Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, or Lasik Surgery is the most popular type of refractive laser eye surgery. More and more people are seeing this procedure as a viable alternative to wearing eye glasses or contact lenses. The surgery can be done for both near and farsighted people. It is used to correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

If you are interested in pursuing Lasik surgery, you will need to contact an ophthalmologist who specializes in the procedure. Get a referral from a doctor or former patients. You want to be sure to have an experienced surgeon. When you meet for the consultation, feel free to ask about his education, training and experience with this type of surgery.

Before the Surgery

You will be told to stop wearing contact lenses for at least ten days prior to the procedure. If you wear hard lenses, you may need to stop wearing them six weeks or more before your Lasik Surgery. In most cases, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic for you to begin taking before surgery. This helps reduce the risk of infection.

The doctor will examine your eye and a topographic map will be created of  the cornea. This map shows the contour, irregularities of shape and any astigmatism in the eye. The doctor uses the information from this mapping to determine how much tissue will be removed during Lasik surgery and where it will be taken from.

During the Surgery

You will be awake during your surgery. Most doctors give their patients a sedative, such as valium. This will help you stay relaxed during the procedure. Anesthetic drops are used in the eye for pain relief. A suction ring is applied to the eye to hold it in place and keep the eyelid open. The surgeon uses an instrument called a microkeratome to cut a small flap in the cornea. This flap is folded back to reveal the middle section of the cornea.

The middle area of the cornea is the area that is restructured during the Lasik surgery. An excimer laser is used to accomplish this task. The laser vaporizes the tissue, changing the shape of the eye. During the procedure, you will only see orange and white light from the laser. When the tissue has been removed, the doctor will close the flap in the outer cornea.

After the Surgery

You should bring someone with you to drive you home after Lasik surgery. You will be given dark goggles to protect your eyes from the light. Eye shields will be used at night to prevent rubbing the eyes in your sleep. To prevent infection and help healing antibiotic and anti inflammatory drops will be prescribed. Your doctor will instruct you one when and how to use these drops.