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The LASIK Procedure
LASIK
(Laser-In-Situ-Keratomileusis) is presently the most common type of Laser Vision
Correction procedure and is one of the most frequently performed healthcare
procedures in North America. It can
treat many levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
 | | VISX Star Excimer Laser |
The VISX Star Excimer Laser is used for the LASIK procedure.
This laser is computer controlled and your prescription is entered into
the computer where it is converted into the exact number of pulses needed for
your treatment. It measures the
treatment in 0.25 microns in a single pulse, which is less than the width of a
human hair. It treats only the area
the surgeon wants it to treat, so any tissue outside of the flap area is left
untouched. When the flap is put back
in place, it works as a bandage during the healing process.
 | Excimer Laser Etching on Human Hair
Courtesy of VISX |
On the day of your procedure, once you arrive at TLC’s Surgery Center you will go
through a series of tests prior to your surgery.
You will first go into a pre-test room to have your pupils measured, your
corneal thickness measured and maps of your cornea printed out.
If you have already had these tests done at the center they will be
re-done on your surgery day. You
will then go into an exam room where an Optometrist will double check your
prescription. Once the pre-testing
is complete you will meet with the surgeon.
He will discuss your options, what to expect during and after your
surgery, and will answer any questions you may have.
At this time you will be given a light sedative to help calm your nerves
and your eyes will be prepped for surgery. Anesthetic
eye drops will be administered to numb your eyes and you will then be led to the
laser suite for your surgery. You
will be in the suite approximately 10 minutes per eye.
There
are four steps in the LASIK procedure:
Step
1: Making A Protective Flap
Once
you are in the operating room you will lie in a reclining chair and be asked to
focus on a red blinking light above you. They
will tape your left eye shut and work on your right eye first.
A lid speculum is used to hold your eye open during the procedure so you
cannot blink. The surgeon will use
an automated device called the microkeratome to make the flap.
Step
2: Accessing And Preparing the
Treatment Area
Once
the flap is made the surgeon will lift it up and check to make sure it is
perfect. If the flap is perfect he
will proceed with the laser treatment.
Step
3: Reshaping With The Laser
The
laser is used anywhere between 15 to 90 seconds depending on your prescription.
During this time it is very important to focus on the red blinking light.
While you are focusing on the light, the surgeon is monitoring your
fixation through a microscope. He
controls the laser and can stop the treatment at anytime if you were to look
away. The laser is also on a
tracker. It will move with your eye
and will automatically shut off if you move too much.
Once the laser treatment is continued the computer will remember exactly
where it left off.
Step
4: Laying Back The Protective Flap
Once
the laser treatment is applied the surgeon will lay the flap back in place.
It will take about 2 minutes for him to smooth it out and make sure that
there are no wrinkles. The cornea
has its own suctioning mechanism, so, except for the surrounding areas, the flap
adheres within minutes. The
surrounding area is what you need to be careful with during the healing process.
Once
the procedure is complete you will be taken to a post-op room where you will
wait for about 20 minutes before being released to go home with all of your
instructions.
You
should plan on being at the center for approximately four hours.
You will need a driver as you will not being seeing well enough to drive
home with all of the drops administered and the medications you will be taking
prior to surgery.
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