Lasik / Refractive Surgeries
Lasik
LASIK stands for laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis. This is a highly popular form of eye surgery and is used to correct a range of refractive errors, such as astigmatism, myopia and hyperopia. LASIK is a type of refractive surgery and involves controlled and precise targetting of the corneal tissue with a special laser. Corneal tissue is removed, resulting in a reshaping which enables improved vision.
Types of Lasik Treatments
If you've ever considered Lasik treatments for better vision, you'll be pleased to know that there are several types available to cater to various eye conditions. One type is conventional Lasik, a trusted procedure that has been performed for years. It corrects near-sightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea's curvature. Another option is wavefront-guided Lasik, which employs detailed mapping of the eye's unique imperfections to address even the most subtle irregularities. This procedure is particularly suitable for patients with higher-order aberrations, ensuring personalized and precise correction.
For individuals with thin corneas, ultra-thin Lasik offers a safe and effective solution, reducing the risk of potential complications. Finally, bladeless Lasik is a state-of-the-art technique that uses a laser instead of a microkeratome blade to create the corneal flap, resulting in an even more accurate and comfortable surgery experience. With these various types of Lasik treatments, individuals can choose the most suitable option based on their specific eye condition and preferences.
When is Lasik recommended?
Lasik, a widely popular laser eye surgery, is highly recommended for individuals seeking to correct refractive vision errors. This procedure is especially suited for individuals with near-sightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism. Lasik provides a long-lasting solution with remarkable results. It is highly recommended for people who have a stable eye prescription and are over the age of 18. Additionally, candidates for Lasik should have overall good eye health, including a healthy cornea and stable eye conditions.
During a comprehensive eye examination, an eye care professional can determine if Lasik is the right option for you. With its advanced technology and numerous success stories, Lasik is often recommended as a safe and effective alternative to glasses or contact lenses. Don't let your vision hold you back when Lasik could be the life-changing solution you've been waiting for.
Precautions to take for Lasik Treatment
If you are considering Lasik treatment, taking certain precautions can help ensure a successful and safe procedure. Firstly, it is important to schedule a consultation with a qualified and reputable ophthalmologist who specializes in Lasik. During this consultation, your eye health will be assessed, and any underlying conditions or concerns will be addressed. It is advisable to stop wearing contact lenses in the weeks leading up to your Lasik procedure, as they can alter the shape of your cornea.
Additionally, avoiding the use of eye makeup, lotions, and creams on the day of the treatment is recommended to minimize the risk of infection. It is essential to arrange for transportation to and from the clinic on the day of the procedure, as your vision may be temporarily impaired. Following your Lasik treatment, it is crucial to carefully follow the post-operative instructions provided by your ophthalmologist and attend all follow-up appointments to ensure optimal healing and recovery. Taking these necessary precautions will contribute to a successful Lasik treatment, providing you with improved vision and increased quality of life.
Refractive Surgery
- Zyoptix
- Femto-LASIK
- PRK
- FLEx
- SMILE (Small Incision Lenticular Extraction).
- Phakic IOC
What is Lasik?
LASIK stands for laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis. This is a highly popular form of eye surgery and is used to correct a range of refractive errors, such as astigmatism, myopia and hyperopia. LASIK is a type of refractive surgery and involves controlled and precise targetting of the corneal tissue with a special laser. Corneal tissue is removed, resulting in a reshaping which enables improved vision
TYPES OF LASIK
CONVENTIONAL LASIK SURGERY
It corrects only spectacle number but does not correct any other distortion.
OPTIMIZED LASIK SURGERY
It corrects spectacle number and optimized correction of distortions to maintain a prolate natural like cornea, thus giving better vision at night and dim illumination.
Wavefront-optimized LASIK, is an enhanced version of conventional LASIK. It does not address pre-operative HOAs, but the laser ablation is adjusted, based on the patient’s eye glasses prescription, to minimize any increase in spherical aberration induced by the treatment.
So whereas the goal of wavefront-guided LASIK is to identify and treat multiple HOAs (including spherical aberration) and refractive error during the corneal reshaping of the eye, the goal of wavefront-optimized LASIK is only to limit any increase in spherical aberration during the treatment of refractive error by the laser.
What Is Custom Lasik?
Custom LASIK is a procedure that involves the use of a wavefront analyzer which helps the surgeon to customize the LASIK procedure to every individual eye. Customized procedure enables a person to see clearer and shaper than before and thus improves the quality of vision.
