LASIK is the most commonly performed laser eye surgery used to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. Like other types of refractive surgery such as PRK and LASEK, the LASIK procedure reshapes the cornea to enable light entering the eye to be properly focused onto the retina for clearer vision.
In most cases, laser eye surgery is pain free and completed within 30 minutes for both eyes. The results, improved vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses, can usually be seen in as little as 24 hours.
In the 30-minute LASIK laser eye surgery procedure time, the following steps are performed:
Creating a Corneal Flap – For LASIK to work, the laser beams must reach the inner region of the cornea. Harvard Eye Associates in Colton offers the safest technology and utilizes the all-laser approach when creating this first step of flap creation.
Reshaping the Cornea – Once the flap is folded back, your surgeon uses the laser to correct corneal imperfections in just a few seconds. This highly specialized laser uses a cool, ultraviolet light beam to remove microscopic amounts of tissue from the cornea to reshape it so it more accurately focuses light on the retina for improved vision.
Replacing the Flap – After the cornea has been reshaped, your surgeon puts the flap back into place and it immediately begins to re-bond with the surrounding tissue. Because of the natural bonding qualities of the corneal tissue, effective healing begins immediately without stitches.
To find out if laser eye surgery is right for you, contact Harvard Eye Associates at 949-951-2020 or harvardeye.com to schedule a consultation.
