What is LASIK Eye Surgery? And is it right for you?

Dr.Vidya Chaudhry, 3 mins read

The LASIK Procedure

LASIK is one of the best-known laser eye surgeries in the world and is performed to correct vision problems. A LASIK procedure is used to correct vision problems caused by refractive errors: when an eye does not bend (refract) light as it normally should. This type of refractive eye surgery has come to be recognized as a viable alternative to wearing contact lenses or spectacles; and is used for treating refractive errors such as farsightedness (hyperopia), near-sightedness (myopia), and distortion of images due to cylindrical powers (astigmatism). The latest LASIK technology now also allows for the correction of age-related near vision problems that require glasses for reading, or presbyopia. In LASIK surgery, a special type of laser is used to precisely change the shape of the dome-shaped clear tissue at the front of the eye (cornea) to improve vision. The Department of Ophthalmology at Aakash Healthcare is home to some of the best eye surgeons in Delhi; who perform the most advanced LASIK eye surgery with impeccable success, but only after our experts deem it fit for our patients.

Why do refractive errors arise?

For us to be able to see clearly, light rays must travel through our cornea and lens, after which both of them will bend the light for it to land on the retina. The retina turns light into signals, which are then sent to the brain, where they become images before they are comprehended and received by the mind. In cases with refractive errors, the shape of either the cornea or the lens prevents light from bending the way it should and when this light does not come into sharp focus on the retina- vision becomes blurry. Therefore, in LASIK, ophthalmologists use lasers to change the shape of your cornea, which improves the way light rays are focused on the retina.

The Vision Troubles LASIK can treat

LASIK eye surgery is a great option for correcting.

• Myopia, or Nearsightedness - When an eyeball is longer than normal or when the cornea curves light much too acutely, light rays fall and focus in front of the retina and blur all distant vision. People with this can see close by fairly clearly, but their distance vision is blurry.
• Hyperopia or Farsightedness- When individuals have a shorter eyeball than average or a very flat cornea, light tends to focus behind the retina instead of falling on it. This usually causes blurry vision for near. Distance vision is also blurred after a certain power of glass.
• Astigmatism occurs if the cornea curves or flattens in an uneven manner, which can also end up disrupting the focus of nearby and distant vision. This is the scattering of the focus, leading to blurry vision, inability to focus on objects, etc. This condition is corrected by cylindrical powered glasses.
• Presbyopia or near-sightedness of the aged is seen usually after the age of 40 when the natural lens loses its flexibility & thereby the ability to focus on near objects.

People who consider LASIK eye surgery probably wear glasses or contact lenses already, so it’s best to speak with an eye doctor about the suitability of LASIK surgery or any other refractive eye procedure, and decide which will work ideally for you your needs.

Are you a suitable candidate for LASIK surgery?

To go through LASIK eye surgery, individuals must meet certain basic requirements that will ensure the surgery does not prove harmful to them in any way, shape, or form. At Aakash, comprehensive eye tests along with other relevant tests are carried out for every patient, the findings are cross-examined by a panel of ophthalmologists, and only then will a clearance, or otherwise, be put forward to the patient, with whom the final decision always lies.

If you wish to know whether LASIK eye surgery is for you. You must meet the basic criteria at least; you’ll have to be over 18 years of age as the refractive errors are usually stable after this age, and your power (prescription) should have been stable for the last year. Also, the corneas have to be healthy and of a certain thickness, along with good overall eye health.

Detailed corneal and retinal scans and other examinations are done to ensure your power can be rectified by a laser procedure.

Who can’t get LASIK?

LASIK isn’t for everyone; this includes people who have a refractive error that keeps changing. For extremely high levels of refractive errors: LASIK may not be feasible, and doctors may suggest other procedures such as a phakic intraocular lens.

If your corneas are too thin, or cone-shaped, or if they have been damaged or diseased, LASIK may not be viable. These issues can be diagnosed with corneal topography scans.

Severe dry eyes, glaucoma, repeated eye infections, uncontrolled diabetes, and pregnancy will also deter physicians from prescribing the procedure.   

For people who have thin corneas or severe dryness in their eyes, or if the ophthalmologist feels that the residual strength of the cornea can be preserved in a better fashion, they may recommend the next generation of laser eye surgery called SMILE (Small incision lenticule extraction) that is a more advanced, blade-less, and flap-less technique.

Individuals with fine aberrations in their cornea (picked up on eye scans) will benefit from a topo-guided treatment, often referred to as CONTURA LASIK.

Please remember, these are general guidelines for LASIK. There are many options to correct a range of eye complications, speak with your ophthalmologist about other treatment options, and also, let them tell you if you are fit for a procedure.                                                                              

What to expect Before, during, and after LASIK Eye Surgery

Before

An ophthalmologist will discuss your needs and discuss your expectations from LASIK. If you go ahead, then your vision will be tested to rule out see whether LASIK can be used to correct your vision, you’ll also have to get a checkup for other eye problems.

The thickness of your cornea and measurements of its surface will be taken, which will allow the surgeon to use these measurements and program the software-based LASIK laser for surgery, with absolute precision. The size of your pupil will also be measured. Based on these findings; the best treatment plan will be charted out to suit your needs. As our doctors often say, LASIK or any refractive surgery is not a blanket procedure and must be customized for every individual for the best results. The doctor may offer you all options of LASIK (BLADE LASIK, BLADE FREE LASIK, OR FEMTO LASIK), Smile or a surface ablation procedure called PRK – Photo refractive Keratectomy) from which you can make an informed choice, or the doctor may recommend a single procedure to be more beneficial to you.

During

This laser eye surgery is quite convenient and will be done relatively quickly, and you will have your eyes numbed with eye drops. After this, a thin flap is created on the cornea with a device called a microkeratome, which is used for blade LASIK. The flap can also be created using a specialized laser for blade-free LASIK eye surgery, called FEMTO LASIK.

Your cornea will then be reshaped by an ophthalmologist using an excimer laser. After this, the flap will attach on its own in around 2–3 minutes, where it will heal rather quickly.

The whole procedure lasts 10-15 minutes and is completely pain-free. For SMILE surgery, there is no need to create a flap. Instead, a high-precision laser shapes out a lenticule the procedures are part of precise. The doctor will talk to you and guide you the whole time within the cornea which is then removed.

After

You will be able to leave the hospital within a few minutes of surgery you should ideally try and go home, rest up and take it easy, and sleep a little if you want. For an hour or so, you may feel some imitation in your operated eye, but special eye drops are provided to help with this. Soon, you’ll see a whole new world without glasses.

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