What is LASIK – Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser Eye Surgery, also known as LASIK, is a form of corrective eye surgery that corrects near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism – all of which are often caused by focusing errors that can be corrected by changing the shape of the cornea.

The cornea is a part of the eye that helps focus light to create an image on the retina. It works in much the same way that the lens of a camera focuses light to create an image on film. The bending and focusing of light is also known as refraction. Usually, the shape of the cornea and the eye is not perfect, and the image on the retina is out-of-focus or distorted. These imperfections in the focusing power of the eye are known as refractive errors.

There two types of laser eye surgery – blade laser eye surgery (which is the traditional laser eye surgery), or the bladeless laser eye surgery (also known as the Femto LASIK procedure, or the Z LASIK procedure. There are many surgeons who are for the traditional laser eye surgery over the bladeless laser eye surgery method, and there are many surgeons who are for the bladeless laser eye surgery method over the traditional laser eye surgery. It is important to note that the traditional laser eye surgery is not any more risky than the bladeless laser eye surgery. Be sure that your decision whether you choose the traditional laser eye surgery or the bladeless laser eye surgery is what’s best for you, and what you are comfortable with, and not what’s best for the surgeon, or what they are comfortable with.

Laser eye surgery is not recommended for those under 21, patients with diabetes, pregnant patients, breastfeeding patients, patients with an immune system disorder, or with any other eye conditions.

What happens during the corrective eye procedure?

The surgeon will firstly examine your eyes to check that they are healthy enough for the laser eye surgery. During the exam, the surgeon will also assess if the eyes are sufficiently moist, and the curvature of the eyes will be mapped. The eyes will then be numbed with some anaesthetic eye drops, and some sedation may be administered if required. With a marker pen, the surgeon will then mark the incision site.

In a traditional laser eye surgery, a microkeratome cuts a thin, hinged flap into the eye’s cornea. The flap is then lifted for application of laser energy that reshapes the eye for vision correction. The flap is gently placed back down again in its original position. An uncomplicated laser eye surgery usually takes between 30-60  minutes.

Laser eye surgery takes 1-2 days to recover. Some patients feel a temporary burning or itching sensation in the treated eye. Some patients find that their vision is immediately better, whilst others need to wait a few days, or weeks, to see the full effect of the procedure. However, patients should expect that their vision will worsen in the first 24-hours after the procedure, and then improve significantly. The eyes may be sensitive to light initially, but once it has healed, the patient’s vision may take up to 1-month to fully stabilize.

How do I find the right eye surgeon?

The best way is to speak to a few surgeons and find out which surgeon you are most comfortable with. At Holiday Health, we can connect you to reputable and reliable eye surgeons. We strongly suggest you take into consideration that the surgeon you choose:

• is reputable and trustworthy;
• has a proven track record;
• is registered with or accredited by their local government or the governing medical body or association;
• has never been disqualified from practising anywhere in the world;
• has never been found guilty of endangering a patient’s life; and
• has never been found guilty of malpractice.

You should also include any preferences you might have. For example, you might be more comfortable with a female eye surgeon, or someone who has more experience.

Important 

Before your procedure, you will have the opportunity to discuss your goals and the results you would like to achieve with your specialist. Communication is vital in reaching your goals. Ensure you communicate your vision clearly to your specialist and re-confirm the intended procedure to ensure there is no miscommunication. Your specialist will work with you to reach an understanding about what you can expect from this procedure, and what long-term benefits and side-effects you may experience. Every patient is different, and your specialist will choose the surgical technique and treatment plan that is right for you.

Your specialist will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and which vitamins and medications should be taken or avoided.

Please note. The information found on this website is purely for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon for its exactness or for its accuracy for your specific situation and/or for your specific procedure. The information provided is not a substitute for advice from your physician / surgeon as it may not contain all the known facts, risks and side effects of this procedure. Please consult with your physician / surgeon about your personal circumstances and about your personal procedure / treatment plan. We take no responsibility for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or for any loss or damage suffered by you in relation to the services we provide to you, or the information provided on our website.