Chapter 1 - What is LASIK?

LASIK is a surgical procedure for refractive errors. It consists of placing a suction device on the eye and using an oscillating blade to cut a circular flap of the cornea. The thickness of this flap depends on the surgeon but can vary from 100 microns to 180 microns (i.e., one to two tenths of a millimeter). The corneal flap is lifted and the Excimer laser is used to treat for the desired refractive error. An alternate procedure is the utilization of a laser to cut the flap (Intralase). To protect the eye from thinning excessively after surgery, the corneal bed needs to have a residual corneal bed of 250 to 300 microns. Measurement of the corneal thickness (a procedure called pachymetry) is very important.

References

Carones F, Vigo L, Carones AV et al. Evaluation of photorefractive keratectomy retreatments after regressed myopic laser in situ keratomileusis. Ophthalmology 2001; 108 (10): 1732-1737. [pubmed]

El-Agha MS, Johnston EW, Bowman RW et al. Excimer laser treatment of spherical hyperopia: PRK or LASIK? Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc 2000; 98: 59-66. [pubmed]

Hersh PS., Brint SF, Maloney RK, et al. Photorefractive keratectomy versus laser in situ keratomileusis for moderate to high myopia. A randomized prospective study. Ophthalmology 1998; 105 (8): 1512-1522. [pubmed]

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