what does the laser treatment lasik do

What is laser eye surgery (LASIK)?

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Now the most commonly performed eye laser surgery, LASIK involves creating a partial-thickness corneal flap and using an excimer laser to ablate the bed of the cornea. The flap is then placed back into its original position.

What happens during LASIK surgery?

During LASIK surgery, a special type of cutting laser is used to precisely change the shape of the dome-shaped clear tissue at the front of your eye (cornea) to improve vision. In eyes with normal vision, the cornea bends (refracts) light precisely onto the retina at the back of the eye.

How does laser eye surgery work?

During this procedure, a laser reshapes the cornea, the transparent tissue that covers the eye and helps focus light. LASIK - clear vision without contacts or glasses!

Can LASIK fix my eye problems?

But reshaping the cornea (the dome-shaped transparent tissue at the front of your eye) itself also can provide the necessary refraction and vision correction. Before a LASIK procedure, your eye surgeon will assess detailed measurements of your eye and assess the overall health of the eye.

Does LASIK damage the eye?

July 27, 2018 -- Dry eyes, glare, halos, and starbursts are all possible side effects of LASIK surgery. But some people may also get long-term complications like eye infections, vision loss, chronic pain, and detached retinas.

Can you go blind with LASIK?

MYTH #2: You will go blind. Actually, as of this writing, there are no reported cases of blindness due to LASIK surgery itself. In a recent study, it was discovered that patients actually have a 34 times higher risk of going blind from a contact lens infection than going blind from LASIK.

Is LASIK or laser better?

The most important thing to know about the difference between laser surgery and Lasik surgery is that there is no difference. Lasik surgery is a type of laser surgery. In fact, Lasik is an acronym for the procedure that is formally known as laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.

What are the side effects of laser treatment for eyes?

LASIK Eye Surgery Side EffectsGlare.Seeing halos around images.Trouble driving at night.Fluctuating vision.Dry eyes.Scratchy eyes.Light sensitivity.Small bruises on your eye.

How long does LASIK last for?

While the effects of LASIK surgery are permanent, the benefits can decrease over time. For most patients, the results of LASIK will last a lifetime. About 10-12% of patients nationwide will need an enhancement surgery because of anatomical changes to the eye/eyes.

Is LASIK Worth the Cost?

Thinking about having a LASIK procedure done to correct your vision? Many people who have had a LASIK procedure agree that it's well worth the cost. Over time, a LASIK procedure will pay for itself, especially if you typically wear high quality contact lenses.

What can LASIK not fix?

What LASIK Cannot CorrectAmblyopia. Also known as lazy eye, amblyopia is muscle-related and typically found in children. ... Cataracts. Cataracts are typically found in people who are over the age of 65 and make your vision cloudy or foggy. ... Glaucoma. ... Keratoconus. ... Myopia.

Can you get LASIK twice?

Is it possible to have LASIK surgery twice? The short answer is yes, though this is usually only done 5 – 10 years after the initial treatment. However, rest assured that LASIK offers long-term vision correction, and very few people require a second session.

Is LASIK permanent?

Lasik is a laser based surgery in which cornea is reshaped with the help of laser. The change of curvature of the cornea helps in reducing the eye power. In majority of people after Lasik the effect is permanent. However a small minority of people may notice blurring of vision in future due to some new eye power.

Is eye laser painful?

Good news is, LASIK eye surgery is not painful. Right before your procedure, your surgeon will place numbing eye drops into both of your eyes. While you may still feel a little bit of pressure during the procedure, you won't feel any pain.

Do you need glasses after laser surgery?

There's no guarantee that you can toss your glasses or contacts after successful surgery. You may still need glasses to drive at night or read. If you have a strong prescription, there's a chance you'll still need glasses most of the time after laser surgery. Lens implants might be better.

Is LASIK painful after?

The pain after LASIK is not typically bad, though patients may sense irritation and increased sensitivity to light as they recover. A number of patients say that they notice a gritty or grainy feeling within their eyes after LASIK, which is a common response as well.

What Does Lasik Eye Surgery involve?

There are several variations of laser refractive surgery. LASIK is the best known and most commonly performed. Many articles, including this one, w...

Do You Understand Possible Side Effects and Complications?

While complications that result in a loss of vision are rare, certain side effects, particularly dry eyes and temporary visual disturbances are fai...

Lasik Versus Reading Glasses

By their early to mid-40s, all adults lose some ability to focus on nearby objects (presbyopia), which results in difficulty reading small print or...

Can You Go Without Your Contact Lenses For Several Weeks Before Surgery?

This is usually not an issue, but know that you'll have to completely stop wearing your contact lenses and switch to glasses for at least a few wee...

What Are Your Expectations For Lasik?

Most people who undergo LASIK surgery will have good to excellent vision in most situations, for many years or decades. You'll be able to play spor...

How Do You Choose An Eye Surgeon?

Most people don't have firsthand knowledge about LASIK or an eye surgeon. A good starting point when choosing an eye surgeon is to talk with the ey...

What is lasik surgery?

