December 4, 2010 in FAQ by TVLC

How does LASIK work?

LASIK is now the most common laser procedure used to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism.  The IntraLase Method uses tiny, rapid pulses of laser light to create your corneal flap – instead of using a metal blade – during the first step of LASIK.  Each pulse of light passes through the top layers of your cornea and forms a microscopic bubble at a specific depth and position within your eye that is determined by the doctor.  The IntraLase laser moves back and forth across your eye, creating a uniform layer of bubbles just beneath your corneal surface.  Just prior to applying laser vision correction, the doctor creates your corneal flap by gently separating the tissue where these bubbles have formed.  The corneal flap is folded back and a VISX laser generates a cool beam of ultraviolet light to gently reshape the cornea and the flap is then closed.

LASIK is a very precise, effective and accurate procedure that is suitable not only for high degrees of nearsightedness but also for patients with low to moderate prescriptions. It can also be used to treat the small percentage of patients with very severe prescriptions. This procedure has changed the lives of over 1 million people all over the world.

LASIK is a procedure that greatly reduces your recovery time and decreases the chance of many other risks that were more common with RK and PRK. The procedure itself only takes a few minutes to complete and involves minimal discomfort.