What is LASIK?
LASIK is a surgical procedure to improve eyesight. LASIK is an acronym and stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. The system works by permanently altering the shape of your cornea.
LASIK surgery was an accidental innovation, emerging after researchers developed a new kind of laser in the 1980s. They discovered that the laser could alter the tissues of animal subjects without causing damage to surrounding tissue.
Soon after, researchers applied the technology to ocular surgery. The non-tissue-harming properties of these specific lasers make them ideally suited for corneal surgery.
What’s it like to have LASIK surgery?
The first step in getting LASIK surgery is a thorough evaluation by Dr. Sanderson.
Upon arrival to the Hospital, you may receive medication to promote relaxation. A special reclining chair facilitates the proper position during the procedure, which can take as little as 30 minutes. Dr. Sanderson places numbing eyedrops in your eyes before cleaning the area and positions a lid speculum to keep your eyelids open during the surgery.
A special device creates suction in the area of the cornea to reduce eye movement and create the proper level of pressure. Next, a femtosecond laser creates a thin flap in your cornea, allowing access to a deeper portion of your cornea.
Dr. Sanderson then directs an excimer laser at the newly exposed inner layer of the cornea. Pulses of ultraviolet light remove a tiny portion of cells, reshaping the cornea and correcting the abnormalities that cause nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
What are the aftercare instructions for LASIK surgery?
Eye tissue heals faster than most other tissue types, but expect a short period post-surgery where your eyes may feel odd or uncomfortable. Here are some common sensations that follow LASIK surgery:
- Itching
- Burning
- Watering
- General discomfort
- Sensitivity to light
- Halos or starbursts in vision
- Hazy or blurred vision
- Feeling as if something is in the eye
You might feel compelled to rub your eyes, but it's essential to refrain from touching the area. The flap created during surgery needs time to heal, and rubbing can dislodge that flap and damage the cornea.
To learn more about LASIK, call Sanderson Eye Clinic today.
