LASIK (Laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis) is a refractive surgical procedure that results in rapid recovery of vision and has the capability to benefit patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism by reducing dependence on eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Who can undergo Lasik? 1. The person should be at least 18 years of age,there is no upper age limit.
2. Power should be stable for one year and should not have a significant increase in the prescribed power of spectacles in the past one year.
3. Myope 1 to 12 diopter,hypermetropia 1 to 6 diopters,astigmatism 1 to 4 diopters.
How is Lasik Laser Performed ? The Procedure involves creating a corneal flap by using a microkeratome. The flap is then positioned to one side of the corneal “bed” as the Excimer laser beam is applied.The laser ablation is completed and the flap is replaced. Once The flap is returned to preoperative position, the surgeon carefully checks and rechecks the flap to be certain it is secure and well-positioned.Lasik involves extensive computer analysis of the eye. Patient is then asked to come on the scheduled day for the laser treatment. Local anaesthetic eye drops are instilled in the eye to achieve a pain free procedure. The patient is now made to lie under the laser machine and asked to fix his gaze at a light. The data of the patient is fed into the computer memory of the laser. A special machine called the microkeratome is used to pick up a thin corneal flap of 100 to 120 microns. Laser is delivered to the cornea under this flap to correct the spectacle number. It takes 20 to 60 seconds to complete the laser delivery to one eye. The corneal flap is placed back in position where it holds strongly within two minutes due to its natural bonding properties. The entire procedure takes less than 10 minutes.
Can both eyes be done the same day ? Yes, in most of the cases. However one eye may be done at a time by choice.
Does the Procedure Hurt ? Your eye or eyes (if both are treated) will likely be blurry immediately after your LASIK surgery depending upon number of glass power.This is natural and expected.Vision starts improving as time passes and most of the patients awaken the next morning after LASIK surgery with much improved vision. Your vision should also improve over the first two to three weeks following surgery.
Will I be totally free from spectacles ? 95% of the people will be totally free from their spectacles. 5% will have mild variation from their zero targeted correction due to varying healing patterns in different individuals, but will have their dependency reduced on spectacles. With a little more lasering an attempt may be made after 6 months to correct these individuals further.
Are the results achieved from Lasik permanent ? The effects of lasik on the cornea are permanent. Sometimes, internal changes within an eye may come with age and these may have some effect on the overall visual status. For example, a high myopia may progress even after the age of 18 years, or a person may require reading glasses after the age of forty like any normal individual.
How long will I be on medications ? Generally speaking a patient is on eye drops for 3 to 6 weeks. This is dependant of the level of correction attempted and the individual healing response.
When can I return to work ? The results are often dramatic and very rapid, with most patients seeing well enough to drive a car without correction the very next day. However, the best post-operative visual acuity may not be obtained until 2 to 3 weeks, or in some cases, even a few months, after the procedure.
How safe is this procedure ? Lasik is a very safe procedure but like any other surgical procedure it can have some complications which are extremely rare if a proper screening check is done prior to the procedure. This includes measuring the corneal thickness with an ultrasound, mapping the corneal topography and a retina check. Nobody in our surgical experience has ever lost sight due to this procedure.
How would the eye behave after 10 to 20 years ? The medical community can only speak of the future by accessing the data from the surgeries performed within the last ten years. The data reveals a very positive healing response of the eye giving doctors no reason to be concerned about effects beyond ten years.