What Is LASIK Laser Eye Surgery?
LASIK Laser Eye Surgery (Laser-assisted In-situ Keratomileusis) is an elective surgical procedure to correct common vision problems such as hyperopia (far-sightedness), myopia (near-sightedness), presbyopia (natural ageing of the eyes) and/or astigmatism.
The procedure uses an extremely accurate femtosecond laser to create a very thin flap of tissue in the outer cornea – the front of the eye. The flap is then gently folded back allowing the surgeon to remove a precise amount of corneal tissue using an excimer laser.
During the LASIK Laser Eye Surgery procedure, the corneal tissue is removed in a very specific pattern, unique to your eye; this reshapes the central cornea, to correct your vision.
Once the procedure is complete, the corneal flap is replaced, and heals over with a few hours.
If you have myopia, your eye is too deep compared to the curvature (focusing power) of your cornea, or the cornea is more curved than it should be. If you have hyperopia, your eye is too shallow compared to the curvature of the cornea, or the cornea is too flat. In both cases, LASIK Laser Eye Surgery can correct this by changing the shape of the cornea so that it’s focusing power is matched to the depth of the eye.
Astigmatism is where the cornea has an irregular shaped curve (often similar to a rugby ball, rather then a normal cornea being shaped like a football). The result is that light is focused at two different planes inside the eye, and images can appear blurred. LASIK Laser Eye Surgery can correct astigmatism (which approximately half of all people with myopia or hyperopia also experience).
Broadly, myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism result in the focal point of light entering the eye being either in front or behind the retina, resulting in blurred vision. The reshaping the cornea during LASIK Laser Eye Surgery ensures that the focal point of the eye is precisely on the retina, giving you much sharper vision.
To find out more about LASIK Laser Eye Surgery, or to find out if you are suitable, give London Vision Clinic a call now on 020 7224 1005.