Understanding LASIK Eye Surgery

Laser-assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, more commonly known as LASIK, is an elective surgical procedure used to correct vision problems like myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea. The cornea is the clear, curved part of the eye in front of the pupil and iris. If the cornea is too steep or too flat, light going through the eye does not refract correctly and vision abnormalities occur.

Before your LASIK eye surgery, your LASIK surgeon will perform a number of vision and eye tests and measurements to ensure that you are a candidate for the procedure. He or she will also take a medical history from you to look for any other medical reasons that would prohibit you from being a good candidate. If you wear contacts, you'll be asked to be out of them for an amount of time before the surgery to ensure your most accurate visual result. Your doctor will tell you exactly how long depending on the type of contacts your wear, how long you've been wearing them, and a number of other factors.

The LASIK Procedure

LASIK is performed identically in all of our locations—Denver and Indianapolis. Having LASIK involves three steps - creating the flap, using the laser to reshape the cornea, and repositioning the flap.

Step 1 - At the 20/20 Institute, our preferred method of creating the flap for LASIK vision correction procedures is to use a femtosecond laser called the Ziemer LDV laser. Studies show that flaps created with a laser, rather than a blade called a microkeratome, are smoother and more uniform and have fewer flap complications leading to better visual results. Once the flap is created, it is moved aside to expose the central part of the cornea, called the stroma.

Step 2 - Our Wavelight Allegretto Wave Eye-Q excimer laser system uses another cool laser beam to gently and quickly reshape the cornea underneath the flap to create better vision for you. All of your information from your pre-operative evaluation is given into the laser's computer to provide a totally custom treatment you. This high-tech system also uses an eye tracker to ensure that the laser is in the optimal position for the entire treatment. If the eye moves too far out of position the laser will stop and wait until the eye is in position again.

Step 3 - Your surgeon repositions the flap in its original position, and it re-adheres naturally without the need for stitches. The entire procedure typically takes less than 10 minutes per eye.

To learn more about LASIK eye surgery at the 20/20 Institute, please call or email us today to schedule a complimentary LASIK evaluation. 1-800-204-1989