During Lasik Surgery
The overall procedure for the Lasik is completed within 30 minutes or less. The patient enters the examination room that has laser system and will lie down on the back, in a reclining chair. The laser system is a large machine, attaching a computer screen and microscope to it.
The process is initiated by placing numbing drops in the eyes and the cleaning is done for the around eye area and a lid speculum instrument is attempted to hold the eyelids open. Then the surgeon initiates the procedure either a microkeratome, which is a mechanical device or a laser keratome, which is a laser device to cut corenal flap.
In case the corneal flap is attempted to cut with the mechanical microkeratome device, a small ring would be placed over the eye and suction is created to the cornea, by applying very high pressures. When the suction ring is on, the vision gets dim and pressure may be felt by the patient, along with certain discomfort levels, during this part of the procedure. the cutting instrument, microkeratome will then be attached to the suction ring. Microkeratome blade will be used by the surgeon for cutting a flap in the cornea. these blades of microkeratome must be disposed after usage for once. Then the suction ring along with microkeratome will be removed.
In case a laser device, laser keratome is used for cutting a flap in the cornea, in place of mechanical microkeratome device, the procedure is different. Here, a plastic plate is used to flatten the cornea, in this case. Some feel of pressure is common and along with some discomfort and the result is the dim of the vision, during this phase of procedure. Inside the cornea tissue, laser energy will be focused and it creates thousand small gas and water bubbles and it will get expanded and connected for tissue separation, underneath the surface of the cornea, and the flap will be created. Then the plate will be removed.
During the remaining part of the procedure, the patient will be able to see, however, blurred vision is experienced with fluctuating degrees. Then the flap will be lifted and folded back over its hinge and exposed tissue will be dried.
As the next part, the patient will be suggested to keep staring at the focused light and then the doctor positions the laser over the eyes. In this instance, laser is not the one used for tissue removal from the cornea. the purpose of this light is to keep the eye focused on a single spot after laser comes on. Here, in case the patient is not able to stare at one fixed object continuously for 60 seconds minimum, one is not considered to be a eligible candidate to undergo this surgery.
After the patient can stare the eye in the appropriate and fixed position, the process of laser will be started by the surgeon. The patient may experience new smells and sounds, at this point. The laser pulse creates small ticking sounds. While the laser is removing the tissue of cornea, some patents reported to experience smell alike burning hair. The amount of energy delivered with Lasik is controlled by a computer. It is because the doctor had programmed to vaporize a specified tissue among, according to the prescription, taken during initial evaluation, before the surgery is started. The flap would be put back its regular position, once the laser energy pulses vaporise the tissue of cornea.
At the end of the procedure, a shield would be placed for protection, as there are no stitches made for firm holding the flap in its place. Since this shield can prevent you from putting pressure or rubbing the eyes, while you sleep and also help protecting the eye from poked or hit, accidentally, until the flap is healed, it is important to wear it.