LASIK Refractive Surgery
By Huel T. Heath, O.D.
LASIK (Laser In Situ Keratomileusis) is a type of refractive surgery
in which an excimer laser is used to reshape the corneal stromal
bed beneath a corneal flap created by a microkeratome, a surgical
device affixed to the eye by the use of a vacuum ring. This procedure
was developed to correct myopia (nearsightedness) but may also be
used to correct moderate amounts of astigmatism and hyperopia (farsightedness).
There are no shots or stitches placed in the eye. Anesthesia is
gained by the used of topical drops. The surgeon then makes a small
thin corneal flap with the use of the microkeratome. The flap is
rolled back and the excimer laser, which is programmed with the
patient's refractive correction, is then used to reshape the corneal
stromal bed. After this is done, which only takes 30 to 45 seconds,
the flap is rolled back in place and the other eye is done in the
same manner. Total elapsed time is usually about 5 minutes per eye.
The patient is then taken to a slit lamp biomicroscope and the doctor
makes sure the flaps are in good position. When the surgeon is satisfied
with the flap positions, the patient is allowed to go home and then
seen again the next day. The following day or the second day after
surgery, 95% of all patients are able to return to work. Unless
complications occur, the surgery is virtually pain free.
Ideal refractive errors for this surgery are from -1.00 to -6.00
diopters, but we have done up to -14.00. Astigmatism up to -4.00
can be corrected and farsighted patients up to +6.00. Over this
refractive error - CLE, or clear lens exchange, is a better option.
To find out if you could have LASIK, you need to have a complete
comprehensive eye exam with pachymetry (corneal thickness measurements),
dilated fundus exam (to check the retina and optic nerve), IOP (intraocular
pressure), topography (to check for corneal disease) and infrared
pupilometry (pupil size).
After and only after all these things are evaluated can you know
for sure if you can have LASIK. Can complications occur? Absolutely.
No surgery is without risk, but considering the percentage of people
with complications and those without - the risk is small. Ninety
percent of patients are 20/40 or better the day after surgery without
glasses and 75% of these are 20/25 or better.
If you have any questions about the surgery, please contact:
Huel Heath, O.D. or David Murphy, M.D.
Arkansas Clear Sight Laser Center
10816 Executive Center Dr. Ste. 120
Little Rock, AR 72211
(501) 537-3937