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Frequently Asked Questions about
LASIK & PRK/Surface Ablation
1.
What does LASIK do for you?
a.
LASIK makes you much less dependent and often
completely independent of glasses.
b.
LASIK targets distance vision, but may be helpful
for near vision as well. It corrects myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
It will not correct presbyopia per se without a compromise in distance
vision.
2.
What is LASIK?
a.
LASIK is a vision correction procedure that uses
the laser to reshape the cornea from within. It is Laser In-situ
Keratomileusis, or simply put, LASer Inside the Cornea. This in
contradistinction to PRK and other surface ablation methods, where laser
is performed on the surface of the cornea.
3.
How is LASIK performed?
a.
First a thin flap of corneal tissue is created
b.
The flap is lifted, exposing the remaining of the
cornea
c.
Laser is performed on the remaining of the cornea
to reshape it. It makes it flatter in myopes, steeper for hyperopes, and
makes one axis steeper in astigmatism.
d.
The flap is repositioned back to its place
e.
The corneal flap will adhere by itself to the
remaining cornea.
4.
How is PRK/ Laser Surface Ablation performed?
a.
The outer regenerating crust of the cornea is
gently scraped either by laser or chemically, exposing the cornea per
se.
b.
Laser is performed on the cornea.
c.
A bandage contact lens is applied on the cornea
to help the outer crust regenerate underneath it (will take 2-3 days,
and then the contact lens is removed).
Figure 1. Laser Surface Ablation
Figure 2.
LASIK
5.
What is the range of treatment? (varies depending
on platforms and certifying body)
a.
Myopia: up to -12 D
b.
Hyperopia up to +6 D
c.
Astigmatism up to 6 D
6.
Who is a candidate?
a.
Persons older than 18 years
b.
Have a stable prescription for the past year
(<0.5 D change)
c.
Are not pregnant nor nursing
d.
Have no uncontrolled or marked systemic problems.
e.
Have a normal preoperative evaluation: normal eye
exam, corneal thickness, and computerized corneal map
7.
Who is not a candidate?
i.
Very thin corneas or clearly abnormal
computerized corneal map
ii.
Severe eye dryness, especially if associated with
systemic problems like Sjogren’s disease and other rheumatologic
diseases
iii.
Intake of medications like cordarone (heart beat
pacer medication) or Roacutane or other medications that produce
significant dry eyes
iv.
Patients who have glaucoma
v.
Patients who have a clinically significant
cataract
vi.
Uncontrolled systemic diseases, like
rheumatological diseases and thyroid diseases.
vii.
Patients with very large pupil size at night
8.
What to expect after surgery (LASIK)
a.
Vision will be somewhat blurry the same day of
surgery
b.
Vision will be 90% back the second day: so you
could usually drive and resume work.
c.
You will be using two sets of drops 4 times a day
for 7-10 days
d.
The day of surgery, you will be wearing
transparent eyeshields or protective goggles
e.
You will have to sleep with these goggles or
eyeshields for one week
f.
You don’t have to wear any patches or eyeshields
on your eyes during the day
g.
You shouldn’t rub your eyes for at least 2 weeks
h.
You can swim after 3 weeks
9.
What to expect after surgery (PRK/ Laser
Surface Ablation)
a.
Vision will be somewhat blurry the same day of
surgery
b.
Vision will be much better the second day
c.
There will be some discomfort, light sensitivity,
and burning sensation the first 3 days
d.
The bandage contact lens is removed after 3-5
days
e.
No eye patches or shields need to be worn
f.
You’ll be using two sets of drops, 4 times a day,
in addition to eye lubrication drops, and pain killers
g.
Vision will be markedly better in 2 weeks
h.
Vision will be at its best in 6 weeks
i.
You can swim after 4 weeks
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