into place.

The center of the cornea is now flattened. Light rays are focused more directly on the retina, and images are clearer.

What can I expect during my recovery and follow-up?

Your follow-up care begins right after your treatment. Dr. Shofner will check your eye frequently at first to make sure you are healing properly.

After treatment your eye needs time to heal. Your vision may be blurry at first, but it should start to clear in less than 24 hours. Dr. Shofner will monitor your recovery over the next few months. You can probably expect maximum improvement in your vision in about one month after LASIK.

To protect your cornea as it heals, you will wear an eye shield at night for one week. Your vision will clear as your cornea heals. You can help by using your eye drops as directed and by following a few simple instructions.

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