LASIK – general information
The term LASIK is short for „Laser in Situ Keratomileusis“. The LASIK procedure was introduced in 1989 and is throughout the world currently the most widely used procedure for eye laser treatment.In 1999, the LASIK procedure has been officially recognized as a scientifically approved procedure by the following professional bodies in ophthalmology in Germany: the DOG (abbreviation for Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft) and the BVA (abbreviation for Berufsverband der Augenärzte). This procedure involves preparing a thin layer, called a flap, which is made on the cornea with the help of a device called a microkeratome. Following that, the flap will be retreated and the underlying cornea layer will be stripped with a computer-controlled excimer laser. The whole surgery takes about 3 to 5 minutes. LASIK can be applied to correct short-sightedness of up to – 10 diopters, irregular curvature of the cornea of up to 6 diopters and far-sightedness of up to +4 diopters.
In addition, the following laser treatment methods for eyes are available to correct ametropia: Femto-Lasik, ReLEx®, LASEK. Lens surgery is also available.
LASIK – surgery procedure
The LASIK eye laser surgery does not require hospitalization of the patient. During the first hours after the surgery it can happen that your eye will produce tears or itch and that you will have a blurred vision. Usually near to normal sight capacity is already reached on the day following the surgery.
The first follow-up examination will already take place on the day after the LASIK surgery. During the first weeks after surgery there may be slight fluctuations in the visual faculty, until final stabilization will usually be reached after 4 to 6 weeks. When you wash yourself or take a shower you should be careful that no water enters the operated eye, and during the first week after the surgery the eye must not be rubbed and you must not use eye make-up. During the first 2 weeks after the surgery your sports activities should be approved by the treating doctors.
LASIK procedure – risks
Responsible behavior and our quality management help to reduce risks
to a minimum, but they cannot be totally excluded. However, there is a
possible solution for nearly all complications, as long as the patient
and the doctor react correctly.
The use of the most recent technology in our sites, continuing education
on a periodical basis, the experience of our surgeons and of the
complete Smile Eyes Team contribute significantly to minimizing any
risks of LASIK surgeries.
In general, complications are limited to four main areas:
Possible complications related to the LASIK surgery
1. Complications related to the cut
The risk of complications related to the cut is less than 1:3000. In
such cases, the incomplete cut will usually heal after two or three
days. A new surgery will be possible not before six months later.
Keratomes of the newest generation have higher security standards, and
the femtosecond laser technology in particular provides for further
minimization of risks.
2. Infections
All surgical surgeries involve a risk of infection. However, in clinics
where surgeries are done in a sterile environment, as it is the case in
ours, that risk can be substantially reduced (to less than 1:10000). In
case of infection, the cooperation of the patient (taking the medicine)
is of substantial importance. Drugs taken by the patient after the
surgery also prevents infections. In case of a real infection
appropriate antibiotic eye drops can be used for treatment.
3. Resulting correction
The objective of the treatment is the complete correction of the
ametropia. In about 95 % of cases, this objective can be attained by a
single surgery. Individual tissue reactions can however result in
excessive or insufficient correction of sight, thus requiring a second
surgery.
4. Keratectasy
In extremely rare cases it can happen that a weakness of the tissue
which may result from the individual constitution of the patient may
provoke a swelling of the cornea shortly after the surgery but sometimes
even years after; such swelling will influence the visual faculty Cases
of keratectasy may be reduced or stabilized using the cornea cross
linking method (CXL); alternatively, a customized contact lens or the
implant of stabilizing ring segments into the cornea can be considered
as treatment.
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