by Brenda Segna

Created on: April 05, 2008

Have you heard all of the whispering of laser eye surgery and now you want to learn a little more? Well, keep on reading and let me share with you the 411 on laser eye surgery.

Laser eye surgery is an outpatient treatment that uses a cool beam of light to gently reshape the surface of they eye, namely the cornea, thereby improving the vision. The light gently pulses to remove a microscopic amount of tissue, flattening the curvature of the cornea, allowing images to be more sharply focused on the retina. Laser treatment is approved for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Laser Eye Surgery Procedure

When you arrive at the laser facility site to check in on the day of surgery you will be directed to the pre-laser area. You will receive some eye drops and medication to relax you. All the pertinent eye exam information is reviewed, then the appropriate data is entered into the computer and rechecked by the surgeon. You will receive eye drops and will be taken to the laser room. The laser procedure is performed in a reclined position. Throughout the procedure you will be asked to focus at a blinking fixation light.

The LASIK procedure is performed with the creation of a corneal flap and application of laser.
With PRK, however, the treatment is limited to the use of laser alone and a contact lens is required at the end of the procedure.
For either procedure, you may be in the laser room for approximately 10 to 20 minutes. After completion of the laser treatment, you will be asked to relax in the recovery area for 30 minutes. Then the surgeon will examine your eyes, and you will receive instructions prior to discharge.
Results

Results vary with each individual. Several studies to date have demonstrated that up to 98% of patients treated for nearsightedness and/or astigmatism and 90% treated for farsightedness and/or astigmatism with the VISX STAR Excimer Laser System saw well enough to pass a driver's test without glasses. Some patients may experience small vision changes during the first several months, which is a normal occurrence. Your eye doctor can provide you with the specifics of what vision you may expect, based upon your correction during your initial consultation.

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