What is Laser Vision Correction?
What is LASIK/PRK?
Laser vision correction refers to a family of procedures designed to greatly reduce or eliminate the need for contact lenses or glasses. All of these procedures share in common the use of the excimer laser. This is an instrument, which produces ultraviolet light, which can vaporize collagen and hence reshape and change the optical characteristics of the corneaŃthe principle-focusing lens of the eye. The application of excimer laser technology is recognized by most eye care specialists to represent the single greatest advancement in eye care in the last 100 years.
In the LASIK procedure (Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomielusis), excimer laser energy is applied to the inner layers of the cornea after an instrument called a microkeratome has created a microscopically hinged flap. This flap averages 130 microns in thickness and is reflected away from the bed of cornea prior to application of the laser treatment. Contained in this flap are the sensitive nerve endings of the superficial cornea, which are protected from damage when flap is lifted. The net effect of this step in LASIK surgery is that laser application does not damage this sensitive neuro-layer of the cornea. Because of this, the process is painless and the level of inflammatory reaction to surgery is minimal. The low level of inflammatory activity after LASIK allows for the rapid return of excellent acuity accompanied by a low level of mild discomfort.
In some instances where there might be an issue with insufficient pre-operative corneal thickness, Laser vision correction can still be performed using a simplified procedure called PRK (Photo Refractive Keratectomy) In this modified approach the laser energy is applied directly to the corneal surface without the production of a Lasik flap. Patients requiring the PRK procedure will enjoy a similar prognosis for excellent vision but may require a somewhat longer period of recovery.
