What it is?
             LASIK surgery ( Nearsightedness surgery, Radial keratotomy or Refractive surgery)  corrects Cornea with mild to moderate nearsightedness so you no longer need to wear glasses or contacts.

Description   
              Local anesthetic drops are placed over cornea.  The exact type of surgery done varies with each person. In many cases, the surgeon will use an instrument called a keratome to lift a piece of tissue from the surface of the cornea. A laser re-shapes the surface of the cornea and the tissue is put back into place. This method of refractive surgery offers fewer side effects compared to radial keratotomy, which was common in the 1980's. Usually both eyes are done in the same session.

 

             The cornea is the clear covering over the colored iris and pupil of the eye. The cornea and lens of the eye help focus light on the retina so that the eye can see.

Indications   
In addition to treat nearsightedness procedures are also available to treat farsightedness and astigmatism.

Risks   
             The vision may not be completely restored after surgery. This is called under-correction. In some cases, vision may be over-corrected.
After surgery some patients may have:

• Spots (halos) in the eyes
• Difficulty seeing at night due to glare (light sensitivity)
• Dislodgement of the flap, even long after surgery
• Infections of the cornea that may lead to permanent vision loss (unusual)
• Scarring that may lead to permanent vision loss (unusual)
• Dry eye

             While you are awake and pain-free (using local anesthesia), a series of delicate incisions are made around the cornea. This flattens the center of the cornea in order to change the focus of light rays on the retina. Each eye is operated on separately, and on different days.

Expectations after surgery   
             Patients have an immediate improvement in vision. Long-term studies show that most people who have this procedure will see close to 20/20 without glasses. A few people (about 10%) will continue to need glasses or contact lenses. Rarely, there are serious complications that permanently decrease vision. Older patients who needed bifocals before surgery will still need reading glasses after the procedure.

Convalescence   
             Protective glasses may be worn for several days, although full recovery can take several months.
You can quickly return to most activities. However, avoid bumping the eye or placing it under in water (swimming, for example) for at least 4 weeks.

Lasik eye surgery I
             Anesthetic eye drops are given to numb the eye and the surgeon marks the cornea with water-soluble ink to guide replacement of the corneal flap.

Lasik eye surgery  2
             The surgeon performs a keratectomy which creates a corneal flap. A keratectomy is a procedure that uses a small instrument that makes a cut in the cornea as it moves across it. The flap is lifted and reflected exposing the cornea beneath.

Lasik eye surgery 3
A computer-controlled laser reshapes the cornea to the prescribed shape for clear vision.