LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) is a type of refractive eye surgery that is used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It is a widely known and one of the most commonly performed refractive eye operations.
The surgery is performed by using a laser to reshape the cornea, which is the clear, front part of the eye that refracts (bends) light to help focus it onto the retina. This alteration of the shape and power of the cornea makes a change in the bending (refraction) of incoming light. This allows all the light to focus on a single point at the back of the eye similar to a normal person.
During LASIK surgery, the surgeon will use a laser to create a thin, hinged flap on the cornea. They will then lift the flap and use a second laser to remove some of the corneal tissue to reshape the cornea. The flap is then put back in place and left to heal naturally, without the need for stitches.
LASIK surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure and takes about 10 to 15 minutes per eye. Most people experience improved vision within a few days, although it may take a few weeks for the full results to be apparent.
- What is Lasik eye surgery
- Is Lasik eye surgery right for you?
- How is Lasik Eye Surgery performed
- Risks
- Getting prepared
- What to expect during procedure
- After lasik
- Results
- Reviews
What is Lasik eye surgery?
LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. It’s a quick, minimally invasive surgical procedure performed in our Los Angeles LASIK eye surgery clinic.
The goal of the procedure is to correct refractive errors in the eye, which can cause blurry vision and difficulties in seeing clearly. Refractive errors occur when the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing correctly on the retina. This leads to nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
LASIK can be used to correct these refractive errors. It accomplishes this by reshaping the cornea. The new shape changes the way that light enters the eye.
This can lead to significant improvements in visual acuity. In most patients, it can even reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.
Is Lasik eye surgery right for you?
Most adults with good eye health are strong candidates for the LASIK procedure.
The following qualities describe the ideal candidate:
- Over 21 years of age
- Has good eye health (no disease, infections, injury, or chronic dry eye)
- Has good overall physical health
- Is not taking immune-suppressing medications
- Has had a stable vision prescription for at least one year
- Is not currently pregnant or nursing
Ensure that your job does not prohibit refractive surgeries. For example, many first responders, including firefighters, police officers, and EMTs, cannot attempt LASIK. The same may be true for members of the military and certain professional-level athletes.
The only way to confirm that LASIK is right for you is to consult with a LASIK eye surgeon in Los Angeles.
How is Lasik Eye Surgery performed?
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) eye surgery is performed in several steps:
- Preparation: Before the surgery, you will be given numbing eye drops to prevent any discomfort during the procedure. Your eye will be cleaned and marked to guide the laser.
- Creation of corneal flap: The surgeon will create a thin flap in the outer layer of your cornea using a microkeratome (a mechanical device with a fine blade) or a femtosecond laser (a computer-controlled laser). The surgeon will then lift the flap and fold it back to expose the underlying cornea.
- Reshaping the cornea: The surgeon will use an excimer laser to reshape the underlying cornea by removing small amounts of tissue. The laser uses a cool beam of light to precisely remove tissue from the cornea without generating heat, minimizing the risk of damage to surrounding tissues. The excimer laser is guided by a computerized mapping system that uses pre-operative measurements of your eye to ensure precise treatment.
- Repositioning the corneal flap: After the cornea has been reshaped, the surgeon will carefully reposition the corneal flap over the treated area and smooth it out.
- In a minute or two, it will stick back just like a bandage.
Risks of the procedure
Like any surgical procedure, LASIK eye surgery has some potential risks and complications that should be considered before deciding to undergo the procedure. Some of these risks include:
- Overcorrection or undercorrection: In some cases, the laser may remove too much or too little tissue, resulting in overcorrection or undercorrection of the refractive error.
- Dry eyes: LASIK surgery can cause temporary or permanent dryness of the eyes, which can lead to discomfort, burning, or a foreign body sensation.
- Flap complications: The creation of the corneal flap during the surgery can result in complications such as incomplete flaps, flap dislocation, or wrinkles.
- Glare, halos, and double vision: Some people may experience glare, halos, or double vision, particularly at night or in low-light conditions.
- Infection and other complications: Although rare, LASIK surgery can lead to infection, inflammation, or other complications that may affect the outcome of the surgery.
- Regression: In some cases, the effects of LASIK may diminish over time, particularly in patients with high refractive errors.
Conditions that increase risks
There are certain eye conditions and health factors that can increase the risk of complications or reduce the effectiveness of LASIK eye surgery. Some of these conditions include:
- Thin or irregular corneas: LASIK surgery involves reshaping the cornea, so if the cornea is too thin or irregularly shaped, it may not be possible to safely perform the procedure.
- Large pupils: People with larger-than-average pupils may be more likely to experience glare, halos, or double vision after LASIK surgery, particularly in low-light conditions.
