What Happens During the LASIK Procedure Part 1

LASIK is an ambulatory procedure, which means you walk in to the surgery centre, finish the procedure and walk out again. Yet when you step in for the operation, you are bound to get a little overwhelmed by all the apparatus. In order to remain relaxed, it will help if you know what most of the instruments are called and what they are used for. We willl take you through the names and functions of all the equipment first and then explain the procedure in detail, so you can stay relaxed during the surgery.

Equipment:

Speculum: An instrument used to hold your eye lids apart

Suction ring: A ring placed around the cornea to apply pressure and create suction

Mechanical microkeratome: A blade device used to cut a flap on the cornea

Laser keratome: A laser device that is used to create a flap on the cornea instead of the mechanical device

Laser: The actual laser used to vaporize the tissue under the cornea. This laser is attached to a computer which determines how much of the cornea is to be reshaped.

Procedure:

Step 1: The surgeon will ask you to lie down on a reclining chair. The laser will be placed above your head. This laser will be attached to a computer screen and a microscope.

Step 2: A numbing drop is placed on the eye. The doctor might also administer a mild oral sedative. The speculum will hold your eyelids open. This will not cause any discomfort.

Step 3: (for mechanical microkeratome) - If the surgeon is using a mechanical microkeratome, the suction ring is placed over the cornea. This will apply high pressure around the cornea and you might experience some discomfort. The microkeratome is attached to the suction ring. This blade device will slide over the suction ring and cut a flap on the cornea. This flap is too thin for you to be able to see it. The keratome blade is to be used only once and then thrown away. After the flap is cut, the suction ring and mechanical microkeratome will be removed

Alternatively, if a laser keratome is used then Step 3 will vary slightly.

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