LASIK Surgery - Introduction

Welcome to our LASIK Surgery website. Here you will find important information about LASIK surgery. We also provide news about LASIK in terms of latest developments, insights, breakthroughs, and any new information that may be of value for the LASIK Surgery candidate and LASIK surgeon. Here you will also find general eye health news, and news from the world of optometry, ophthalmology, and general eye research.

Here we also provide a book store. Our book store consists of a large collection of books about LASIK Surgery, eye health, and alternative vision correction. So if you want to learn more about these interesting topics, we invite you to browse our book store. Anyone who is considering LASIK Surgery for vision correction should purchase at least one book on the subject. Knowledge is the key in terms of making the right decision with regards to whether LASIK Surgery is right for you.

Here you will also find our chat room about LASIK surgery. Anyone who has an interest in LASIK can use our chat room. Our chat room allows for an unlimited number of users. All we ask is that the conversations within our chat room stay within the realm of LASIK surgery and related topics.

Our goal here is to not sell you on LASIK, but to simply provide you with the information you need so that you can make an informed decision. This is why on this page you will see ads for LASIK and for natural vision correction. We provide the information, and let you follow the path you feel you should take in terms of vision correction without glasses.

For the LASIK Surgery candidate, you will also find here a short discussion on what LASIK is, the differences between LASIK and LASEK, and the risks involved in this type of surgery. Our mission is simple. We want to be your primary source for LASIK surgery information and lasik news. Both the LASIK candidate and LASIK surgeon should find this site interesting.

LASIK Surgery - What is LASIK Surgery?

LASIK is an acronym for laser assisted in situ keratomileusis. To understand LASIK Surgery, we must first develop an understanding of basic eye anatomy and physiology.

We all learned back in basic biology that the eye produces an image by having the light rays of that image focus at a focal point on the surface of the retina. The function of the cornea is to focus those light rays onto the retina. The image is inverted, and the photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) of the retina send impulses, which represent the image, to the optical portion of the brain. Within the brain the image is placed right side up. This is a simplified overview of how we see an image.

Image courtesy of ThinkQuest

The specific spherical shape of the cornea allows for the focal point of the image to be precisely on the retina. But what happens if the shape of the cornea is to flat or to steep.

If the cornea shape is to steep, this results in the image being focus in front of the retina, resulting in a blurred image. This is called nearsightedness. If the cornea shape is to flat, then the image becomes focused behind the retina, commonly referred to as farsightedness. If only part of the cornea is to steep, where only part of the image is focused on the retina, this also produces a blurred image and is called astigmatism.

Nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism are the reasons why people wear glasses or contacts. So how does LASIK surgery correct for these anomalies in visual acuity. LASIK surgery involves shaping the cornea so that it is not to steep or to flat. LASIK surgery corrects for these spherical aberrations. After LASIK surgery, the image should be focused on the retina, and hence there is no need for glasses or contacts.

LASIK Surgery - LASIK is not LASEK

What is the difference between LASIK and LASEK eye surgery. To understand this difference we must first develop an understanding of the procedure for LASIK Surgery. The procedure is as follows:

Image courtesy of Ophthalmic Consultants, P.C.

1) A flap of superficial corneal tissue is created by cutting the top tissue layer which lies above the cornea. This is done by using a motorized blade called a microkeratome.
2) The flap is pulled back which results in exposing the cornea.
3) The laser energy is applied to the cornea.
4) The flap is then placed back to its original position.
5) The flap adheres without the need for sutures.

So what is the difference between LASIK surgery and LASEK surgery? LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis) is a variation of LASIK and involves cutting an ultra-thin layer of epithelium lining the front of the cornea. The tissue then is moistened with diluted alcohol and moved aside for laser treatment. Like the corneal flap created in LASIK surgery, the epithelial flap in LASEK is replaced to serve as a type of “bandage” to promote healing. LASEK is used as an alternative to LASIK for those individuals who have unusually thin tissue overlying the cornea and other eye anomalies.

LASIK Surgery - Possible LASIK Surgery Complications

God has given us one set of eyes, so obviously the prudent LASIK Surgery candidate will acquire all available information about LASIK before undergoing this procedure. As in all medical procedures, there are risks associated with LASIK and LASEK surgery. But fortunately, technological breakthroughs in ophthalmology has reduced the risk involved.

In the late 1990’s, LASIK eye surgeons reported about 5% of individuals who underwent the procedure developed some sort of complication. Today, LASIK eye surgeons are reporting about a 1% complication rate. Some studies indicate that the incidence of LASIK surgery patients having unresolved complications six months after surgery is 3% to 6%. Slightly different data outcomes indicates that most likely different studies have slightly different sets of possible complications incorporated into their surveys.

What are some of the possible complications of LASIK eye surgery? The known complications of LASIK surgery are as follows:

* Some light sensitivity
* Possibly halos and glare may develop. These conditions occur if light enters the eye around the edge of the treatment area. This can usually be fixed with an additional treatment.
* To much or to little correction.
* Astigmatism may develop. This can occur if the healing of the cornea is not uniform.
* Regression. Regression is when your eyes go back to their original prescription after LASIK surgery.
* Contrast Sensitivity.

It is important that you talk to your LASIK eye surgeon and ask about all possible complications and discuss the probability of each complication from a statistical perspective. The risks associated with LASIK surgery have usually been associated with how the cornea tissue layer was cut, so that the cornea could be exposed for laser application.

Traditionally, an instrument known as a microkeratome has been used to cut the cornea tissue. This sometimes produced irregular edges from the cutting process, and this resulted in complications. A company called IntraLase has developed a laser which allows for a very clean cut with no irregularities. The use of the IntraLase laser has resulted in fewer complications from LASIK surgery.

LASIK Surgery - Conclusion

Here at our LASIK Surgery website, we want to be your primary source of all news about LASIK. By being informed on all aspects of LASIK, the LASIK candidate can then make the appropriate decision in terms of whether to undergo such a procedure.