What is LASIK?
Lasik is a procedure that combines two previously approved refractive surgery procedures - automated lamellar keratoplasty (ALK) and photo refractive keratectomy (PRK). Lasik is currently used in our practice to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. This comprises most of the reasons people wear glasses for improved distance vision.
First, a thin layer of the cornea - the flap - is gently lifted and folded back exposing the underlying tissue. Next, the excimer laser removes the exact amount of tissue to create the correct shape needed to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. The flap is then repositioned over the corneal bed and assumes its near corrected shape. By repositioning the flap, the eye has very rapid visual recovery and minimal, if any, discomfort. This is all done in about 15 minutes.
