LASIK Eye Surgery

Today, LASIK eye surgery is a viable means for vision correction. Although this site is designed for the individual who is contemplating undergoing LASIK eye surgery within the state of New York, all potential LASIK eye surgery candidates should find the information presented here useful.

Here you will find a LASIK eye surgeon directory, current news about LASIK eye surgery, and an informative discussion about this interesting topic. Here you will find some of the most important points to contemplate when deciding if LASIK eye surgery is right for you.

Here we also provide a book store. Our book store consists of a large collection of books about LASIK eye surgery, eye health, and eye care. So if you want to learn more about LASIK eye surgery or eye care, we invite you to browse our book store. Anyone who is considering LASIK eye surgery for vision correction should purchase at least one book on the subject. Knowledge is the key in terms of making the right decision with regards to whether LASIK eye surgery is right for you.

Here you will also find a chat room about LASIK eye surgery. Our chat room can be used by anyone who has an interest in LASIK eye surgery, and should be useful to the potential LASIK candidate who wants to be more informed about LASIK. Our chat room allows for an unlimited number of users. All we ask is that the conversations within our chat room stay within the realm of LASIK and related topics.

Our LASIK eye surgery news component consists of new developments, breakthroughs, ongoing research, and any compelling news which may be of interest to the LASIK candidate and LASIK eye surgeon. Basically, anything and everything related to LASIK eye surgery can be found within our news component.

This news will be updated daily. To subscribe at no cost to this news component, just copy and paste the RSS icon link into the address bar of your reader. You will receive daily updated news about many aspects of LASIK eye surgery.

Our goal here is to not sell you on LASIK, but to simply provide you with the information you need so that you can make an informed decision. This is why on this page you will see ads for LASIK and for natural vision correction. We provide the information, and let you follow the path you feel you should take in terms of vision correction without glasses.

LASIK Eye Surgery - A Discussion About LASIK

LASIK is an abbreviation for “laser assisted in situ Keratomileusis”. Today, LASIK is considered routine eye surgery. The most important surgical tool in LASIK eye surgery is the excimer laser. The excimer laser is a “cool laser” and therefore it does not generate heat. Here we will discuss how this laser is used in LASIK eye surgery.

LASIK eye surgery can correct nearsightedness also called myopia, farsightedness also called hyperopia, and astigmatism. Most likely your reason for wearing glasses or contacts is to correct one of these conditions. LASIK eye surgery provides another option for vision correction.

To understand how LASIK works, it is imperative that we first discuss the basics of human eye anatomy and physiology. We will then discuss how LASIK eye surgery corrects for decreased visual acuity.

LASIK Eye Surgery - Eye Anatomy

Image courtesy of Lahey Clinic Foundation

The main components of the human eye are the retina, lens, and cornea. The cornea bends the light so that an image is projected onto the retina.

The retina, made up of photoreceptor cells called rods and cones, receives the light and transmits impulses along the optic nerve to the optical region of the brain.

While it is the cornea’s job to get the image to the retina, it is the lens’ job to make sure the rays come to a sharp focus on the retina.

In nearsightedness, the cornea places the image in front of the retina. In farsightedness, the opposite occurs in that the image is placed behind the retina. Both nearsightedness and farsightedness occur because the cornea shape is not exactly what it should be.

Astigmatism, also caused by cornea shape anomaly, is a condition in which the cornea’s curvature is asymmetrical. In astigmatism the eye is shaped like a football or egg instead of the normal baseball shape.
Light rays are focused at two points on the retina rather than one, resulting in blurred vision. Any change in the cornea shape means the image is not where it should be and hence blurry vision.

In LASIK eye surgery, a excimer laser destroys the inter-molecular bonds within the cornea tissue which results in giving the cornea it’s correct shape. The cornea can then place the image onto the retina. The procedure for LASIK eye surgery can be characterized as follows:

LASIK Eye Surgery - Procedure

Image courtesy of Medical Research Foundation

1) A flap of superficial corneal tissue is created by cutting the top tissue layer which lies above the cornea. This is done by using a motorized blade.

2) The flap is pulled back to expose the cornea.

3) The excimer laser is then used to remove tissue from the cornea.

4) The corneal flap is then placed back to its original position.

5) The flap adheres without the need for sutures.

LASIK and LASEK - Two Procedures

LASIK and LASEK are actually two slightly different procedures. LASEK is an abbreviation for “Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis”. LASEK is a variation of LASIK and involves cutting an ultra-thin layer of epithelium lining the front of the cornea. The tissue then is moistened with diluted alcohol and moved aside for laser treatment.

Like the corneal flap created in LASIK eye surgery, the epithelial flap in LASEK is replaced to serve as a type of “bandage” to promote healing. LASEK is used as an alternative to LASIK for those individuals who have unusually thin corneas and other eye anomalies.

LASIK Eye Surgery and LASEK Eye Surgery Risks

Image courtesy of Dr John Hill

As in all medical procedures, some risk is associated with LASIK and LASEK eye surgery. Complication potential for LASIK/LASEK eye surgery can be reduced when the procedure is performed by an experienced surgeon, who has performed hundreds, or even better, thousands of LASIK/LASEK surgical procedures.

Studies performed in the late 1990s showed that about 5% of individuals who underwent the procedure developed some sort of complication. Experienced LASIK/LASEK eye surgeons are currently reporting complications in about 1% of people who underwent the procedure.

Other studies show the incidence of LASIK eye surgery patients having unresolved complications six months after surgery has been estimated to be from 3% to 6%.

The following is a list of possible LASIK eye surgery risks:

• - Light sensitivity
• - Halos, glare, and starbursts. These conditions occur if light enters the eye around the edge of the treatment area. They can usually be corrected with an additional treatment.
• - Under correction or over correction.
• - Irregular astigmatism. This can occur if the cornea heals in a wavy configuration
• - Regression
• - Contrast Sensitivity

Complications are usually associated with the cutting of the clear tissue which covers the cornea. This cutting is necessary for the producing of a flap which is pulled back, exposing the cornea for excimer laser application.

A bladed instrument known as a microkeratome, has traditionally been used to cut the tissue over the cornea for creating the flap. Using this instrument sometimes resulted in corneal surface irregularities.

A company called IntraLase has developed a laser which allows for a very clean cut with no irregularities. The use of the IntraLase laser has resulted in fewer complications from LASIK eye surgery. The draw back to using Intralace is that the procedure is more expensive.

So while risks are associated with LASIK/LASEK eye surgery, as in all surgical procedures, the LASIK risk is minimal due to advances in ophthalmological technology.

LASIK Eye Surgery - Conclusion

Technological developments which have taken place within ophthalmology has resulted in additional options for vision correction. Today, an individual does not have to where glasses or contacts to achieve visual acuity.

LASIK/LASEK eye surgery, a routine procedure, is a viable alternative. The candidate for LASIK/LASEK surgery must weigh the benefits relative to the risks in order to make an informed decision.