LASIK Vision Correction

Are you considering LASIK vision correction? You probably have lots of questions, and we hope to answer them for you. First and foremost, when choosing a LASIK provider, training and expertise matter, and you’ll find no better eye care than at Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania.

What is the procedure like?

LASIK surgery is a very short procedure. It is basically a three-step process:

1. The doctor uses a femtosecond laser to create a hinged flap on the cornea’s surface; the flap is gently folded back to expose the cornea;
2. The doctor uses a second laser called an excimer laser to reshape the surface of the cornea;
3. The hinged flap is repositioned and heals in place without requiring any stitches.

The second laser corrects the steepness of the cornea, which changes the manner in which light is focused in the eye. When you are nearsighted, your cornea is too steep, making it difficult to see things far away. Therefore, the surgeons will flatten the center of the cornea for improved distance vision. Depending on your unique starting vision, LASIK may reduce or even eliminate the need for you to wear contacts or glasses.

In farsighted patients, the cornea is too flat, so it is difficult to see things up close. LASIK can make the cornea steeper for better close-up vision. The cornea has an irregular curve in patients with astigmatism, making the vision out of focus. LASIK smoothes out the cornea to make it more symmetrical for clearer vision.

Our surgeons at Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania prefer the two-laser form of LASIK, called Bladeless Custom LASIK, over older methods. This state-of-the-art LASIK technique is suitable for the majority of patients. Indeed, it is the most modern technology for safe, accurate and customized vision correction.

What can I expect during the procedure?

During the procedure, you will focus on a red fixation light. However, this light is not the laser, but is instead a guide to help us keep your eyes steady and correctly pointed during the procedure. The laser has a built-in tracking device to follow your eyes in case they do move during the procedure. As the excimer laser begins to reshape the cornea, you will hear slight clicking sounds.

The procedure is quick and painless, and also has a very quick recovery. You will need someone to drive you home, and then you will need to rest your eyes for the remainder of the day of your surgery. Many patients are stunned to wake up the next day with incredible vision – without the use of their glasses or contact lenses. We will ask you to come in the following day and the following week so we can check your progress.

The outcome of LASIK surgery is very successful in the vast majority of patients, and depends on several factors: the pre-surgical exam, the LASIK technology used, the surgery center’s standards, and the surgeon’s experience.

Most people are excellent candidates for LASIK vision correction, but the only way to know for sure if you are a good candidate is to schedule an initial evaluation with one of our Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania cornea specialists.