Custom LASIK uses an equipment called the wavefront analyzer (aberrometer) to accurately measure the way light travels through the eye. The resulting map of the eye is then programmed into the laser, which then treats the eye, based on the personalized 3Dmap. Custom LASIK helps to treat “higher order” aberrations,which are tiny imperfections in the optical system of the eye. They have a significant impact on the quality of vision especially at night . In fact, higher order aberrations are not treatable with contact lenses, glasses or conventional LASIK.
Epi-LASIK is a newer laser eye surgery procedure that was developed to solve some of the potential problems with LASIK and LASEK. It’s somewhat of a cross between the two, but differs in a few key areas. With advent of Intralase Bladefree technique Epi-lasik is now obsolete
OTHER REFRACTIVE SURGERIES
Myopia
Nearsightedness, or myopia, as it is medically termed, is a vision condition in which people can see close objects clearly, but objects farther away appear blurred. People with myopia can have difficulty clearly seeing a movie or TV screen, a whiteboard in school or while driving.
Myopia occurs if the eyeball is too long or the cornea (the clear front cover of the eye) is too curved. As a result, the light entering the eye isn't focused correctly, and distant objects look blurred
Hypermetropia
Hypermetropia is a defect of vision that causes the impossibility for rays of light to be focused on the retina, but behind it. The main cause for this defect is the insufficiente eye lenght.
A lot of people suffer from hypermetropia without even knowing it, because the eye automatically compensate this defect. The continous effort to try to see clean images, can cause migraines that are rarely linked to eye’s problems. Hypermetropia gets noticed only when the eye cannot compensate any longer: vision becomes definitely blurred and people finally book an appointment to be checked out.
Why Go For Custom Lasik Procedure As Compared To Conventional Lasik?
The procedure for both custom LASIK and Conventional is the same but the pre assessment tests differ greatly. The wavefront analsyer used with custom LASIK brings a whole new level of knowledge and accuracy for the surgeon to perform this advanced procedure. This treatment has a significant impact on quality of vision and eliminates the problem of glare and halos at night. Topography, Aberrometry and Pachymetry are pre-operative tests required.
Custom LASIK uses an equipment called the wavefront analyzer (aberrometer) to accurately measure the way light travels through the eye. The resulting map of the eye is then programmed into the laser, which then treats the eye, based on the personalized 3Dmap. Custom LASIK helps to treat “higher order” aberrations,which are tiny imperfections in the optical system of the eye. They have a significant impact on the quality of vision especially at night . In fact, higher order aberrations are not treatable with contact lenses, glasses or conventional LASIK.
Intralase Lasik – Bladeless Or Blade Free Lasik
Intralase is a 100% Blade – free approach using ultra high precision Femtosecond Laser for creating the corneal flap with more safety and accuracy. By eliminating the hand held Microkeratome blade used in traditional LASIK for corneal flap creation, patients enjoy highest level of safety. With Intralase, using a computer controlled laser the surgeon delivers rapid pulses of light to a pre-programmed depth and position within the cornea. Also Intralase is able to treat patients with thin corneas which otherwise would have been turned down for Blade assisted LASIK.
Presbyopic Lasik
Presbyopia-test1PreLEX treatment (Presbyopic Refractive Lens Exchange) is a lens replacement procedure wherein the natural lens is replaced with a multi-focal intra-ocular lens implant. This is done to improve vision for those generally above the age of 40, as it is after this age that one’s eye sight begins to naturally become weak—causing blurred near vision while reading or working at the computer, or blurred far vision when looking at something from a distance.
PREOPERATIVE TESTING
Once doctor determines that you are a good candidate for Custom LASIK or an alternative eye surgery, you will schedule a preoperative exam in our hospital. During this exam, your eyes will be dilated and our technicians will perform an array of diagnostic tests to gather all the data they need to develop the best possible surgical treatment plan.
Please Note: If you are a contact lens wearer, you must refrain from wearing contact lenses before this exam:
Soft lenses - 1week before your exam
Toric lenses - 1 weeks before your exam
Hard or gas permeable lenses – 3 weeks for every decade of wear
Once you have completed your preoperative exam, you can have Custom LASIK eye surgery as soon as the following week! Effectively it takes only 15 minutes(30-60 seconds of laser time) to change your world from dependency on glasses to freedom from glasses.
