Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)

LASIK has become a household name since bursting onto the vision correction seen in the mid-1990's. Patients have flocked to have LASIK performed on their eyes so that they would be able to see the world around them more clearly. Patients with extreme nearsightedness reaped most of the benefits in the early stages of LASIK surgery but advancements have been made that are helping more and more patients become eligible.

LASIK is a non-evasive procedure that can improve a person's vision within a matter of minutes. The first step of LASIK is the creation on the corneal flap. The surgeon will use a small tool known as a microkeratome to create the flap on the top of the eyelid. Once the flap has been created it will be pulled back so that the laser can begin to reshape the underlying cornea. After the cornea has been reshaped the flap will be placed back into position.

The corneal flap acts as a natural bandage for the eye. No stitches are required during LASIK because the flap adheres on its own to the rest of the eye. Directly after surgery you should go home and sleep so that the healing can start. The healing process lasts about two weeks and you should swimming and other rigorous activities that may disturb the healing process.

Your surgeon will schedule varies check-ups with you directly following the surgery. It is important that they monitor the healing process and the vision improvements over time. If your vision goal is not achieved after the procedure the enhancements can be performed to help you reach your ultimate vision goal.