What Is LASIK Eye Surgery? LASIK, which stands for laser in-situ keratomileusis, is a popular surgery that can correct vision in people who are nearsighted or farsighted, or who have astigmatism.

How long has lasik been around?

LASIK Eye Surgery Benefits. The benefits of LASIK include: It’s been around for over 25 years. About 96% of patients reach their vision goals afterward. An enhancement can raise this number even more. There’s very little, if any, pain involved. There aren’t any bandages or stitches.

How long does it take for your eyes to heal after cataract surgery?

Most patients notice better vision within a few days. Call your doctor if you have any problems or unusual side effects. Don’t swim or use a hot tub for 2 weeks after surgery. You might get a plastic shield to protect your eyes while you’re sleeping for a few days.

What to expect before lasik?

Before LASIK, you’ll meet with a coordinator or eye surgeon who will talk about what to expect during and after the procedure. They’ll ask about your medical history and do a full eye exam. This may include tests to measure the thickness of your cornea, refraction, and eye pressure.

Can you use reading glasses after lasik?

Learn more about recovering from LASIK eye surgery. Your vision can still change after LASIK. You might have to use reading glasses as you get older. More than 10% of people need a second LASIK procedure some time later to restore the effects.

Does insurance cover lasik?

Rarely, you may lose your "best" correctable vision, the highest degree of vision that you had while wearing contacts or eyeglasses, after LASIK. Most insurance doesn’t cover LASIK. Some patients have discomfort in the first day or two after LASIK eye surgery. Other side effects are rare and usually go away over time.

Do you need to wear contacts after lasik?

There aren’t any bandages or stitches. If your vision changes as you age, your doctor can adjust it. You probably won’t need to use glasses or contacts as much, or at all, after LASIK.

What is lasik surgery?

LASIK is a type of refractive eye surgery. In general, most people who have laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery achieve 20/25 vision or better, which works well for most activities. But most people still eventually need glasses for driving at night or reading as they get older.

Why do you need reading glasses after lasik surgery?

LASIK surgery removes this near focus because the nearsightedness has been corrected. This means that as you get older you will need to use reading glasses. Many people are happy to trade clear distance vision when they are younger for having to wear "cheaters" for reading when they are older.

What is the term for blurry vision?

With nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) or astigmatism, they end up being focused elsewhere, resulting in blurred vision. Nearsightedness (myopia) is a condition in which you see nearby objects clearly, but distant objects are blurry.

How long does it take for a tear to heal after lasik surgery?

Dry eyes. LASIK surgery causes a temporary decrease in tear production. For the first six months or so after your surgery, your eyes may feel unusually dry as they heal.

What is the best laser eye surgery?

LASIK is the best known and most commonly performed. Many articles, including this one, will use the term "LASIK" to refer to all types of laser eye surgery. Normally, images are focused on the retina in the back of your eye.

What is keratoconus eye?

An eye disease that results in a progressive deterioration of your vision and thinning of your cornea (keratoconus). In fact, if keratoconus runs in your family, even if you don't have it, be very cautious about elective eye surgery. Keratitis, uveitis, herpes simplex affecting the eye area, and other eye infections.

How old do you have to be to get lasik?

Therefore, people must be over age 18, and preferably older, before considering LASIK eye surgery.

What is the laser used for LASIK?

LASIK and other forms of laser refractive surgery, such as PRK and LASEK, all use a highly specialized excimer laser to reshape the cornea and correct refractive errors including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism.

What tool is used for lasik eye surgery?

You also might want to ask whether your surgeon uses a femtosecond laser or a bladed surgical tool ( microkeratome) to create the corneal flap in LASIK eye surgery and how these two approaches might differ in terms of your comfort.

How does an excimer laser work?

An excimer laser corrects nearsightedness by flattening the cornea; it corrects farsightedness by making the cornea steeper. And astigmatism can be corrected by smoothing an irregular cornea into a more symmetrical shape. Excimer lasers are controlled by computer settings programmed to correct your specific refractive error.

What is an excimer laser?

Excimer lasers have the ability to remove, or "ablate," microscopic amounts of tissue from the cornea with a very high degree of accuracy and without damaging the surrounding corneal tissue. There are several excimer lasers that have been approved by the FDA for use in vision correction surgery performed in the United States, including:

What is the wavelength of excimer laser?

The excimer laser emits a cool beam of ultraviolet light of a specific wavelength (typically 193 nanometers) to precisely remove corneal tissue. When the surface of the cornea is reshaped in the right way, it allows light rays to focus properly onto the retina for clear vision.

Can a larger pupil affect laser vision?

In recent years, increasing evidence has indicated that larger pupil sizes may affect laser vision correction outcomes. If your pupil expands in low light beyond the diameter of the laser treatment zone on the cornea, you may experience vision problems such as glare and halos at night.

Do lasers have eye tracking?

Most modern excimer laser s have automated eye-tracking systems that monitor eye movements and keep the laser beam on target during surgery. Studies have shown that eye trackers produce better outcomes and decrease LASIK complications compared with past lasers that did not use eye-tracking systems.

