LASIK Pathophysiology
A surgeon who specifically qualifies in eye surgery first draws a thin and precise corneal flap in a hinged manner with the help of a microkeratome during the LASIK surgery. The surgeon then tends to pull back the hinged flap to clear the view of the underlying corneal tissues. Then, by using the excimer laser the surgeon reshapes the cornea in a distinct, precise pattern for each individual. The surgeon then gently reposition the flap onto the underlying cornea and it happens without any sutures. However, the actual timing of the procedure might vary depending on the amount of correction you need.
The whole procedure of Lasik surgery requires an advanced and state of the art laser known as excimer laser to improve vision, treat refractive errors, and reduce the need for contact lens or glasses. The laser procedure of LASIK changes the shape of the cornea, which is a transparent cover of the front of the eye. Though the excimer laser was in use for several years but Loannis Pallikaris from Greece was the first one to develop LASIK around 1991. The mismatch in the optical system is known as refractive error and leads to blurry image at some point.
The front surface i.e., the cornea in the human eye and the lens present inside the eye combine to form the focusing system of the eye. Lens and cornea are potentially responsible for directing the incoming rays on the surface of the retina as similar as the camera lenses focusing lights onto the film. The power of the lens and cornea in the human eye perfectly match the images and the length of the eye to get a focused image. However, any changes in this perfect optical system leads to the development of refractive errors and vision problems. The procedure of LASIK surgery mostly requires ten minutes in total in the operating room. During your time in the operation room, the surgeons utilize the laser for less than minute per eye.
Lasik eye surgery is quite famous and a common practice to correct the refractive errors and vision problems. Lasik or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis can be a substitute to contact lenses or glasses for eye sight issues. A special form of cutting laser precisely alter the dome-shaped transparent tissue at the cornea to correct vision in patients. The cornea in the perfect optical system bends or refracts the light correctly onto the surface of retina at the hind side of the eye. However, in case of myopia, (nearsightedness), astigmatism, or hyperopia (farsightedness), the light does not bend correctly leading to blurry images and vision. (3)
Contact lenses or glasses can help to correct the altered or blurred vision, but the reshaping of cornea itself can also be a game changer to attain the maximum refraction. If you are thinking about getting LASIK surgery, then you must be already wearing contact lenses or glasses. A specialized eye surgeon or doctor will walk you through whether the LASIK surgery is an option for you or not. Some other similar surgical refractive procedures might also work for you to correct the vision problems.