A Proven Treatment
Refractive surgery has been used globally since the 1970s. In 1987, refractive laser surgery opened up entirely new possibilities for the correction of visual problems. Initially, laser surgery was conducted using the PRK (photo refractive keratotomy) method. Since the early 1990s, however, LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis) has become the treatment of choice around the world. Laser surgery has been evaluated and studied in numerous clinical studies involving thousands of patients by several independent regulatory bodies, like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Today, millions of people already enjoy independence from glasses and contact lenses, and an improved quality of life, thanks to refractive laser surgery.
The Laser Treatment
Before
Before the treatment, your physician will conduct a detailed examination to determine if your eyes are healthy and suitable for laser surgery. If you wear contact lenses, you should stop wearing them at least two to six weeks before the actual treatment, depending on the type of contact lens that you are wearing.
Preparation
Your physician will conduct an extensive examination of your eye before the laser treatment in order to precisely determine its health, corneal thickness, and the degree of your visual defect. Once the examination is completed on the day of treatment, you will lie down on the laser bed. The physician will then apply eye drops to numb your eye.
Treatment
In the first step of the procedure, the physician creates a thin flap in the upper layer of your cornea. During this time your sight will be briefly interrupted due to increased ocular pressure in your eye. Then the flap is carefully folded back to expose the lower corneal layer. At this point you will be able to see, but everything will be blurry.
For the next step, the physician will ask you to concentrate your sight on a green light. Then the actual laser treatment begins. Due to the high speed of the laser system, the average treatment will only take a few seconds.
Once the laser treatment is finished, the flap is returned to its original position where it completely adheres and works like a natural band-aid. Your eye will then receive antibiotic eye drops to prevent infections. The treatment is now fully completed.
After
You will already be able to see your surroundings with improved visual acuity, but your eye may itch or burn and you may experience sensitivity to light. You should try to rest and avoid strenuous visual activities like reading or watching TV during the next few hours while your eye continues to heal.