What is LASIK Eye Surgery?
LASIK eye surgery is a type of refractive surgery that is performed on the cornea. The surgery is used to correct vision problems, such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. In LASIK eye surgery, the doctor uses lasers to reshape the cornea.
Wavefront analysis
Using a wavefront analyzer to perform LASIK eye surgery is a promising technology. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the eye, allowing the surgeon to determine whether or not a patient is at risk for post-LASIK side effects. It can also help the surgeon make an accurate treatment plan.
Using a wavefront analyzer, the doctor can detect subtle problems with the lens or cornea that may not be apparent with a traditional eye exam. The doctor can then feed the data into the laser for more accurate treatment.
In addition, the information gathered from the wavefront analyzer can help the surgeon determine whether or not the patient is a good candidate for a LASIK procedure. It can also help rule out conflicting test results.
In addition to detecting subtle eye disorders, wavefront analysis can also be used to measure higher-order aberrations (HOAs). These aberrations are unique to each patient and are difficult to detect with a conventional eye exam. It is estimated that higher-order aberrations account for 10 percent of the total refractive error in the average eye. They can affect the optical quality of the eye, and they may also cause glare, night vision problems, and halos.
The complete Optical Analysis System (COAS) uses a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor to measure lower-order and higher-order aberrations. It can also display Zernike polynomials, which are the modes of ocular aberrations.
In the case of keratoconus, higher-order aberrations represent the majority of optical aberrations. They cannot be detected during a conventional eye exam, and they are too complex to be corrected with a glasses lens prescription. In addition, the treatment plan must account for the unpredictable changes in the shape of the cornea that occurs due to wound healing.
Measurement of your cornea
LASIK eye surgery is a laser procedure that corrects refractive errors, such as nearsightedness and farsightedness. The eye surgeon uses a special laser to cut the cornea and flatten it. This procedure is an FDA-approved treatment and is safe for healthy eyes. However, it has some risks and side effects.
Before you have LASIK eye surgery, you should take some steps to determine if your cornea is healthy enough for the procedure. A doctor will examine your entire body, including the inside and outside surfaces of your eye. He or she will also check for any diseases or abnormalities.
One of the most important things to know about the cornea is its thickness of it. The average cornea is about 540 to 560 microns thick. It is not possible to make LASIK eye surgery work with a cornea that is thinner than that. Depending on the prescription, you may need more corneal tissue removed.
In addition, you should have an adequate tear film to help speed up the healing process. This will help reduce complications after the procedure. A tear film will also help prevent glare and reduce the risk of retinal detachment.
A good LASIK candidate has a corneal thickness of 450 to 550 microns. If you have a refractive error that is higher than this, you will likely need to have more tissue removed.
There are several systems that can measure the thickness of your cornea. One method is called pachymetry. A small ultrasound probe is placed at the center of the eye, and measurement is given. Another is called optical coherence tomography.
There are also a number of systems that measure the structure of the cornea.
Evaluation of your eye in detail
During the evaluation of your eye before LASIK eye surgery, your doctor will perform a variety of tests to assess the health of your eyes. You may also be asked to refrain from wearing contact lenses for two weeks before the evaluation. This will allow your eyes to return to their natural shape and allow your eye doctor to get the most accurate measurements.
A high-resolution scan is also used to assess the health of your eyes. It provides detailed information about the shape and function of your retina. The information can also be used to identify any potential eye disorders.
A high-powered microscope is also used during the evaluation. This enables the doctor to check for various eye disorders. In addition, the doctor will evaluate the shape and thickness of your cornea. This helps determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK.
An anterior chamber examination is also performed to examine your iris and the crystalline lens. The doctor will look for any signs of iris atrophy, atrophy of the cornea, and iritis.
The doctor may also perform an eye pressure test using a contact device. This test is the preferred method for glaucoma detection.
The doctor will also check your tear film. This helps ensure a smooth healing process after LASIK eye surgery. The tear film also helps accelerate the healing process of your cornea.
The doctor will also perform a corneal curvature test. This test will help check if your cornea is curved, or whether it has any abnormalities. If your cornea is abnormally curved, you will not be a good candidate for LASIK.
During the evaluation of your eye before Lasik eye surgery, your doctor may also perform a corneal mapping test. This test will evaluate the shape and thickness of your cornea and record your visual acuities with and without corrective lenses.
Lasers used
LASIK eye surgery uses lasers to change the shape of the cornea. Lasers are incredibly precise and allow the eye surgeon to treat the cornea with minimal pain. They are not harmful to the eye’s surrounding tissues. They also allow the patient to be awake during the procedure.
Lasers are used in many types of surgeries, but they are particularly effective in LASIK eye surgery. The lasers used in LASIK surgery are called excimer lasers. They are a type of ultraviolet laser that produces a cool beam of 193 nm photons. The 193 nm photon breaks the molecular bonds in the cornea. These broken bonds allow the cornea to smooth out.
There are several types of excimer lasers that are used in LASIK eye surgery. Some are designed to do fine correction and others are designed to perform aspheric treatments. There are also lasers that are used for lower-order aberrations.
During LASIK surgery, an ophthalmologist guides the laser into the cornea. The lasers are then focused onto the cornea, which is then reshaped to correct refractive errors.
During LASIK, the patient’s eyelids are kept open. Numbing eye drops are administered throughout the surgery to reduce discomfort. The patient may smell a burning odor during the procedure. There may also be a clicking sound.
The excimer laser breaks the cornea’s carbon-to-carbon bonds. The broken bonds are vaporized, allowing the underlying corneal tissue to be smooth.
The laser also has a low fluence level, which means that the amount of tissue that is ablated per pulse is reduced. This reduces the time it takes to treat the cornea and also smoothes out the stromal bed.
LASIK surgery has many benefits, but there are also some drawbacks. The most obvious drawback is that it can cause blurry vision. This is because the laser reshapes the cornea, making it steeper for farsighted corneas.
Side effects
LASIK eye surgery is a safe and reliable procedure, and the majority of patients enjoy clear vision. However, some patients experience minor side effects. These are generally temporary and are not a cause for alarm. If you have concerns, speak with your doctor or surgeon.
The most common LASIK eye surgery side effects are dry eye, glare, and increased light sensitivity. These side effects typically subside within a few weeks.
Some patients also experience haloes or starbursts around lights. These are not necessarily a result of LASIK but are part of the healing process. The haloes should dissipate within the first year of LASIK.
Other side effects may include blurry vision, sensitivity to light, or double vision. These symptoms are not a cause for alarm, but they should be reported to your eye doctor.
The best way to combat these side effects is to keep your eyes closed for a few hours after surgery. This will help minimize discomfort, promote healing, and ease the pain.
If you experience any of these side effects, talk to your doctor to see if they can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication. In some cases, your eye doctor may prescribe artificial tears to replenish the moisture lost during LASIK.
In general, the best way to minimize LASIK side effects is to attend all follow-up visits. Your doctor will measure your eye and review your medical history. During this time, your eye doctor may also recommend treatments to improve your vision.
The most important thing to know about LASIK is that the procedure is not a miracle cure. While a majority of patients enjoy clearer vision, it does not prevent future vision problems.
Health Sources:
Health A to Z. (n.d.). HSE.ie. https://www2.hse.ie/az/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Directory Health Topics. (n.d.). https://www.healthline.com/directory/topics
Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
