What is LASIK surgery?

​The purpose of laser eye surgery is to correct refractive errors and reduce a person’s dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The procedure uses a laser to reshape the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye, in order to change the eye’s focusing power and improve vision. There are many types of laser eye surgery, but the most common and well-known type is LASIK. LASIK eye surgery is used to treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (distorted vision). The procedure takes about 10 minutes per eye in total and is done under local anaesthetic. The procedure is almost painless.

PRK Laser eye surgery “Photo Refractive Keratectomy” means that the epithelial layer at the top of the cornea is removed with a soft brush. Then the cornea is shaped with Excimer Laser without creating a flap.

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Benefits of the surgery:

• Helps to rid the patient of spectacles and contact lenses.
• Quick and safe procedure done under local topical anaesthetic.
• Both eyes are done at the same sitting.
• Recovery is quick.
• Long term side effects are minimal.
• The cornea is not weakened as compared to the old Radial Keratotomy procedure​​

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Am I an eligible candidate?

Before this question can be answered, one has to have a thorough evaluation. This will include a general eye examination, corneal topography (mapping), pressure check and measurement of the corneal thickness. It will also exclude any general eye disease. Only then can the surgeon tell you if you are a candidate. The minimum age of 18 years provided the refraction is stable. There is no maximum age. The refractive error must be in the range of treatment that the laser is capable of treating.

The choice between PRK and Lasik will depend on your corneal characteristics and thickness. The surgeon will make a clinical decision which procedure is better suited to your cornea.

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Procedure:

• Pre-surgery consultation and exam: Includes a thorough evaluation of eye health and measurements of the cornea.

• Preparation for the surgery: Numbing eye drops are applied to ensure comfort.

• Laser reshaping of the cornea: A small flap is created in the cornea and advanced lasers reshape the underlying tissue.

• Flap repositioning: The corneal flap is gently placed back without stitches.

• Post-surgery care: Detailed instructions are provided for recovery and follow-up visits.

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Risks and considerations:

​While rare, potential risks include:

• Dry eyes, glare, or halos around lights, especially at night.

• Rare complications such as under-correction or over-correction.

• Temporary vision fluctuations during the healing process.

A thorough pre-surgery evaluation minimises these risks.

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Post-operatively:

• The eyes are covered with a transparent plastic shield for the first night. This is only a precautionary measure.
• Antibiotic drops are used for a week afterwards.
• The vision will be slightly blurred for the first few days after the operation, but usually patients are able to perform their daily activities the day after the operation.
• Light sensitivity and glare at night normally disappear within six months.