Laser in-Situ Keratomileusis
 LASIK combines the accuracy of the Excimer
laser with the quick-healing characteristics
of a procedure first performed in 1949
called Lamellar Keratoplasty. The primary
difference between PRK and LASIK is that the
surface of the
cornea is treated with PRK
while the inner tissue of the cornea is
treated with LASIK. Both have similar
success rates, but LASIK offers patients
less postoperative discomfort and a quicker
return to functional vision.
During the procedure, a special device
creates a hinged flap of thin corneal
tissue, and the flap is gently folded out of
the way. The laser reshapes the underlying
tissue, and the surgeon replaces the corneal
flap over the treated area where it bonds
securely, without the need for stitches.
With less surface area to heal than PRK,
LASIK patients recover very quickly, and
most experience little, if any, discomfort.
Functional vision returns very rapidly, with
the major ity of patients seeing well enough
to drive in a day or two without glasses or
contact lenses. Most patients elect to have LASIK performed on both eyes at the same
time. To be a good candidate for LASIK, the
cornea must be of sufficient thickness to
allow for the flap to be made and still have
enough tissue under the flap to allow for
the proper amount of tissue to be removed to
achieve the targeted level of correction.
Patients with severe
dry eye syndrome, very
thin corneas, or other condititons, such as
the beginning stages of a
cataract may be
better candidates for other refractive
procedures.
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