LASIK (Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis)

LASIK (Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis)

• LASIK is the most commonly performed laser eye surgery to treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. A surgical procedure that utilizes the microkeratome blade to create a corneal flap and reshape the cornea with an excimer laser.

• LASIK surgery is a standard and globally accepted procedure for correcting eye vision problems for more than 20 years.

LASIK Technology

• Using Microkeratome blade to create a corneal flap.

• Mel 80 Excimer Laser by Carl Zeiss from Germany. This laser has a short wavelength at the ultraviolet level (193 nm) and is a cold laser beam. It will only react on the surfaces it touches and does not spread to other areas or penetrates into the eyeball. Therefore, it is an extremely safe and effective procedure.

LASIK Procedure

• A microkeratome (blade) opens a corneal flap.

• The flap is lifted and folded back, exposing the corneal stroma underneath.

• An excimer laser then reshapes the cornea.

• The flap is closed and left to heal.

Advantages of LASIK

• LASIK surgery is a standard treatment for refractive errors, that has been recognized internationally and has been approved for more than 20 years, roughly more than 40 million LASIK procedures were performed around the world.

• Can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Limitations of LASIK

• Higher chance of corneal bruising.

• Currently, there are more advanced treatments for refractive errors which were developed from LASIK.​

The qualifications of a suitable candidate for LASIK at TRSC generally include

• People who are at least 18 years of age and have had stable vision for at least one year. (All minors under age 20 are required to have a legal guardian present to give consent for medical treatment. TRSC has the right to refuse service if there is no guardian present)

• People who have no corneal diseases or other eye diseases, for example; significant retinal degeneration, severe eye dryness.

• People who have no complicating diseases, which may affect the eye’s healing process, such as SLE (lupus), Sjogren’s syndrome, Psoriasis and diabetes (not well-controlled) or other auto-immune diseases.

• Women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Not taking any psychiatric medications or being under the treatment for psychological disorders.

• Must have the pre-operative eye examination performed by TRSC in order to make certain that all measurements meet our standards and a good candidate for laser eye surgery.

• People who have a complete and detailed understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of LASIK and have realistic expectations of the outcomes.

Preparation for the preoperative eye examination (WU) and LASIK at TRSC

• Refrain from wearing contact lenses prior to the pre-operative eye examination. You may use your glasses during the time you are not wearing your contact lenses. The amount of time required to stay out of contact lenses is the following.

  • Soft lenses: At least 3 days before the examination.

  • Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses or Semi-hard lenses: At least 14 days before the examination.

• Stop the use of certain medications. Please be aware that certain medications need to be discontinued for a certain period of time before the examination and surgery.

  • Oral isotretinoin medication for acne treatment such as Roaccutane, Acnotin, Isotretneed to be stopped at least one month before you can have the preoperative examination and surgery. Roaccutane causes dry eyes which can interfere with the surgery results.

  • If you are taking any medication, please notify your doctor, especially if you are taking medications for diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, thyroid and all kinds of sleeping pills. You may still take medication as usual.

• Please note that the doctor who conducts the examination will be your surgeon. If you have a preferred doctor, please specify.

• The preoperative eye examination will take approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

• The results of your preoperative eye examination by a surgeon will be divided into the following 3 categories:

  • Your eyes are healthy and you are a suitable candidate for LASIK surgery. You have a very good chance of success and the risks involved are minimal and fall in the normal range. You may make an appointment for LASIK right away or at your convenience.

  • You are not a candidate for LASIK surgery. The reasons could be due to your eye health, general health, or mental health. The doctor may advise other ways to treat your refractive errors such as PRK or ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens), which is an alternative option for your surgery. The doctor will provide additional details for your consideration.

  • You may be a candidate for LASIK surgery. Depending on your examination results, you may be a candidate if your eyes are treated properly so that your eye health is normal and in good condition for surgery. Some examples include dry eyes, allergic reactions from contact lens wear, and eye diseases such as retinal problems or glaucoma.

LASIK is a widely accepted laser eye surgery for correcting refractive errors, using a microkeratome blade and Mel 80 Excimer Laser. Ideal for those 18+ with stable vision, free of eye diseases, not pregnant or breastfeeding, with pre-operative exams and medication guidelines.