What Can I Expect?
Did you know?
In less than 60 seconds, ultraviolet light and high-energy pulses from the excimer laser reshape the internal cornea with accuracy up to 0.25 microns, or 1/4000 of a millimeter.
What Happens Before the Laser Eye Surgery Procedure?
Before a surgeon will perform LASIK or PRK surgeries, preoperative tests are performed to screen for glaucoma, cataracts and other disqualifying conditions. The surgeon will also use an instrument called a corneal topographer to photograph and electronically map the eye in order to gather more information about the individual’s eyes prior to treatment.
Because contact lenses change the shape of the cornea, LASIK and PRK candidates are required to switch to eyeglasses before their baseline evaluation is taken and continue wearing only eyeglasses between 2-4 weeks before eye surgery. Not leaving contact lenses out long enough for the cornea to assume its natural shape before surgery can cause inaccurate measurements and poor vision after surgery.
What Happens During the Laser Eye Surgery Procedure?
Once the surgeon has conducted all pre-operative examinations, the eye is anesthetized with numbing eyedrops, the area around the eye is cleaned, and an instrument called a lid speculum is used to hold the eyelids open. The surgeon will then use a special laser called a Femto laser create a very thin surface flap - the outermost 20 percent of the thickness of the cornea - to expose the portion beneath. This is now done with our new Ziemer LDV Laser. (See more on technology pages)
While the inner cornea (the stroma) exposed, the surgeon will ask the patient to fixate on a specific light source above the patient. This is to ensure that the laser beam is aligned precisely with the center of the patient’s eye. Once the eye is in the correct position, the Wavelight excimer laser treatment is performed. The computer-controlled excimer laser removes the tissue under the flap and reshapes the cornea of the eye. In less than 60 seconds, ultraviolet light and high-energy pulses from the excimer laser reshape the internal cornea with accuracy up to 0.25 microns, or 1/4000 of a millimeter.
After the pulses of laser energy vaporize the corneal tissue, the flap is put back into its original position. The surgeon will observe the eye for three to five minutes to ensure bonding. Because the cornea bonds quickly, healing is rapid, and the eye does not require stitches.
Is Laser Eye Surgery Painful?
The procedure is painless, however, most people experience 4-6 hours of mild irritation after their LASIK procedure. If your treatment is PRK then, although the procedure is painless you will experience a moderate amount of discomfort as the surface of the eye is healing. This usually last 3-4 days and is managed by wearing a soft “bandage” contact lens and by using mild pain relievers through this period.
How Long Does the Procedure Take?
The laser treatment itself usually takes less than a minute, while the entire procedure takes around 15 minutes per eye.
How Long Must People Wait to Resume Normal Activities After Laser Eye Surgery?
In most cases, people can return to work within 1-3 days following laser eye surgery. Excluding the day of surgery itself, people may begin driving as soon as they see well enough. Women can start wearing makeup within two to three days of treatment, however, they are advised to wear only new cosmetics in order to decrease risk of infection.
Will a Person's Vision Remain Stable Long After the Procedure?
The vision correction is permanent. However, a person’s vision may change naturally with time and LASIK / PRK surgeries do not affect visual conditions that may develop with age. Also, LASIK / PRK surgeries do not prevent presbyopia and the eventual need for reading glasses. Depending on the cause, retreatment may be a viable solution to later vision changes, and other treatment options also exist.
