LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a safe, reliable and painless way to improve vision and reduce or eliminate the need to wear glasses or contact lenses. LASIK changes the way light is bent, or refracted, as it passes through the cornea so that it focuses properly on the retina and objects can be seen clearly.
During the procedure, lasers are used to create a precision-cut of the corneal flap. Patients are given anesthesia so they can't feel the instruments. The flap is then lifted and an excimer laser beam reshapes the cornea's curvature to improve vision. The flap is then closed and covered with a protective contact lens.
The entire procedure takes only 15-30 minutes per eye, and patients are often ready to leave within an hour or two. The flap heals on its own within a few days with no need for stitches.
A common complaint after surgery is sensitivity to light, but this will subside. Antibiotic eye drops will be prescribed for a few days, along with any other post-operative instructions. Full recovery takes a few weeks.
iLASIK by AMO
iLASIK is the most advanced and safest platform of LASIK currently available. iLASIK incorporates several of the newest advancements into one stream-lined procedure. You can learn more about iLASIK here.
The standard iLASIK procedure is a 3-step procedure:
- A flap is created on the surface of the cornea.
- A computer-controlled excimer laser is then used to remove the proper amount of corneal tissue. In less than one minute, the excimer laser reshapes the internal layers of the cornea.
- The thin flap of corneal tissue is then folded back into its original position, where it bonds after only a few minutes of drying.
iLASIK takes the original LASIK surgery and upgrades it to make it even more safe and effective by adding custom treatment with wavefront mapping and IntraLase™.
For additional info on Intralase LASIK www.intralasefacts.com
Blade-Free IntraLase™
The IntraLase™ FS laser is a highly precise tool aiding in corneal flap creation, the first step in laser vision correction surgery. During the procedure, the IntraLase laser fires 15,000 pulses per second into the cornea, where the flap can be created at a depth and diameter determined by the surgeon as appropriate for each individual patient. In addition to benefiting from this pinpoint (2-3 micron) accuracy, patients who undergo surgery conducted with the IntraLase laser are less likely to need an enhancement (follow-up) procedure than with other technologies.
Click here to contact us for more information on the LASIK procedure »
