LASIK & Refractive Surgery

Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) combines the Excimer laser with an instrument called a microkeratome. The microkeratome makes a thin flap in the superficial cornea that is lifted upwards. The Excimer laser reshapes the underlying corneal tissue, and the flap is replaced. The flap seals within 24 hours of the procedure. This procedure is used for moderate to high levels of myopia and astigmatism.

PRK was invented in 1987 although it was not FDA approved in the U.S. until 1995. Several million people in Europe and Canada have had this procedure prior to its approval in the U.S. The microkeratome has been in use for over ten years for other corneal procedures. It has been combined with the Excimer laser for LASIK for the last several years.

The procedures themselves are painless. With PRK there is discomfort after the procedure for 1 to 3 days as the epithelium (the outer corneal layer) heals. With LASIK there is little discomfort as the outer layer of the cornea is undisturbed.

Most of our patients have both eyes treated at the same time because there is only one recovery period, and the healing time is minimal. If you have only one eye treated, be aware that you may experience headaches and disorientation from the different refractions in each eye.

Vision is typically blurry immediately after either procedure. The vision clears up with PRK in approximately 1-2 weeks and within 1-2 days for LASIK. Because the healing process is different for each patient, it is hard to predict when vision will stabilize.

As with any procedure, we cannot guarantee perfect results after the procedure. Ten years of PRK studies show that 95% of patients see 20/40 or better without additional correction. This is legal driving vision. Some people only need their glasses for certain activities after the procedure and some have eliminated the need for glasses altogether. Presbyopia, a condition that affects EVERYONE around age 40 and requires them to wear reading glasses, cannot be corrected by any refractive surgery.

Both procedures are permanent. The tissue is completely removed and does not grow back.

Yes, the advantage to these procedures is that you can wear soft or gas permeable lenses after the procedure, if needed.

If you are wearing glasses and have a stable refractive error, the procedure can be performed at any time. If you are wearing soft contact lenses you will need to be out of the lenses for approximately 1-2 weeks. If you are wearing gas permeable, hard lenses, or sleep in your contact lenses, you will need to be out of the lenses for approximately 1 month.

We prefer to have patients treated who are over 21 years old and have a stable refraction. You are not eligible if you have diabetes, collagen vascular disease (Lupus,etc.), keratoconus, autoimmune disease (HIV), wear a pacemaker, or are a keloid former. There are also other conditions that could eliminate you as a candidate; therefore a complete eye exam is needed to determine if you are eligible.

Everyone heals at a different rate. Some people have surgery on Thursday and return to work on Friday, others take several days off work. You should not drive for at least 48 hours after either procedure.

Eye Care Center provides working arrangements with eye surgeons and more specialized eye care doctors to provide many of the surgical services such as cataract surgery, laser surgery, refractive surgery and strabismus surgery, retinal detachments, retinal tears and hemorrhages. You can be assured that your eyes will be comprehensively managed by the best eye care professionals.