What Is Lasik Eye Surgery?

 LASIK is a common vision correction procedure. The term LASIK is an acronym for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. This is a type of refractive laser eye surgery that corrects near sightedness, far sightedness and astigmatism.

The actual operation is made by creating a thin flap on the eye, then folding it to enable remodeling of the tissue underneath with a laser. The flap is then repositioned and the eye is left to heal in the postoperative period.
Before the surgery takes place, the patient’s corneas are examined to determine their thickness and their surface contour. With the use of low powered lasers a map is created of the cornea. This process is done to determine any irregularities in the shape of the cornea. With this information, the surgeon can calculate the amount and locations of corneal tissue that need to be removed. The patient is routinely given an antibiotic to take beforehand. This is done to minimize the risk of infection after surgery.While the operation is done with the patient awake, most of the time the patient is given a mild sedative and anesthetic.
LASIK surgery is performed in two steps. The first step is to create a flap of corneal tissue. The second step is remodeling or reshaping the cornea underneath the flap with laser. Finally, the flap is repositioned.

Once the eye is immobilized, the flap is created. This part of the surgery is accomplished with a surgical instrument known as a microkeratome. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is then folded back, revealing the stroma, which is the middle section of the cornea.
The second step of the LASIK procedure is done using an excimer laser. This instrument remodels the corneal stroma. This laser removes tissue in a very precise manner that does not damage the surrounding tissue.

After the laser has reshaped the stromal layer, the flap is carefully repositioned over the treatment area by the surgeon, and checked for the presence of air bubbles, debris, and proper fit on the eye.

The flap remains in position by natural adhesion until healing is completed.