A number of laser refractive surgery options are available, but laser vision correction (LASIK and/or Advanced Surface Ablation) is the most common surgical procedure used to achieve this goal. These procedures utilize the excimer laser to painlessly reshape the cornea, correcting nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and many forms of astigmatism. The Intralase laser can also be used to create a laser-guided LASIK flap so that no metal cutting blade is necessary. This “all laser LASIK” affords our patients an added layer of precision and safety during their laser procedures. Astigmatism may also be corrected with astigmatic keratotomy (AK), which is sometimes used in conjunction with LASIK.

WHAT IS LASIK SURGERY?

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. The surgeon begins by creating a hinged corneal flap, which is precisely cut to 110 microns, approximately the thickness of a hair. The flap is lifted to expose the corneal tissue underneath, and the laser is applied, usually for less than one minute. The flap is then repositioned over the cornea. The surgical procedure takes about 15 to 20 minutes for both eyes. Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is another refractive laser surgery that reshapes the cornea.

WHAT IS THE PHAKIC INTRAOCULAR LENS?

Some patients are not good candidates for laser refractive surgery, either due to corneal shape, thickness, or level of near-sightedness. In many cases, these patients can be treated with the placement of a phakic intraocular lens. In this procedure, a small implantable lens, similar to a contact lens, is placed in the eye without the removal of the natural human lens. Once implanted, it cannot be seen or felt by the patient. Phakic lenses can take care of a wide range of refractive errors, even beyond what LASIK can treat.

Our physicians at Ophthalmic Partners have performed countless laser refractive surgery procedures, and have advanced training in laser refractive surgery as well as the repair of refractive surgical problems.