What is LASIK? LASIK is a surgical procedure that uses cool (non-thermal) beam of light to gently reshape the cornea, the surface of the eye to improve vision. A superficial flap of cornea is lifted with an instrument called microkeratome. Then within 60seconds, U/V and energy pulses from the excimer laser precisely sculpt the corneal bed. by adjusting the pattern of the laser beam it is possible to correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. After the corneal bed is reshaped, the flap of the cornea is replaced in its original position What is PRK? Photorefractive Keratectomy is another common form of laser vision correction. In PRK the top layer of the cornea (the epithelium) is removed so that the cornea can be reshaped. After surgery, the epithelium must heal on its own, contact lenses are often used as bandage. Although the results are same as LASIK, healing takes slightly longer with PRK, and more discomfort can be associated with the procedure. What is LASEK? Laser assisted sub epithelial keratectomy, a new type of laser vision correction similar to PRK. With LASEK surgery the epithelium is temporarily loosened from the cornea. Once your eye has been reshaped the epithelium is then replaced over the exposed cornea to help aid in healing. Some surgeons feel that recovery is faster and less uncomfortable than with PRK, but there isn't universal agreement on this yet. What is EPI LASIK? Iil is similar to LASEK except that instead of alcohol a microkeratome is used to make the epithelial flap. What is Femto second Laser? This is a new addition to the laser armoury. This laser is used to make flap in LASIK instead of the microkeratome. This eliminates few of the complications associated with micro keratome flap making like button holing, free cap, incomplete flap etc. On the other hand femtosecond laser has also its own disadvantages like excessive bubble formation etc. Studies have shown similar result in both femtosecond and microkeratome procedures What is blade less LASIK? Since a microkeratome blade is not used in femto second flap creation it is called blade less LASIK. What is wave front guided technology? When light passes through the periphery of the cornea there produces some defects known as abberations. All human eyes invariably have some form of abberations in varied degrees. In wave front guided laser a special instrument measures the existing abberation of that particular patient and directs the laser to correct them. Wave front guided laser also takes care of additional abberation that the laser procedure itself may create. What is wave front optimised technology? Conventional laser treatment produces some defects which are known as abberations. Wave front optimised treatment takes care of these abberations so that the vision becomes perfect. Will I need glasses after LASIK? Generally not. However sometimes minor here and there may occur that most of the time does not necessitate use of glasses. If gross over or under correction occurs on rare occasion that can be mended on another sitting Can somebody find me later that I have laser corrected eyes? In case of LASIK an eye doctor can detect that with the help of an instrument called Slit lamp. PRK can’t be detected by anybody. What is the biggest risk in LASIK? Development of ectasia. This is a condition where the cornea may thin out progressively causing deterioration of vision. The condition is very rare and almost nil if LASIK is performed in accordance to the guidelines laid down. We hear about devastating eye infections following cataract surgery. Can that happen following LASIK? Fortunately not. Infection following LASIK is very rare .If it happens also it is not as devastating as endophthalmitis following cataract surgery. One of my friends got his laser eye surgery done 3 years back. Now he is back to square one again. He needs more glass numbers than what he used to have before surgery. Why this has happened? This is called 'regression’. Again another very rare complication of laser surgery. Nobody knows why this happens. It is more seen in PRK procedures than in LASIK. Can I have both eyes operated upon at the same time? Yes. Studies have shown that simultaneous LASIK surgery is as safe and effective as sequential surgery. Simultaneous surgery has lot more advantages over sequential that everywhere in the world both eyes are operated in the same sitting What about the health of my eyes 20 or 30 years from now? LASIK has been performed since 1991 and its safety is established. Likelihood of delayed problems is extremely low. LASIK is a variant of lamellar surgery, which has been performed for 50 years, and these patients have not been noted to develop late problems. What if I move my eye during the laser treatment? The WaveLight Allegreto laser is equipped with a special eye tracker that tracks the eye at 500 times a second throughout the procedure. The laser stops working if the tracker finds that decentred. That’s why nothing to be worried about even if the fixating eye strays a bit. The person keeps his eye fixed at a green light that keeps the eye positioned all throughout the procedure. Any instructions for people who wear contact lenses? Yes, if you wear soft contact lenses, we prefer you to take them out 3 (three) days prior to your initial evaluation in order to obtain an accurate reading for the topography test. For soft or soft toric contact lenses, you need to take them out 7 days prior to the laser procedure. If you wear rigid gas permeable studies show that 3 or more weeks are necessary for the eye to stabilize. My glass numbers are minus 13 and minus 14 in the right and left eye respectively. Can I go for LASIK? No , at our centre we don’t treat eyes more than minus 9 Dioptre .Beyond that we undertake Phakic IOL surgery which is very safe for these higher dioptres. How many times do I need to visit you for the LASIK surgery, in total with the consultation? !st, 7th and 30th Post operative days usually. However after the 7th day check up the local ophthalmologist can do the other check up. In the today’s word of mobile phones and internet the patient can have access to the refractive surgeon any day. I am a 18 year old girl. I think I am at the right age for LASIK? Though 18 year is taken as a minimum age for LASIK, our centre is abit conservative in this aspect. We do LASIK in a 18 year old girl if only she has unchanged glass power for the last 3 years. Otherwise our minimum age limit is 20years. After the lasik will be able to use eye make up normally? Regular makeup is allowed from next day, but avoid eye make up until your second eye check (about 7 days after LASIK) till you meet the doctor. Is there a risk of damage to my eye during the lasik? When patients are schedule for surgery every minor point is looked into .We do not undertake any surgery unless we are hundred percent convinced that she or he is safe for surgery. After the surgery, when could i return back to work? Can Ialso start working extensively on computers? Maximum two days lay off is sufficient. One can use the computers on the third day itself for his routine regular amount of time. On the first week one will need to use the eye drops at least 4 times a day.That does not necessitate break in work. Is LASIK painful? There is no pain during any laser vision procedures since anaesthetic eye drops numb your eyes, although some patients may experience mild discomfort or a pressure sensation during the procedure. After LASIK you may experience mild irritation for a few days, but that is normal .An over the counter pain reliever or use of artificial teats will take care of this discomfort. Am I the right candidate? • Anyone above 18 years of age. • Have stable refraction (glass Number) for past one year • Have refraction range of -9 to +6 dioptres with astigmatism not more than 4 dioptres. • No major eye diseases like cataract, major retinal diseases, glaucoma. What are the risks associated with LASIK? Just as any other surgical procedure, Laser vision correction has risks. The commonest problems are temporary dryness of the eyes, under correction and over correction. In almost every case there is a solution to the problem. Severe complications are extremely rare. Laser vision correction is a simple safe and accurate method of reducing your dependence on glasses and contact lenses. Before making your decision, you must discuss all your expectations, risks and benefits in detail with your doctor so that you may enjoy healthy eye sight for the rest of your life.