What is LASIK Surgery?

LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) commonly referred to as Traditional LASIK, is a safe and effective procedure. LASIK is performed at an eye laser center and it is suitable not only for treating higher prescriptions but also for treating patients with moderate to low amounts of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. LASIK has a remarkable success rate, with 96% of patients achieving 20/20 vision or better, according to the American Society of Cataracts and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS)

Here is how LASIK works:

Normally, your eye "sees" with your cornea (front part of the eye) focusing light onto the retina (back part of the eye) to create an image. If the cornea is imperfectly shaped or if the eyeball is longer or shorter than normal, a distorted image is projected onto the retina resulting in blurry vision. For many years the only solution to this problem was corrective eyewear. Since the FDA's approval in 1998, LASIK has been the solution for more than 10.9 million people.

LASIK uses an excimer laser (a cool beam of light) to reshape the cornea in order to decrease or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. LASIK helps you see and look your best!

The LASIK procedure works by removing tiny amounts of tissue from the cornea slightly changing its shape and the angle at which light enters through it and is projected onto the retina.

Corneal reshaping involves a two-step process: first, the LASIK surgeon exposes the cornea to the laser. On the cornea surface, the LASIK surgeon creates a tiny "flap" (the cornea surface layer is called the epithelium). Once this is done, the laser gently reshapes the exposed cornea. Each pulse of the laser removes 39-millionths of an inch of tissue, enabling surgeons to achieve remarkable accuracy while maintaining excellent control throughout the procedure. The flap is then replaced, adhering naturally and securely to the eye, and you are on your way to better vision.

Other Corrective Eye Procedures

CK (Conductive Keratoplasty)

Custom LASIK (Wavefront)

IntraLase (All Laser LASIK)

LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis)

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)

How Safe is LASIK?

Dr. Joseph Dello Russo announced the results of a study that indicates for the first time that LASIK is safer than contact lenses. According to a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology, October 2006 edition, researchers have confirmed that LASIK surgery as performed this year is safer than contact lens use. Sight threatening infections from contact lens use occur in 1 in 2,000 contact lens wearers, whereas the study confirms that only one in 10,000 patients risk significant vision loss due to complications from LASIK, making LASIK the safest elective procedure being performed today.

- NEW YORK, Oct. 17 2006, PRNewswire