| Lasik & PRK Surgery |
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What is LASIK?
LASIK, or Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is designed to correct multiple levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism and reduce your reliance on corrective eyewear. Also known as refractive surgery, LASIK is a surgical procedure using laser energy to reshape the cornea for better eyesight. Through the use of an instrument called a microkeratome or a laser, a small, thin flap on the outer most surface of the cornea is created and retracted to expose the topographical bumps that are affecting the vision. A laser then smooths over the bumps to leave an even surface. The flap is repositioned without the need for stitches or "glue", and patients are typically sent on their way no later than an hour or two after they arrived. The entire procedure takes only about 15 minutes - the remaining time is pre-operative care and post-operative monitoring. The eye surgeons at Illinois Eye Center have been successfully treating patients with LASIK for many years and it is one of our most popular procedures. Am I a Good LASIK Candidate? Most patients who come to us for refractive surgery are excellent candidates for LASIK. Because everyone's eyes are different, however, your surgeon may decide that LASIK is not the best vision correction option for you. Our commitment to superior technology means that our patients have an excellent chance of achieving optimum results. Your surgeon will review a number of factors including your eye history, current prescription and current health to determine the procedure that suits you best. The best candidates for LASIK surgery meet the following criteria:
What Can I Expect After LASIK? While everyone's experience with LASIK may be slightly different, surgeons have guidelines and recommendations to follow for a reason. Knowing what is to be expected of you, as well as what will happen with your eyesight after surgery, will make a big difference in enjoying the benefits LASIK has to offer. When considering LASIK, you will want to discuss options thoroughly with our refractive coordinator and your surgeon to learn as much as you can about what is involved. As a patient, it is important that you have a clear understanding of the surgery, the procedure's advantages and risks, and what to expect after the procedure is complete. Since LASIK at Illinois Eye Center is performed on Fridays, most patients are able to return to work and other normal activities after a weekend of "taking it easy". It is recommended that you go to sleep right after the procedure to reduce any post-operative irritation. Your surgeon will provide you with a sleep aid. When you wake up, you should already notice improved vision. There is usually little to no post-operative discomfort after LASIK surgery, though follow-up exams during recovery are required to ensure that your eyes heal properly. Possible LASIK Complications The vast majority of people who have LASIK performed obtain excellent results that live up to or exceed their expectations. Advances in LASIK technology and surgical techniques have improved outcomes and decreased risks and complications associated with the procedure. However, like any other modern surgical procedure, laser eye surgery is not entirely risk free. LASIK complications are very rare. But even with the best surgeons, best-screened patients, and best equipment, the small risk of certain complications remains. Studies have consistently shown that LASIK complications decline as surgeon experience increases, so you can help your chances of a good outcome by selecting a surgeon who has performed a large number (greater than 1000) of these procedures. Dry Eyes and LASIK LASIK may cause some patients to experience dry eyes after their surgery. This may be more true if there was a tendency toward dry eyes before the LASIK procedure. During LASIK, a thin layer of tissue (called a "flap") is created, under which the actual laser energy is applied to reshape the cornea and correct the refractive error of the eye. Anatomically, when the flap is formed, the very fine corneal nerves may be interrupted. These nerves are required in order to "signal" the tear gland to produce tears. So, occasionally, the temporary interruption of corneal nerve impulses can cause a lesser quantity of tears to be produced, resulting in a dry eye state. Sometimes, if the dry eyes after LASIK are moderate or severe, your vision may actually be blurry due to instability of the tear film. In these cases, your LASIK surgeon may elect to treat you for dry eyes before the procedure. This will help fortify the tear film so that you will have a more comfortable and less symptomatic recovery. As a general rule, all LASIK patients benefit from using artificial tears or lubricating drops after the procedure as it helps the tear film re-establish itself. During your consultation it is important to mention any symptoms you may have of dry eyes and to disclose any medications you are taking that might predispose you to dry eyes after your LASIK procedure. In this way, your LASIK surgeon can take the necessary steps to prescribe whatever is necessary to obtain the best possible results for you. Fortunately, virtually all symptoms of dry eye after LASIK are temporary and gradually decrease until they resolve over a few months. Presbyopia If you are 40 and considering LASIK, presbyopia is an important concept to understand. Presbyopia is a normal and expected consequence of the aging process. The crystalline lens within your eyes is composed of proteins. These proteins are soft and flexible when you are younger. Typically beginning in your early 40's, presbyopia occurs as the protein composition of the crystalline lens changes, making it harder and less flexible. When the crystalline lens loses its ability to flex, it is no longer able to change its shape and effectively bend light rays as sharply. This diminishes the eye's ability to focus on near objects. When presbyopia begins, people who already wear glasses may need bifocals or trifocals, and those who have never worn glasses may require reading glasses. Today, there are strategies to help deal with the inconveniences of presbyopia. If you need to have your distance vision corrected because you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism and need some help with close vision because your are beginning to experience presbyopia, LASIK may be an option if performed as a specialized "monovision" LASIK. Monovision Monovision is a consideration for people experiencing presbyopia and interested in LASIK. Typically with monovision, the dominant eye (usually in line with your dominant hand) is corrected for clear distance vision. The non-dominant eye is then purposefully corrected in a way that yields better vision up close. Patients over forty must make a choice. Either both eyes are corrected for distance, or one eye is corrected for distance and the other for near. If a patient is unsure of what they would like, contact lenses can often be used to simulate post-operative results. If you are over 40, or wear bifocals or reading glasses, your LASIK surgeon will want to discuss monovision during your consultation in order to make sure you end up with a satisfying and functional result. PRK As Another Option Photorefractive Keratectomy, or PRK, has been around longer than LASIK and remains a great vision correction option. Not everyone's eyes may be structurally suited for LASIK surgery, so PRK could be an option in these cases. One such instance is if a patient has a cornea that is significantly thinner than average. We use special instruments to measure this during the pre-operative consultation and will discuss the issue if it is relevant to your case. PRK involves shaping the actual surface of the cornea rather than creating a "flap" and reshaping the tissue below it. PRK may be slightly less comfortable than LASIK surgery — PRK can also have a longer recovery period with blurred vision for longer — but the cells heal and the eventual visual result is excellent. The lack of a remaining flap makes PRK a good treatment choice for patients who have particularly thin corneas or jobs (some branches of the military) and interests (mixed martial arts) that may cause impact to the eye itself. LASIK Results The choice to undergo LASIK is exciting. Better vision has literally changed the lives of millions of people. But deciding to have LASIK is a big decision that requires careful consideration and planning. Our highly experienced surgeons and our professional vision team are ready to address your concerns and answer all of your questions so you can achieve an excellent visual outcome. We offer FREE LASIK consultations to determine whether LASIK is right for you. Call 309.243.2400 to schedule your appointment today. |
