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What Does LASIK Mean?

Most of us have heard advertisements for a procedure called LASIK. This surgery promises clear vision for many who wear glasses or contacts, but it is not without its risks. Educating yourself about the surgical process is important if you are considering LASIK, but only your doctor can tell you if you are a candidate for this procedure.

  1. Definition

    • LASIK is an acronym for Laser Assisted Situ Keratomileusis. The acronym is simpler to pronounce and easier to remember than the technical name for the procedure. The name refers to an instrument called the microkeratome used to make a small incision in the cornea.

    The LASIK Procedure

    • The LASIK procedure corrects vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. An abnormally shaped cornea that affects the way light is reflected in the eye causes these disorders. During the LASIK procedure, the surgeon cuts a thin circular flap in the cornea. Then she removes small amounts of the cornea to correct its shape. The surgeon replaces the flap, which covers the area while it heals.

    Candidates for LASIK

    • Not everyone is a candidate for LASIK. To determine if LASIK surgery is right for you, your doctor performs a series of tests such as a wavefront analysis that sends light waves through the eye to detect irregularities. Another testing tool is the corneal topographer that measures the curvature of your eye. Your eyes must be healthy for you to be a candidate. Conditions such as chronic dry eyes and conjunctivitis affect the way your eye heals and adapts to the surgery and need to be resolved before surgery. If you have an illness that prevents normal healing such as type 1 diabetes or HIV, you may be disqualified as a candidate.

    Risks

    • As with any surgery there are risks involved with LASIK. Some of the risks have to do with the corneal flap created during the surgery. Dead cells can sometimes become trapped under the flap. The body often assumes these cells are harmful and an inflammation occurs, resulting in scarring, which must be treated. If the surface of the cornea is not reshaped smoothly, a condition known as an irregular astigmatism may occur. This may cause double vision and must be corrected by another surgery.

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