| LASIK
(Laser In-SItu Keratomilieusis) is the most widely performed
refractive surgery today, and with good reason too.
It has an excellent safety record, its results predictable,
it corrects a wide range of refractive errors, is essentially
painless, and the recovery is rapid.
LASIK is a 2-step process, involving:
1. the creation of a thin flap in
the outer cornea
2. lifting of the flap, and reshaping the deeper cornea
underneath to correct the power with an excimer laser.
The creation of the corneal flap
in the first step can be made with either a special
femtosecond laser (Intralase) or a metal oscillating
blade (microkeratome). While we have had great experience
with the metal blade for many years, the newer Intralase
method of flap creation is gaining popularity in recent
years. The reason for this is increased safety, and
possibly better visual results with all-laser LASIK,
where both first and second steps are done with 2 different
types of laser. This increased safety comes at a cost,
as all-laser LASIK is more expensive than LASIK with
a metal blade. The US Navy has endorse all-laser LASIK
as the only method of LASIK acceptable for its pilots
and aviators, while the space agency NASA has given
its endorsement to all-laser LASIK, approving it as
the only form of LASIK acceptable for its astronauts.
The types of refractive errors that
can be corrected include:
• Myopia or short-sightedness
• Astigmatism (cylinder)
• Presbyopia or aging sight, common in those above
40 years
• Hyperopia or long-sightedness
Much of the important work in LASIK
is actually done before the patient actually enters
the surgical suite. During the preoperative assessment,
many tests will be done to measure the eye and determine
if it is safe for the patient to go through with LASIK.
During testing, a special scan will measure whether
there is enough corneal thickness for the full correction
and whether there are eye conditions such as keratoconus
(an unstable cornea) that rule out LASIK surgery. During
the preop visit, your eyes’ refractive power will
be accurately measured, and a discussion as to what
sort of work you do together with your hobbies or leisure
activities, to determine the most suitable correction
for your individual needs. Your pupils will be dilated
with eyedrops so that a thorough examination of the
retina can be done to ensure that you have no retinal
problems or other eye conditions that need to be treated
first. Because of this pupil dilation, surgery is usually
not performed on the same day. Some surgeons go ahead
to do LASIK without proper pupil dilation and retinal
examination, but at EyeWise Vision Clinic we strongly
believe that your safety is paramount and so we do not
omit this step. A missed retinal tear can cause a retinal
detachment and vision loss following LASIK, so we properly
assess the retina before every case to ensure this does
NOT happen. We do not take any shortcuts.
Surgery usually takes about 10 minutes
per eye, and is painless. Sterile drapes are placed
over your face and a lid holder helps you keep your
eye open. A sensation of pressure may be felt when the
flap is made, but that is all the discomfort. Protective
polycarbonate spectacles will be given to you to wear
for your protection and comfort once the procedure is
done. Following surgery, you will experience some mild
blurriness and tearing for a few hours, together with
a mild scratchy sensation. We advise that you try to
nap for a few hours to minimize the discomfort to you
and to speed healing. By evening the discomfort should
be gone and the vision a lot clearer. You will need
to continue the postop eyedrops as prescribed to prevent
inflammation and infection. Patients are usually completely
well by the first postop day and may return to work.
We would advise you not to rub the eyes or open them
underwater for at least 10 days following surgery. Eye
makeup should not be applied for 7 days after surgery.
The first day, first week and first
month visits are necessary to ensure that things are
progressing well. A refraction (degree measurement) at each
of these visits will tell us how the degree has changed
since the surgery.
If you would like to book an appointment
for a pre-LASIK evaluation and are wearing contact lenses,
please be aware of the MINIMUM period that you should
be off contact lenses before the assessment.
For soft contact lenses, the minimum
period is 4 days off your contact lenses before coming
for a pre-LASIK evaluation. For Rigid Gas Permeable
(RGP) hard contact lenses, the period is 10 days. Contact
lenses cause some degree of warpage of your cornea,
and may affect our measurements of your eyes. We want
the most accurate measurements within practical limits,
and so require you to be off the contact lenses so that
your corneas may return to their natural shape and curvature.
Please contact EyeWise Vision Clinic
for an appointment for pre-LASIK evaluation. During
your consultation we will go through with you a number
of options depending on your visual needs, including
the option for all-laser LASIK, standard or customized
(wavefront) LASIK, and other concerns that you may have.
Contact
Dr. Christopher Khng | Make an
Appointment
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