LASIK or “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis” is a type of eye surgery to correct vision problems. It is one of the best-known and most commonly performed refractive eye surgeries. LASIK can be a suitable option for you if you have vision problems but do not want or cannot opt for corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses. Let’s find out about this surgery in detail in this article.
LASIK, which stands for "laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is a refractive eye surgery that employs lasers to correct vision problems.
In eyes with normal vision, the cornea (the clear, dome-shaped front part of the eye) bends or refracts light correctly onto the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye) and creates clear vision. However, when someone suffers from a refractive error, their eye is unable to bend the light correctly, which results in blurred vision.
LASIK is refractive surgery. It corrects the refractive error by reshaping the cornea so that it is able to refract light as it should, and the eye forms a clear image. LASIK surgery employs a special type of cutting laser to change the shape of the cornea and improve vision.
LASIK surgery may be recommended for those who have the following vision problems:
Nearsightedness: Also called myopia, this is a refractive error due to which you can see objects that are close by clearly (nearsighted), but objects farther away appear blurred.
Farsightedness: Also called hyperopia, this is a refractive error that makes near vision blurry whereas objects far away usually appear clear (farsighted).
Astigmatism: This is also a refractive error in which an irregularly shaped cornea causes blurred vision of objects at any distance, near or far.
These are the steps involved in LASIK surgery.
Before the Procedure
- Your eye doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of LASIK surgery, your expectations, and any questions you may have. The doctor will also schedule a discussion of your medical and surgical history.
- You will need to undergo a comprehensive eye examination where the doctor will evaluate your vision and suitability for LASIK. As part of the examination, the doctor will look for signs of infection, inflammation, dry eyes, or high eye pressure. Your cornea will be measured and evaluated to decide which areas need reshaping and how much cornea needs to be removed.
- You should avoid using eye makeup, cream, perfumes, or lotions one day before and on the day of the procedure as these products can get into your eyes and increase the risk of infection.
- In the days leading up to surgery, the doctor may instruct you to clean your eyelashes regularly to remove debris and minimize your risk of infection.
- You need to completely stop wearing contact lenses and wear only glasses for at least a few weeks before the evaluation and surgery.
- You will need to arrange for someone to drive you to and from the place of surgery.
During the Procedure
- You will be made to lie on your back in a reclining chair and may be given medication to help you relax.
- Numbing drops are added to your eyes. A suction ring and eyelid speculum are placed on the eye to keep it in the proper spot and prevent blinking. Your vision will grow dim.
- The eye surgeon uses a laser to cut a small, hinged flap (corneal flap) in the cornea, and lifts and folds the flap back to access the part of the cornea to be reshaped.
- While asking you to focus and fix your eye on a point of light, the surgeon reshapes parts of the cornea using a programmed laser. A tiny bit of corneal tissue is removed with each pulse of the laser beam.
- After reshaping the cornea, the surgeon puts the corneal flap back in place. The flap begins reattaching immediately and usually heals without stitches.
- If LASIK surgery is required for both eyes, the procedure is generally conducted on the same day.
After the Procedure
- LASIK is an outpatient procedure so you can go home on the day of the surgery but someone else should drive you.
- You can expect to feel some itchiness, burning, and grittiness in your eyes after the surgery. Your eyes may be watery, your vision blurred, and you can also expect some sensitivity to light.
- You may be given pain medication and asked to wear an eye shield at night until the eye heals. It’s important that you avoid touching your eyes during the first week after the surgery.
- The doctor may also prescribe lubricating eye drops to manage dry eyes, antibiotic eye drops to prevent infection, and steroidal eye drops to reduce inflammation.
- A follow-up appointment will be scheduled one to two days after surgery where the doctor will check how your eye is healing and check for complications.
- You will be able to see after the surgery although your vision will not be clear. It takes about 2 to 3 months after the surgery for your eye to heal and your vision to stabilize.
The benefits or advantages of LASIK surgery include the following:
- Very little pain associated with the procedure.
- Immediate correction in vision by the day after LASIK.
- No requirement for bandages or stitches.
- Option of making adjustments years after the procedure to further correct vision if it changes with aging.
- Clearer vision with minimal dependence on eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Side effects and complications associated with LASIK surgery include:
- Dry eyes as LASIK surgery may cause a temporary decrease in tear production
- Increased light sensitivity
- Glare, double vision, or halos around bright lights
- Reduced night vision
- Tiny red or pink spots on the white of the eye (sclera)
- Undercorrections and requirement of another procedure within a year to remove more tissue
- Overcorrections
- Astigmatism caused by uneven tissue removal
- Problems with the corneal flap such as infection or excess tears
- Regression of the vision back to the original prescription
- Untreated infection leading to vision loss
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