An Insight into Lasik Eye Surgery

Lasik is actually the short form of the term “Laser in situ Keratomileusis”. This is a procedure for correcting some vision problems and getting improvements in the vision that is performed by ophthalmologists who are trained to do this surgery.

History

In the year 1970, Dr. Jose Barraquer started off with a surgical procedure that laid the foundation stone for Lasik. He began to use a device called the microkeratome to alter the corneal surface and to reflect the corneal flap to reach the inner layers. This surgery was called keratomileusis.

It was only in the year 1990 that Lasik was actually developed by Dr. Lucio Buratto, an Italian doctor and Dr. Ioannis Pallikaris from Greece. They combined the system developed by Dr. Jose Barraquer with another procedure called photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). PRK is a surgical procedure that uses lasers to alter the shape of the corneal surface by removing some tissue from the stroma layer of the cornea. These days this procedure is generally not performed as the recuperation time is longer and the procedure is much more painful when compared to Lasik.

Therefore, the combination of the techniques is used as the amount of complications that arise is much lesser and the procedure is more accurate in improving the sight. In 1991, the procedure was introduced in the United States by Dr. Stephen Slade and Dr. Stephen Brint. In Munich in the same year, two German doctors Thomas Neuhann and Tobias Neuhann were the first to perform the surgery by automated means.

Prior to the Surgery

Prior to going for the surgery, the patient’s eyes have to be evaluated using a scanner that is computer controlled. This helps in assessing the shape of the cornea. With the help of lasers, mapping of the corneal surface is then done. This enables the surgeon to assess if there are any signs of astigmatism and other problems associated with the shape of the cornea.

This evaluation helps the doctor to assess the amount of tissue that has to be removed during the surgery. It also helps the surgeon know the exact location from where the tissue needs to be removed. The patient is usually advised to take antibiotics prior to the surgery to eliminate the risk of an infection once the surgery is over.

If the person is wearing contact lenses, he/she will be asked to avoid wearing it for many days and in some cases weeks before the stipulated date of surgery. This is to allow contact of the cornea with the atmosphere so that it can absorb oxygen. If the person is wearing contacts, the corneal surface does not get to absorb oxygen. This leads to a condition called corneal neovascularization where more blood vessels develop in the cornea. When Lasik is performed in such a case, there is more amount of inflammation seen and the healing time is also increased. There is also more discomfort when the surgery is taking place.

The Actual Surgery

The patient is given a sedative depending on their level of anxiety. If the patient is relaxed and calm, no sedative is given. The patient is alert and awake when the procedure is in progress and an anesthetic eye drop is put in the eye to avoid any discomfort during the procedure. With the help of lasers, the surgeon makes the desired cuts. The eye position is tracked with a tracking device that works at a rate of 4,000 times every second. This helps in accurate guidance of the laser to the required area.

The surgeon makes an incision with a microkeratome blade or a femtosecond laser that helps in creating a flap. The flap has a hinge that allows it to be placed back after the surgery. The created flap is reflected to expose the stroma layer of the cornea. The stromal layer is then reshaped by the surgeon with the help of an excimer laser. There is no removal of tissue from the neighboring layers of the stroma.

After the Surgery

There is the risk of complications arising from the procedure, although they are not very common. Some of the possible complications that may occur are dry eye syndrome, debris below the flap, double vision, epithelium erosion, halos occurring around light sources in low-light, induced astigmatism, increased sensitivity to light, overcorrection or under correction and wrinkles occurring in the flap.

Most of the possible complications happen because of the flap getting displaced from its position. To prevent this from happening, your doctor will advise you to take rest and sleep once you get back home from the surgery. There is also the possibility of an infection occurring below the flap.

Lasik corrective eye surgery is a wonderful and amazing procedure that uses latest and advanced technology for providing you better vision. But, it is essential to learn completely about the procedure and its advantages and possible risks involved before the procedure.