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What is LASIK?

Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a vision correction procedure which corrects three of the most common vision problems - nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism - by reshaping the front of the eye. LASIK combines the precision of the excimer laser with the 30-year history of lamellar keratoplasty (ALK) to give the patient with severe nearsightedness and astigmatism an opportunity to become less dependent upon glasses or contact lenses. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis in a matter of minutes.

Nearsightedness and Astigmatism

More than 70 million people in North America are nearsighted. The medical term is myopia. Many of those who are nearsighted also suffer form a condition called astigmatism. If you are nearsighted it means you can see "near" objects clearly, but objects farther away are blurry. Astigmatism causes images to appear distorted. The following diagrams show how a normal eye works and what causes nearsightedness and astigmatism to occur.

Normal Eye	Nearsighted, or Myopic, Eye	Astigmatic Eye

In a normal eye light rays flow through the cornea and lens and focus directly on the retina, producing clear vision.	In nearsightedness or myopia, the eye is too long or the cornea is too steep. Light rays focus in front of the retina causing distant objects to be blurry.	In an astigmatic eye, the cornea is irregularly shaped. This causes light rays to focus on several places, producing distorted images.

The Solution

In addition to glasses or contact lenses, low to mild degrees of nearsightedness and astigmatism can be corrected with refractive procedures. Your eye doctor can advise you which, if any, of the procedures might be right for you. The excimer laser, which is used in LASIK to reshape the cornea, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October 1995 for widespread use in the United States. LASIK has been used for several years in other parts of the world. Millions ofpeople have undergone the procedure.

How is LASIK Performed?

For those whose vision problems may be too extreme for PRK or RK, LASIK may be the answer. You will be seated in a chair similar to the ones used in a dentist's office. You will receive a local anesthetic in the form of eye drops. LASIK improves the curvature of the cornea by reshaping the inner layers of tissue with the laser instead of reshaping the outer surface, as with PRK. The following diagrams show how the surgery is accomplished:

Diagram 1.1	Diagram 1.2

First, a microkeratome is used to fold back the top layer of the cornea, creating a flap. Then, the beam from an excimer laser removes microscopic inner layers of cornea tissue to reshape the eye and improve the way light is focused by the eye.	Following the laser treatment, the flap is closed to complete the procedure

What happens after the procedure?

Most patients report no discomfort following LASIK. Others say there is some discomfort, which usually lasts from 12 to 24 hours. Vision may also be blurry at first, but this symptom should clear up in a few days. This usually allows both eyes to be treated within days of each other. It is important to keep follow-up appointments with your doctor to make sure your eyes are healing properly and to measure your visual progress.

What are the risks and benefits?

As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks as well as benefits. Since LASIK involves the inner layers of corneal tissue, it is a more precise procedure for the surgeon to perform than PRK. But, also because LASIK involves the inner layers of tissue, there is a reduced risk of complications with post-operative pain, infection and hazy cornea. The results of LASIK are more rapid and more dramatic than that with any other refractive procedure.

Ask your eye doctor

If you would like to know more about LASIK, talk to Dr. Sowby or Dr. Simms, who have both had the procedure. They will explain the procedure, its benefits, possible complications and alternatives. Because everyone's vision care needs are unique to them, only a consultation with your doctor and after a comprehensive eye examination can you determine if you would benefit from LASIK.