ICL (Implantable Collamer Lenses)
ICL are an alternative to LASIK and PRK eye surgery for severe myopia (nearsightedness)or high hypermetropia ( far sightedness) or in cases with very thin cornea where LASIK is contraindicated, and in some cases produce better and more predictable vision outcomes than laser refractive surgery. ICLs are clear implantable lenses that are surgically placed either between the the iris and natural lens without removing the natural lens. ICLs enable light to focus properly on the retina for clearer vision without corrective eyewear. Surgery is minimally invasive day care procedure which is very safe.
ICL Vs Contact Lenses
Implantable lenses function like contact lenses to correct the eye power. The difference is that ICLs work from within your eye instead of sitting on the surface of your eye. ICLs offer a permanent correction , where as contact lenses are temporary and need daily wear and removal. Unlike contact lenses, you can’t feel a phakic intraocular lens in your eye (much like you don’t feel a dental filling for a cavity) and, apart from regular eye exams, ICLs typically do not require any maintenance.
ICLs Vs. LASIK Eye Surgery
- LASIK, which uses a computer-controlled laser to reshape the cornea, is the most popular refractive surgery to correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, in part due to continual technological advancements such as wavefront custom LASIK and femtosecond laser technology.
- Not everyone is a candidate for LASIK, though. Contraindications to LASIK surgery include: a very high degree of myopia having a cornea that is too thin or irregular in shape; eye conditions such as keratoconus; and chronic dry eyes.
- ICL is an additive procedure whereas LASIK is an substractive procedure
Precautions to take for Lasik Treatment
If you are considering Lasik treatment, taking certain precautions can help ensure a successful and safe procedure. Firstly, it is important to schedule a consultation with a qualified and reputable ophthalmologist who specializes in Lasik. During this consultation, your eye health will be assessed, and any underlying conditions or concerns will be addressed. It is advisable to stop wearing contact lenses in the weeks leading up to your Lasik procedure, as they can alter the shape of your cornea.
Additionally, avoiding the use of eye makeup, lotions, and creams on the day of the treatment is recommended to minimize the risk of infection. It is essential to arrange for transportation to and from the clinic on the day of the procedure, as your vision may be temporarily impaired. Following your Lasik treatment, it is crucial to carefully follow the post-operative instructions provided by your ophthalmologist and attend all follow-up appointments to ensure optimal healing and recovery. Taking these necessary precautions will contribute to a successful Lasik treatment, providing you with improved vision and increased quality of life.
Procedure for Lasik
If you've been contemplating the idea of achieving clearer vision without the constraints of glasses or contact lenses, Lasik might just be the solution you've been looking for. This highly innovative procedure, known as Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, offers a quick and efficient way to correct various vision problems. Beginning with an initial consultation, where the ophthalmologist will thoroughly examine your eyes, Lasik involves a step-by-step process that is remarkably precise. During the surgery, a specialized laser is used to gently reshape the cornea, essentially correcting any refractive errors causing your vision impairment. The procedure itself is virtually painless, thanks to the local anaesthetic drops administered beforehand. Once the surgery is complete, a protective shield or goggles may be provided to shield your eyes during the recovery period. While some patients might experience mild discomfort or light sensitivity immediately following the procedure, the majority report significant improvement in their vision in a matter of days. With its remarkable advancements in eye care technology, Lasik has become a popular option for those looking to achieve clearer, more focused vision with minimal disruption to their daily lives.
Benefits of Lasik
Lasik, or Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, is a popular vision correction procedure that offers a multitude of benefits. First and foremost, Lasik can greatly improve an individual's visual acuity, allowing them to see clearly without the need for glasses or contact lenses. This newfound visual clarity can enhance one's overall quality of life, enabling them to engage in activities such as swimming or exercising without worrying about the hassle of corrective eyewear. Additionally, Lasik is known for its rapid recovery time, with many patients experiencing improved vision within a day or two after the procedure.
The convenience and ease of this process make it an attractive option for those seeking life-changing vision correction. Furthermore, Lasik is a long-term investment, as it often provides permanent results, reducing the need for ongoing maintenance or additional corrective procedures. With its impressive success rate and numerous advantages, Lasik offers a safe and effective solution for individuals looking to liberate themselves from the constraints of eyeglasses or contact lenses.