LASIK / Refractive Surgery
Refractive Surgery
Refractive eye surgery is a general term for surgical procedures that can improve or correct the eye’s focus by permanently changing the shape of the cornea, the clear, front surface of the eye.
The surgery is performed to correct refractive errors, common vision problems that keep the eye from focusing well. They include myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism, which affects both distance and near vision.
Surgical options include LASIK, Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) and Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK). During LASIK PRK and AK, the cornea is reshaped to improve the patient’s vision. LASIK and PRK were the first surgical procedures developed to reshape the cornea by sculpting using a laser.
LASIK
Laser-assisted in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is the most technologically advanced form of laser vision correction designed to correct common vision problems.
The procedure utilizes an excimer laser to reshape the cornea beneath its surface after a superficial cornea flap is fashioned with a microkeratome blade or a femtosecond laser. The flap is folded back and the excimer laser energy can be applied to the underlying layers of the cornea.
This process results in a more rapid healing response, with 99% of patients being able to return to work and normal activities by the following morning. Functional return of vision is very rapid, often only several hours, and it allows both eyes to be done very close together or even at the same visit. No stitches or eye patches are required, and eye drops are typically used for about a week following the procedure.
Your Premier Medical ophthalmologist can advise you on which procedure is best for your vision problems.
