Vision Correction with LASIK

Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a laser surgical procedure effective for correcting all ranges of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, except extremely high degrees. The most commonly performed vision correction procedure, LASIK is performed on nearly 1 million patients per year. LASIK combines corneal flap surgery with excimer laser reshaping for dramatic results and rapid visual recovery.

LASIK was first performed in the early 1990s in Greece, but the two main components of the surgery were performed separately long before then. South American surgeons began developing corrective procedures in the 1960s by removing a portion of corneal tissue, reshaping it, and then placing it back on the eye. Excimer laser correction has been done on the surface of eyes since 1987. Combining the advanced forms of both types of technology gives LASIK certain advantages for correcting vision.

For the procedure, the patient sits in a surgical chair which reclines into a horizontal position. A surgical assistant instills topical anesthetic drops to numb the eye for a painless correction. Assistants then carefully drape the patient's face around the eye to ensure a perfectly clean surrounding area for the surgery.

During LASIK surgery, a flap is created in the outer layers of the cornea, using either the IntraLase FS laser or a microsurgical instrument called a microkeratome. The flap is then lifted and pulled back so the excimer laser can treat only the middle layer of the cornea. Traditionally, the instrument used for creating a flap has been the microkeratome. It cuts and lifts a flap that is approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of the corneal thickness. This circular flap remains attached to the cornea by a small hinge of tissue. The hinge enables the flap to be lifted away from the central cornea. The excimer laser can then be used to reshape the exposed mid-layer of the cornea.

In recent years, the IntraLase Wavefront laser has become available to create a flap using multiple short pulses. These pulses are so close together they create an almost complete separation of the flap from the rest of the cornea, but they do not actually lift the flap. If the flap pattern is judged to be complete and satisfactory, a delicate separation of the flap is performed with a few gentle manipulations using a surgical instrument.

Wave front - Custom LASIK

The LASIK Procedure

After the LASIK Procedure

The Risks of LASIK

The Benefit of LASIK

According to the Eye Surgery Education Council (ESEC), more than 90 percent of patients who undergo LASIK experience vision improved to 20/40--the minimum vision standard for driving an automobile or playing sports without corrective eyewear. Fifty-six percent of patients report post-surgery 20/20 vision. Although LASIK will not prevent age-related eye conditions or diseases, results are permanent. Most patients return to their normal daily activities one day after surgery.

The results for Custom LASIK with wavefront technology are even more impressive. Custom LASIK postoperative results are more predictable and unprecedented, with over 20% of patients achieving 20/12.5 vision or better, over 70% of patients achieving 20/16 or better and, 98% of patients achieving 20/20 or better without lenses after surgery. This result has been referred to as "super vision" -- significantly better than 20/20. The incidence of postoperative complications such as glare, halos, and difficulties with night vision that occur for a small minority of LASIK patients can also be significantly reduced with wavefront technology.

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