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Refractive Surgery

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LASIK (Laser In Situ Keratomileusis)

LASIK combines two techniques of surgery to correct refractive error. First, a microkeratome creates a thin flap in the cornea. Next, an excimer laser sculpts the underlying cornea into a new shape to correct the refractive error. The flap is then repositioned and adheres on its own without sutures after only a few minutes. Eye drops are placed in the eye to facilitate the healing process. Vision recovery typically is rapid, and there is little or no post-operative pain.

The microkeratome blade cuts a thin flap of corneal tissue;	the flap is lifted and the laser resculpts the exposed surface of the cornea;	the tissue flap is replaced.

Is Refractive Surgery for me?

Refractive Surgery FAQ

Wavefront-Guided LASIK

One of the keys to a successful LASIK procedure is the measurement your ophthalmologist takes to determine your refractive error. Small imperfections in the eye may cause some light to travel through the eye at different angles, making light strike the retina in different places. Collectively, these imperfections are called optical aberrations.

Wavefront measurement can be described as a “fingerprint of your eye.” Wavefront measurements capture tiny, subtle variations in the way light passes through your eyes.  These variations can be as unique as your fingerprints.

Wavefront-guided LASIK uses a measuring device to create a “map” of how your eye focuses light, to precisely assess the unique irregularities and variations in your eye.

The wavefront map is very detailed: instead of simply creating a general description of your eye’s focusing power (for example, nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism), it records every subtle distortion in the pathway of light moving through your eye. In addition, subtle measurements of the corneal shape itself can be done with a surface topographer

The benefit of having wavefront-guided LASIK instead of conventional LASIK is that it reduces the possibility that you will have quality-of-vision complaints, such as poor night vision, difficulty driving at night, glare, halos and blurry images after surgery. Also, there are some optical aberrations that can distort your vision that can not be corrected with glasses and contacts. They can only be measured with wavefront analysis.

How Is the Wavefront Measurement Taken?

If you are having wavefront-guided LASIK, Dr. Patel will order a map to be taken of both of your eyes using a wavefront scanner, called an analyzer or aberrometer. The aberrometer produces a very precise, detailed map of light rays as they travel through your eye, highlighting imperfections in your vision.

A targeted beam of light will be sent through your eye and focused on the retina. A wave of light rays is reflected back from the retina through the eye’s lens, pupil and cornea. A sensor will measure the irregularities in the wavefront pattern of light as it emerges from your eye. Using this measurement, the wavefront computer creates a three-dimensional map of the light rays created by your eye’s optical system.

This wavefront data will be used to program the laser, allowing Dr. Patel to customize the reshaping of your cornea during the LASIK procedure.

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)

PRK reduces low to high myopia, low to moderate hyperopia, and astigmatism. In PRK, the epithelium, the layer of cells covering the cornea, is removed and the excimer laser sculpts the cornea to correct refractive error. A bandage contact lens is usually placed on the eye following the procedure to speed the epithelial healing process, which usually takes three to four days. Because PRK sculpts the outer surface of the cornea, patients experience some discomfort after surgery and recovery time lasts for a period of several weeks. PRK has been largely displaced by LASIK because LASIK provides less discomfort, faster vision recovery, and the ability to enhance or refine the outcome easily in as little as three months following the initial surgery. However, PRK is sometimes recommended instead of LASIK because it does not create a flap in the cornea and may be a better option for people who have thin corneas or whose occupation makes it more dangerous to have a flap.