LASIK & REFRACTIVE
Refractive errors can be corrected by simple means as with Spectacle lenses and Contact lenses - which correct the errors as along as they are worn.
However, LASIK and allied surface procedures and intra ocular implants - Provide for permanent refractive error correction.
LASIK corrects moderate errors, by sculpting the Cornea while intra ocular implants (Implantable Contact Lens - ICL) can correct much higher errors in suitable eyes.
What is LASIK?
LASIK is the acronym for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, a type of Refractive Laser Eye Surgery for correcting refractive errors like Myopia, Hyperopia, and Astigmatism. Millions of patients today choose LASIK as an alternative to wearing corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Preoperative Checkup :
Individual Planning for Customised Treatment
Your eye doctor will first check various parameters of your eye like
• The stability of your spectacle number
• Your retina and intra-ocular pressure
• Pachymetry to measure the corneal thickness
• Keratometry to measure the corneal curvature
• Corneal topography to measure the shape of the cornea
With individual planning, each eye receives a tailor-made ablation that is beyond the capability of spectacle or contact lens corrections.
Operation
Local anesthetic eye drops are instilled in the eye making the surgery absolutely painless. No injections or sedation is given. A corneal flap is created using a microkeratome/femtosecond laser tool with a hinge left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back & the excimer laser is used to remodel the corneal stroma. Finally, the flap is repositioned, where it sticks back in place on the reshaped cornea.
Post-operative
A course of antibiotic, anti-inflammatory & lubricant eye drops. Darkened pair of goggles to protect your eyes from bright lights Protective shields to prevent rubbing of the eyes when asleep. Proper post-operative care is essential to minimize the risk of post-surgical complications.
How long is the treatment / Is it painful?
The entire process takes less than ten minutes in which the laser treatment itself takes only a few seconds. The treatment is not painful. Both eyes are usually treated together. There may be a little irritation for a few hours after the operation.
What you need to understand about LASIK?
LASIK is a surgical procedure intended to reduce a person's dependence on glasses or contact lenses and not, as is usually thought, designed to totally eliminate the spectacle power. The amount of the post LASIK residual power is based on many factors like pre-operative very high myopia or high astigmatism or corneas which are not perfectly symmetrical. The power will reduce to the level where you may not need to use glasses for over 90% of the time. Hence, it is advisable to have realistic expectations from the surgery.
What are the other procedures available?
Other procedures include photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), Refractive lens exchange & Phakic Intraocular lenses (Implantable contact lenses- ICL) are also other options in certain cases.
What is Implantable Contact Lens (ICL)?
The ICL (Implantable Contact Lens) is a state-of-art refractive error solution that is ideal for anyone who has the need or desire for removal of power with high quality of vision correction. ICL or Implantable Contact Lens, as the name suggests, is a kind of lens that is implanted into the eye and does not require frequent removal like a normal contact lens. This Phakic intraocular lens has numerous advantages including its correction of the widest range of myopia (near sightedness), hyperopia (far sightedness) and astigmatism (cylindrical power). ICL can correct a wide range of vision errors by permanently inserting a Contact Lens in front of the natural lens of the eye. ICL is a kind of soft contact lens, which is inserted into the eye through a very small incision. Just like LASIK it takes only 5-10minutes for the procedure.
