The method of cutting the cornea with diamond knives has been used from 1970. LASIK method (laser in situ Keratomileusis), which was developed by professor Pallikaris in Crete, is one of many other surgical procedures used to correct refractive disorders. It is a modern excimer laser method. Historical roots of laser surgery LASIK go back to 1949 to Barraquer´s Keratomileusis based on which in 1966 Ruiz developed the method of automatic lamellar keratectomy (ALK). With the help of microkeratome he created a regular lamella on the surface of the cornea. Then after he uncovered it he performed second incision deeper into the stromal parts of the cornea which lead to desired flattening of the cornea.
No surgical procedure is always one hundred percent successful and the same stands for LASIK eye surgery during which various complications can occur. LASIK method carries with it higher risk of postoperative complications which are mainly connected with the creation of the corneal lamella. Other complications can be divided into complications which occur during the surgery and during the use of a laser and the postoperative complications.
LASIK eye surgery is performed in two phases under strict sterile conditions. The laser eye surgery is performed under ambulatory conditions. Before the surgery itself mydriatics are applied to the eyes and patient receives a mild sedatives. During the LASIK procedure the patient lies on a comfortable bed and he is positioned under the device and watches red fixed point. Anesthetic drops are applied to anaesthetize the eye. An eye surgeon pastes the eyelashes to skin with adhesive tape in order they do not interfere during the surgery. A holder is placed under the eyelids which prevents the eye from blinking during the surgery.
Briefly, laser stands for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation”. Laser light is created when energy is applied to a mixture of gases. Two gaseous elements such as argon and fluoride in a helium premix are jolted to a higher energy state with thousands of volts of electricity. These elements combine to form an unstable compound. As the excited ionized atoms dance within a mirrored tube that reflects the light back at them, they release an intense concentration of light energy. Eventually, the light beam becomes so energized that part of it escapes from the tube through a hole in the semi-silvered mirror. Such laser light – unlike sunlight – is focused in one direction at one wavelength. In other words, the light rays vibrate together in phase to form a “coherent” monochromatic laser beam.
Many people suffer from sight related problems and certain refractive disorder is the most common cause of deteriorated vision. Nowadays, there are many ways of correcting such disorders. Today, wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses is very common. But try to imagine that you take part in some more active and more contact involving sport and suddenly wearing eyeglasses is not an option anymore.
The recovery of vision after LASEK - laser eye surgery usually takes several days. The patient can see a few minutes after the procedure but the vision is blurred. To achieve good vision, the recovery of the outer epithelial layer is needed. Epithelium reattaches and regenerates in the period of three to four days. The smooth and gleamed surface of the eye then enables clear vision after four days.
The LASEK (laser eye surgery) procedure is performed as an ambulatory surgery. The patient lies on the comfortable table. The surface of his eye is completely numbed by the anaesthetic drops. The eye and its surroundings are covered by a sterile surgical dressing. A small lid speculum is fitted on the eyelids to prevent the eye from blinking during the procedure.
The photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a laser procedure used to correct a low and intermediate short-sightedness and astigmatism. In some special cases it could be used also to correct a higher shortsightedness. The method of PRK refractive eye surgery was used for the first time in 1987 in Western Berlin. When correcting shortsightedness by laser we have to remove the central area of the stroma and this leads to a desired change in the incurvation of the cornea by photoablation with the help of excimer laser. This enables to focus the rays of light again on the retina. When correcting astigmatism, the laser balances irregular incurvation of the cornea by removing the tissue. The procedure is carried out only after the removal of epithelium of the cornea.
The cool excimer laser, the most technologically advanced surgical tool to treat refractive errors, has revolutionized vision correction surgery. This remarkably precise ultraviolet laser creates invisible pulses of light that remove microscopic amounts of corneal tissue. Controlled by customized software, a computer calculates the number of laser shots required to achieve a patient's targeted refraction.
LASEK - laser eye surgery - is a laser procedure used to correct short sightedness, long sightedness and astigmatism. It is relatively a new method that combines benefits of LASIK method and PRK method. The biggest advantage of this procedure is its non-invasive character without any incision made in the corneal tissue and its simple technique. It is an ideal procedure for people who have a cornea that is too thin or too flat.