Millions
of people, including famous golfer Tiger Woods, have undergone
successful laser vision correction procedures. The techniques
used have evolved greatly over the past 20 years. LASIK is
the most advanced procedure available to correct nearsightedness,
farsightedness and astigmatism.
This section provides a step by step walkthrough of the LASIK refractive surgical
procedure at New Vision. The procedure is quick and painless.
Your entire visit will be completed in about an hour.
| Pre-Operative |
You will receive complete
pre-operative instructions and review and sign the surgery
consent form prior to your day of surgery.
We will provide antibiotic drops for you to place in
your eyes the evening prior to laser vision correction.
You will receive anesthetic drops to prevent pain and
your tendency to blink. If you are overly anxious, we
will offer you a small amount of valium (taken by mouth)
30 minutes before surgery.
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| Surgery |
1 |
A technician will position your head under the laser where your target during
surgery is a blinking red light. The doctor will place
a retainer between the lids of the operative eye which
will gently and comfortably hold them open during the procedure.
A patch is placed over the other eye.
|
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2 |
A device called a microkeratome is used to fashion a thin circular layer of outer
corneal tissue which is hinged and folded back to expose
the corneal bed. |
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3 |
While you focus on the light, a highly advanced computer-controlled tracking
excimer laser removes microscopic amounts of corneal tissue
to
reshape
the surface to your exact refractive requirements. The
doctor uses a surgical microscope to ensure that you are
fixating properly, and can pause the procedure at any moment. |
 |
4 |
When the laser treatment is completed, the doctor places the flap back in its
original position on the cornea. No sutures are required,
as natural suction secures the flap in place. The doctor
will examine your eyes with the slit lamp microscope. |
5 |
After the examination, clear eyeshields are placed over the operated eye(s).
Then you will be ready to have your driver take you home
to rest. |
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| Post Surgery |
- After surgery you should go
home to rest and relax.
- Your vision will return gradually over the next few
hours. Some individuals will not have 20/20
vision the next day,
and some eyes may take several weeks to stabilize
depending on the severity of the refractive error.
- You will need to see the doctor on the following
day for a brief checkup. Other follow up
visits should occur after
one week, one month, and thereafter until
both you and the doctor are satisfied with the
outcome (these visits
are included in the surgical fee).
- About 5% of patients require enhancement procedures
to fine tune their correction (enhancements
are also included
in the surgical fee).
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