What is LASIK?
LASIK stands for Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis. It is a type of refractive surgery that uses a laser to change the shape of the eye in order to improve: nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and combinations of these visual disorders. Although it is not the only type of laser refractive surgery, LASIK is by far the most popular due to its short recovery time and relatively low risk of complications.
How does LASIK work?
LASIK changes a person’s vision by reshaping the outer layer of the eye called the cornea. Refractive errors (i.e nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism) occur when the cornea is not shaped correctly. For example, in the nearsighted eye, the cornea is too steep. When light enters the eye, it does not focus on the back of the eye (the retina) as it should, but in front of it. LASIK works by changing the shape of the cornea so that the light focuses on retina, producing clear images.
How is the procedure performed?
LASIK is done in an outpatient facility. The Laser treatment procedure takes about one minute or less per eye but the process from check in to check out is about one hour. This includes the procedure itself and pre-operative testing. To begin the procedure, first the eyes are numbed with anesthetic drops, after which the eyelids are held open with a special device called a lid speculum. A very thin flap is formed. Then after this the EXCIMER laser is applied to precisely reshape the cornea. The flap is then laid back into place. Dr. Perrone almost always uses the VISX STAR S4 LASER system for LASER correction. The VISX Excimer laser system is the most advanced laser technology available today. Integrating data collected via the WaveScan, WaveFront System, the STAR S4 utilizes Variable Spot Scanning (VSS), to conserve tissue and minimize treatment time. Variable Repetition Rate(VRR), delivers treatment at varying rates while optimizing treatment time. ActiveTrak 3-D Active Eye Tracking, captures all 3 dimensions of intra-operative eye movements without necessitating dilation and the ActiveTrak Automatic Centering automatically fixes the treatment at the center of the pupil. With Dr.Perrone, you will receive the finest treatment that modern medicine and science has to offer. Contrast sensitivity, face recognition, night vision; these are all the factors that make up what is known as ‘visual quality’. Traditional laser vision correction addresses only visual acuity via treatment of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. CustomCornea®- a new laser vision correction procedure, can now improve both visual acuity and visual quality; and treat a range of visual problems called higher order aberrations. Higher order aberrations are a range of symptoms that affect your visual quality, and if left untreated by earlier laser vision correction procedures would not optimize the outcome like today’s laser procedure.These problems are usually most apparent in low-light situations and may include night vision problems like glare and halos. CustomCornea® can now treat these problems based on pre-operative examination that includes a WaveFront analysis. A WaveFront map will be made of your cornea and CustomCornea® will be used to guide the doctor’s surgical planning during laser treatments. Dr. Perrone is able to offer CustomCornea® as necessary for myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism or combinations of these visual disorders.