LASIK - laser eye surgery > LASIK procedure - The course of LASIK

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.

In the first phase of LASIK laser eye surgery partial lamellar incision of the cornea is performed (keratectomy) by microkeratome which results in the creation of the corneal lamella. To create the corneal lamellae it is necessary to create high vacuum (65mmHg) by a suction ring which is attached to the edge of the cornea. The corneal lamella which has a desired diameter and thickness between 130 and 160 micrometers of the corneal surface (1/3 up to 1/5 of its thickness) is created by special keratotome in a couple of seconds. The lamella stays connected to the eye through the bridge which can be localized intranasally or on the top according to the type of keratotome.

In the second phase of the surgery laser photoablation of the stromal bed is performed in the place of uncovered lamella by excimer laser. A surgeon directs an excimer laser which is programmed in such a way that it removes required amount of the tissue called the stroma from the internal part of the cornea. Active monitoring system of the device monitors the eye position and reacts to its potential movement. Cold laser ray with a diameter of 0.8mm removes micrometers of the tissue one layer after another. An organism does not compensate for removed tissue.

Thanks to its wavelength, a laser ray does not pass through the cornea and does not influence the tissues inside of the eye.

After terminating photoablation of the corneal surface which usually takes just a couple of seconds, the lamella is replaced on its original position which was labeled by marker by a surgeon before the procedure. The surgery is terminated when the lamella adheres properly and has a proper position. It is not necessary to apply contact lenses and also the lamella does not need to be sewed back because after a couple of minutes it will adhere and stick to the corneal stroma. The whole LASIK eye surgery takes approximately from 10 to 15 minutes.

LASIK eye surgery is usually performed on both eyes at once. After LASIK surgery the vision is restored very quickly. After only a couple of days most of the patients begin to see clearly with a minimum of distracting elements. A complete and final stabilization of the vision comes within one month. The patient will receive various types of eye drops (antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and lubricant eye drops) which have to be applied to the eye in first couple of days after the surgery.

The advantage of LASIK surgery is that it preserves undisrupted surface of the corneal epithelium and Bowman´s membrane (second layer of the cornea) in the optical axis.