What is LASIK?LASIK is the abbreviation for Laser Assisted-in-Situ Keratomileusis. Lasik uses an excimer laser which sculpts and reshapes the cornea to correct refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. It is an out-patient procedure and does not require an overnight stay in a hospital. The two eyes can be done at the same procedure. Usually, the right eye is done first, followed by the left eye. The procedure takes about 10 minutes per eye and the patient is conscious throughout the entire procedure.
What conditions need to be filled before considering LASIK?
What are the steps in a LASIK procedure?
1) Eye drops are instilled to numb the eyes. This is a local anesthetic.
2) A epithelial flap is created on the cornea with a microkeratome and is lifted and gently folded out of the way.
3) An excimer laser is used to sculpt the underlying tissue. The emissions take about 20 seconds per eye.
4) The epithelial flap is then placed back on the eye with a kind of spatula.
5) The flap naturally re-attaches itself to the cornea. It does not require any stitches and the there is no feeling of pain.
What can I expect on surgery day?
You will arrive at the laser center about an hour prior to your procedure. Once you have been checked in you may be offered a sedative to help you relax. You will then be prepared for surgery. The area around your eyes will be cleaned and a sterile drape may be applied around your eye. Anesthetic eye drops will be used to numb your eyes; no injections or needles will be used. When your eye is completely numb, an eyelid holder will be placed between your eyelids to keep you from blinking during the procedure. Next, the epikeratome will be used to create a hinged epithelial sheet, which will be reflected onto a contact lens. During this process, you may feel a little pressure, but no pain. You will be asked to look directly at a target light while the laser reshapes your cornea. The excimer laser will be programmed with the information gathered in your pre-operative exam. The laser treatment will be completed in less than a minute or two, depending on the amount of correction needed. Then, the epithelial sheet will be replaced along with the contact lens.
What happens after LASIK surgery?After the procedure, the patient can immediately see without the aid of spectacles After the operation, it is recommended to have someone drive you home. The wearing of sunglasses is encouraged to minimize the effect of debris entering the eye and to alleviate any discomfort glare or blinding light. Usually, the sunglasses are worn for about 3-5 days after the procedure.
You may experience some discomfort for 12-24 hours, but this is usually alleviated with over-the -counter painkillers.
Some patients may experience sensitivity to light, and watering or swelling of their eyes for a few days following their procedure. Another possible after-effect, are the eyes being red and feeling uncomfortable and gritty. These symptoms are usually felt 1-6 hours after the procedure, and will settle down after 8-12 hours.
Every patient heals somewhat differently and the final result normally occurs in 3-6 months. It is important to follow your surgeon’s instructions exactly, because the quality of the final vision you achieve is affected by how well your corneas heal. Do not neglect to use the eye drops or other medications you are prescribed, and do not miss any follow-up appointments.
What are the benefits of LASIK?The procedure is for those who want to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses or contact lenses. It is a permanent solution, but can later be affected by eye diseases, poor visual hygiene, and presbyopia.
What are the risks and complications with LASIK?
When LASIK is performed by an experienced LASIK surgeon after a thorough consultation and a complete discussion of patient goals, LASIK Eye Surgery is one of the safest, most effective and predictable types of surgery one can have today. However, LASIK is surgery, and as with any type of surgery, there are risks and complications that patients should be aware of and fully understand before consenting to have LASIK for the correction of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism.
OVERVIEW OF RISKS, COMPLICATIONS, AND SIDE EFFECTS
For a complete understanding of the risks, complications, and side effects of LASIK surgery, it is best to fully discuss your individual situation with a LASIK surgeon or their staff.
Are there risks involved with the LASIK procedure?
All surgical procedures, LASIK included, involve risks. Current statistics show that in experienced hands, LASIK has a relatively low major complication rate of less than 2%. Under or over-correction of refractive power can occur despite the surgeon’s best effort. This is due to individual variation in the healing process and in tissue density. If significant under- or over-correction has occurred, a second “enhancement” treatment can be considered. This treatment is usually advised to be done only after the refractive status has stabilized. This could be anytime from three weeks to 3 months after the initial procedure.
What are the side effects after the procedure?
After the procedure, the patient may experience certain side effects, which will subside with time as further healing occurs. As soon as the numbing effect of the eye-drops wears off, the eyes may begin to feel slightly sore and gritty. The eyes may also be foggy and sometimes teary, but there should be no pain. Some patients may experience bothersome light sensitivity and glare or they may complain that they see halos. There may also be some swelling of the conjunctiva and occasionally, some redness may occur. These complaints are most noticeable during the first six to eight hours when the surface cells of the cornea are healing. Dry eye is a common problem early after the procedure, so it is important to keep the eyes well lubricated with eye drops. These side effects will lessen or go away within weeks. Side effects vary from patient to patient, depending on their condition. Many patients do not experience side effects.
What are the LASIK instruments and technology used at I Care Lasik?
I Care Lasik uses the MEL-80 Carl Zeiss instrument which uses the Advanced Aspheric Lasik technology. This technology, the first to be used in Indonesia, keeps the natural shape of the cornea so that vision is as sharp as the natural condition.
THE BENEFITS IN USING ADVANCED ASPHERIC LASIK COMPARED TO STANDARD LASIK ARE:
Other special features of the MEL-80 instrument are:
What are the special features of the Microkeratome Amadeus II compared to the Intralase? (LASIK without the use of a knife.)
If there is a power failure, what will happen to the machine and the procedure?If there is a power failure, the lasik process will carry on precisely without interruption.
The machine comes equipped with a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) back-up system. The machine can store enough electricity inside for 5 hours of standby and for 2 hours of usage time. This is more than enough for a procedure that takes only 10 minutes.
