One of the most effective laser refractive operations for treating vision issues like myopia is laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
LASIK surgery is primarily a substitute for spectacles or contact lenses. Regardless of the specific eyesight needed for 20/20 vision, you may acquire 20/20 vision after surgery.
Eye drops that numb the eye surface are the only anaesthetics utilized. You will be given medication to help you relax, but the surgery will be performed while you are awake. One or both eyes may receive LASIK in the same session.
So, What kinds of lasers are used during LASIK eye surgery? Let’s discover!
Lasers during LASIK eye surgery
LASIK is a surgical outpatient surgery. Each eye requires a 10- to 15-minute procedure.
To improve light focus with LASIK, a small layer of the cornea is removed using an ultraviolet laser. The cornea is reshaped during this elective eye surgery to enhance vision and address refractive problems.
A laser is used during the treatment to modify the cornea’s shape. The curvature or form of the cornea frequently brings on blurriness. The excimer laser, also known as an ultraviolet laser, used in LASIK to treat this problem reshapes the cornea by removing a small layer of the cornea, improving light focus.
How do excimer (or UV) lasers work?
Excimer lasers, created in the 1980s, allow ophthalmologists to precisely remove very small amounts of corneal tissue.
During LASIK, the excimer laser produces UV light that is absorbed by tissue as opposed to burning or cutting through it. It translates to the laser removing very thin surface layers of tissue while leaving the remainder of the tissue unharmed and with little discomfort to the patient.
Additionally, you might wish to enquire about the potential comfort differences between your surgeon’s usage of a femtosecond laser versus a bladed surgical instrument (microkeratome) to construct the corneal flap during LASIK eye surgery. Several surgeons support opposite positions in the controversy between femtosecond LASIK and microkeratome.
While specific excimer laser technology is crucial, your surgeon’s competence, experience, and eligibility will ultimately determine how well your LASIK procedure goes.
Reason for using ultraviolet rays in LASIK
UV rays are preferable during Lasik eye surgery because they are high precision. Also, UV rays can easily focus on a very narrow beam. And Lasik eye surgery improves vision by removing the cornea. Besides, ultraviolet rays have shorter wavelengths and thus can focus on very narrow beams and offer maximum accuracy. However, other rays, like X-rays and gamma rays, have shorter wavelengths as well. But these rays have high penetration and can damage the eyes and body. Hence, UV rays are used in LASIK eye surgery.
Technology Alcon Laser
One of the FDA-approved LASIK tools is WaveLight technology, produced by Alcon, one of the top eye care technology industry businesses. The WaveLight provides some of the quickest treatment times, improved precision, and ideal results.
Expectations
The outpatient LASIK surgery typically lasts between 10 and 15 minutes. Other than eye drops to numb the eye’s surface, the patient doesn’t need to be sedated.
In the beginning, a flap of corneal tissue is formed and then pulled back to allow the excimer laser to operate on the tissue below. The flap is restored and maintained in place naturally after the treatment. No sutures are required.
Most LASIK patients have a vision that is 20/20 or better after the procedure.