Overview

LASIK is a type of eye surgery that uses lasers to fix vision problems, specifically those caused by refractive errors. A refractive error is where your eye fails to bend light properly, distorting your vision. It can cause, for example, blurry vision, nearsightedness and farsightedness.

Procedure Details

LASIK surgery is an outpatient procedure. You will not have to stay overnight in a hospital.

Recovery and Outlook

Recovery time from LASIK eye surgery is quick. You might be able to return to most of your normal activities as early as one day after the procedure. It might take longer for your eyes to heal if you’ve had a photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). This is because the cornea cells have to grow back.

When to Call the Doctor

Contact your ophthalmologist immediately if you’re in severe pain or if the side effects get worse. These symptoms could indicate a problem.

Additional Details

LASIK is a great option if you’re tired of wearing glasses or contacts. However, not everyone is allowed to have the procedure. Your ophthalmologist will have to determine if you’re a good candidate. Reasons why you might qualify include:

What is a lasik eye?

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis ( LASIK) is a common type of laser eye surgery used to treat vision problems, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. During this procedure, a laser reshapes the cornea, the transparent tissue that covers the eye and helps focus light. LASIK - clear vision without contacts or glasses! ...

Where is lasik surgery performed?

LASIK surgery is typically performed in an ophthalmologist’s office or outpatient facility. Your surgeon will numb the eye with anesthetic drops. An eyelid holder is placed between the eyelids to keep them open.

How long does it take to recover from lasik surgery?

Recovery time from LASIK varies. While some people notice improved vision within days, it may take three to six months for vision to stabilize. Ask a friend or family member to drive you home after the procedure and rest.

How much vision does lasik give you?

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), more than 90 percent of people who undergo LASIK achieve between 20/20 and 20/40 vision. While many people experience better vision for years to decades after surgery, you may still need glasses for reading and night driving, and your vision may still worsen over time.

Why do eye drops help?

Your doctor will give you eye drops to help prevent infection and relieve dryness. Common side effects include pain, dryness, poor low-light vision, light sensitivity, and blurry vision. Severe complications, such as vision loss or infection, are rare.

Can a ophthalmologist recommend lasik?

Your ophthalmologist will review your medical history. LASIK may not be recommended for people with certain pre-existing conditions, including autoimmu ne disorders, eye injuries or diseases, severe nearsightedness, or a weakened immune system.

How Does LASIK Work? (Brief Overview)

LASIK works by reshaping your corneal tissue. First, the surgeon creates a “corneal flap.” This is done with either a microkeratome (small blade) or a femtosecond laser.

What to Expect at Your LASIK Consultation

If you are interested in LASIK surgery to correct your vision, the first step on your journey is to schedule a consultation with a qualified LASIK surgeon. Most LASIK institutes offer free consultations to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.

LASIK Procedure (Step-by-Step)

The entire LASIK surgical procedure usually lasts 30 minutes or less for both eyes. Approximately 10 minutes is needed to complete the surgery on each eye.

LASIK Recovery

One of the reasons LASIK is so popular is because the recovery time is usually quite short. Many patients see well within 24 hours. Some even feel comfortable enough to drive or go back to work the following day.

What Makes a Good LASIK Candidate?

Not everyone is eligible for LASIK surgery. However, most adults with mild vision problems, who wear glasses or contacts, will get better vision from LASIK surgery.

How Much Does LASIK Cost?

The average cost of LASIK surgery in the United States is approximately $2,200 per eye or $4,400 for both.

The First Step: Numbing Eye Drops

Before the LASIK procedure, the doctor will administer eye drops. The drops contain a local anesthetic and will be instilled directly on your eye. Local anesthetics block the nerves in your eyes from sending pain signals to your brain. Your cornea has more nerve endings than any other body part.

Holding The Eye Open

By the time you are positioned under the laser system, the anesthetic will have taken hold, and you will not feel anything with your eyes. The doctor may give you medication to help you relax. An instrument known as a lid speculum will then be used to keep your eyelids open.

During Surgery

During Lasik surgery, the doctor will place a soft corneal suction ring to your eye to hold it in place in preparation for the flap creation process. You will experience some pressure during this process, which may be mildly uncomfortable.

After LASIK Surgery

Following LASIK surgery, you may experience irritation, itching, or burning in your eyes. It may also feel like something is lodged in your eyes. You may also experience blurry vision, and your eyes will tear or water frequently.

Will I Feel Pain During the Procedure?

Overall, LASIK surgery is not a painful procedure since local anesthesia is administered before the procedure to numb the corneal nerve endings. You will experience some mild pressure and discomfort and transient vision dimming when the suction ring is placed on your eye during the flap creation process.

Why It's Done

Risks

How You Prepare

What You Can Expect

• LASIKsurgery may be an option for the correction of one of these vision problems: 1. Nearsightedness (myopia).When your eyeball is slightly longer than normal or when the cornea curves too sharply, light rays focus in front of the retina and blur distant vision. You can see obje…

See more on mayoclinic.org

Results