Lasik Treatment

Lasik involves lasering under the surface of the cornea, avoiding the surface healing associated with lasek. Lasik is performed in sterile conditions and the doctor and staff wear sterile gowns. Sometimes Valium is given prior to treatment. To eliminate pain, the doctor applies anaesthetic eye drops. 

A small "clip" is used to keep the eye lid open and a sterile drape covers the head. A suction ring is applied to the eye for several seconds to enable a device (microkeratome) to make the flap. A very thin superficial layer of the cornea (approximately the thickness of a human hair and a quarter of the cornea's thickness) is partially cut and temporary rotated sideways. The cut flap remains joined to the cornea, like a hinge, enabling it to be repositioned in exactly the same place. 

You will then be asked to stare at the target light whilst the laser is applied to the exposed tissue. The flap is repositioned and the eye is covered to prevent you rubbing your eye. In all, you are in the treatment room for about 20 minutes. 

The inner eye is not pierced and stitches are not required, minimising the healing process. The benefits include a pain-free recovery, quick restoration of eyesight and better results for severe short sight. Subject to doctors advice, it may be possible for both eyes to be treated on the same day.


Lasik healing process
Eye drops will be given for you to apply during the first few days and clearer vision will return very quickly, probably the next day. Judging distance relies on the use of both eyes, so some activities e.g. work, driving or sports etc. may be awkward when only one eye is treated. However, since your second eye is usually treated very soon after the first eye, the time of unbalanced vision is very short lived. 

Possible side effects
Complications can occur during the operation or healing which may require further laser or surgical treatment. 
Side effects are different to LASEC but may result in similar visual complications. 
If you do experience anything more severe than mild pain, you MUST return to the clinic as soon as possible. 
The flap can be dislodged by rubbing the eye or any direct injury to the eye. 
Clarity and quality of vision (even with glasses) can be diminished if the flap is damaged.


Post lasik treatment
We recommend that you bring a friend/relative with you to the clinic to accompany you for the journey home. 
It is not expected that you will experience any significant pain, but you may need to take your own usual analgesic tablets.


The facts on lasik eye surgery
Lasik is surgery to a very delicate part of the eye. 
Hundreds of thousands of people have had Lasik, most very successfully. 
As with any surgery, there are risks and possible complications. Lasik may not give you perfect vision. 
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) reports that seven out of 10 patients achieve 20/20 vision, 
but 20/20 does not always mean perfect vision. 
If you have Lasik to correct your distance vision, you'll still need reading glasses around age 45. 
Although Laser surgery exist for more than 20 years not all long-term ill effects may be known. 
Lasik surgery cannot be reversed. 
You may need additional surgery ‹ called "enhancements" ‹ to get the best possible vision after Lasik.


After
Healing is relatively fast, but you may want to take a few days off after the surgery. Be aware that:

• You may experience a mild burning or sensation for a few hours after surgery. Do not rub your eye(s). Your doctor can prescribe a painkiller, if necessary, to ease the discomfort.
• Your vision probably will be blurry the day of surgery, but it will improve considerably by the next day when you return for a follow-up exam. If you experience aggravating or unusual side effects, report them to your doctor immediately.
• Do not drive until your vision has improved enough to safely do so.
• Avoid swimming, hot tubs and whirlpools for two weeks after surgery.

Risks and Possible Complications
Before the surgery, your surgeon should explain to you the risks and possible complications, and potential side effects, including the pros and cons of having one or both eyes done on the same day. This is the "informed consent" process. Some risks and possible complications include:

• Over- or under-correction. These problems can often be improved with glasses, contact lenses and enhancements.
• Corneal scarring, irregular astigmatism (permanent warping of the cornea), and an inability to wear contact lenses.
• Corneal or intra ocular infection. 
•  "Loss of best corrected visual acuity" ‹ that is, you would not be able to see as well after surgery, even with glasses or contacts, as you did with glasses or contacts before surgery. 
• A decrease in contrast sensitivity, "crispness," or sharpness. That means that even though you may have 20/20 vision, objects may appear fuzzy or greyish. 
• Problems with night driving that may require glasses.
• Flap problems, including: irregular flaps, incomplete flaps, flaps cut off entirely, and ingrowth of cells under the flap. 

• Discomfort or pain.
• Hazy or blurry vision.
• Scratchiness.
• Dryness.
• Glare.
• Haloes or starbursts around lights.
• Light sensitivity.
• Small pink or red patches on the white of the eye.