What is lasik surgery for eyes?
LASIK procedure uses a special type of laser beam, called the excimer laser, or the ultraviolet laser to reshape the cornea so that the light can focus accurately on the retina and by doing so it can correct refractive errors such as, myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism, helping patients perform most of their daily activities without needing eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Excimer laser
The excimer laser has been developed over the past two decades for use in eye surgery for its distinctive and harmless properties on human tissues.
The laser is characterized by an excellent ability to break the bonds between the molecules within the corneal tissues, and because of the absence of any thermal damage to the neighboring tissues it is also called a cold laser beam.
The excimer laser is used to redesign the shape of the cornea in a highly accurate and computerized way according to the corneal topography.
Lasik eye surgery procedure steps
LASIK surgery involves opening the outer shell of the cornea with a high-precision scalpel without separating it, creating a flap of corneal tissue, after that the cornea is reshaped using the excimer laser according to the refractive error, and the flap is replaced the way it was, which speeds healing and reduces complications.
LASIK is a simple procedure that is done under mild sedation and not general anesthesia. LASIK procedure usually takes about 10 minutes to finish, and it does not necessitate admission to the hospital.
LASIK surgery is also performed without any surgical sutures, and when the patient is sent home, some medications are prescribed for him, such as steroid drops, a topical antibiotic, and painkillers.
Lasik surgery benefits
LASIK surgery is characterized by the lack of pain after the operation, and the postoperative fast recovery, with the possibility of treating severe degrees of nearsightedness.
LASIK has proven its effectiveness and safety over the years, as both eyes can be treated within minutes, and in one day, the problems of hyperopia, myopia and astigmatism can be corrected without causing any complications or damage to the cornea.
What to do before lasik surgery?
The surgeon thoroughly reviews the patient’s medical and surgical history, and looks for any factors that may negatively affect the procedure to be performed or its results, such as immunodeficiency, autoimmune diseases, connective tissues diseases or vasculitis. The surgeon will also ask about any past history of eye surgery or disease, and it is also necessary to make sure there is no silent glaucoma or dry eye.