- High refractive error: People with very high levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism may not be good candidates for LASIK surgery due to the potential for overcorrection or undercorrection.
- Age: LASIK surgery is typically not recommended for people under 18 years of age, as their eyes may still be changing and their refractive error may not be stable.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Hormonal changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding can affect the shape of the cornea and the accuracy of pre-operative measurements, so LASIK surgery is usually postponed until after these periods.
- Eye diseases: People with certain eye diseases or conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts, or corneal disease, may not be good candidates for LASIK surgery.
Getting prepared for the big day
Preparing for LASIK eye surgery involves a few key steps to ensure the best possible outcome and reduce the risk of complications. Here are some general guidelines to follow:
- Consultation with an eye doctor: The first step in preparing for LASIK surgery is to schedule a consultation with a qualified eye doctor who can assess your eye health and determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. During the consultation, your doctor will perform a comprehensive eye exam and discuss your medical history, any medications you are taking, and any underlying health conditions that may affect the surgery.
- Stop wearing contact lenses: If you wear contact lenses, you will need to stop wearing them for a period of time before the surgery. This is because contact lenses can alter the shape of the cornea and affect the accuracy of pre-operative measurements. Your doctor will advise you on how long to stop wearing your contact lenses before the surgery.
- Arrange for transportation: LASIK surgery is an outpatient procedure, but you will need to arrange for transportation to and from the surgery center, as your vision may be blurry and your eyes may be sensitive to light immediately following the procedure.
- Avoid eye makeup and lotions: You will need to avoid using eye makeup, lotions, and creams on the day of the surgery, as these can increase the risk of infection.
- Eat a light meal: It is recommended that you eat a light meal before the surgery, as you will be awake and alert during the procedure.
- Follow pre-operative instructions: Your doctor will provide you with specific pre-operative instructions to follow, such as taking any prescribed medications, avoiding certain foods or drinks, and refraining from strenuous exercise or activities that may cause eye strain.
Following these guidelines can help ensure a safe and successful LASIK surgery, but it is important to discuss any concerns or questions with your eye doctor to ensure that you are fully prepared and comfortable with the procedure.
What To Expect
Before the procedure
Before LASIK eye surgery, you can expect to undergo several pre-operative evaluations and measurements to ensure that you are a good candidate for the procedure and to determine the correct amount of corneal tissue to be removed. Here are some of the steps you can expect before the surgery:
- Comprehensive eye exam: Your eye doctor will perform a thorough eye exam to evaluate your eye health, vision, and refractive error. This may include tests such as visual acuity, refraction, corneal topography, and pupil dilation. In our Los Angeles and Ventura offices we perform the newest technology digital eye exams. These include Slit lamp pictures, Retina photos, and the like.
- Corneal thickness measurement: Your doctor will use a special instrument called a pachymeter to measure the thickness of your cornea. This measurement is important in determining how much corneal tissue can safely be removed during the surgery.
- Wavefront analysis: Your doctor may perform a wavefront analysis to create a detailed map of the way light travels through your eye. This information can be used to guide the laser during the surgery, and to help minimize the risk of complications such as glare, halos, or double vision.
- Dilating eye drops: Your doctor may use dilating eye drops to enlarge your pupils and get a better view of the inside of your eye during the exam. The drops may cause temporary blurring of vision and sensitivity to light.
- Discussion of risks and benefits: Your doctor will discuss the potential risks and benefits of LASIK surgery with you, and answer any questions you may have. It is important to fully understand the procedure and its possible outcomes before deciding to proceed.
After these evaluations and discussions, you will be scheduled for the LASIK surgery. It is important to follow any pre-operative instructions provided by your doctor to ensure that you are fully prepared for the procedure.
During the procedure
During LASIK eye surgery, you can expect the following general steps:
- Numbing drops: Your doctor will place numbing drops in your eyes to prevent any discomfort during the surgery. You may also be given a mild sedative to help you relax.
- Eyelid holder: Your doctor will use a small instrument called an eyelid holder to keep your eye open during the surgery.
- Creation of corneal flap: Your doctor will use a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser to create a thin flap in the outer layer of the cornea. This flap is then lifted to expose the underlying corneal tissue.
- Reshaping of the cornea: Using an excimer laser, your doctor will reshape the cornea by removing tiny amounts of tissue. The laser is guided by a computerized mapping system that uses the pre-operative measurements to ensure precise treatment.
- Corneal flap repositioning: After the cornea has been reshaped, the corneal flap is carefully repositioned and allowed to adhere to the underlying cornea without the need for stitches.
- The entire procedure typically takes only 10-15 minutes per eye, and you will be awake and alert throughout the surgery. You may feel some pressure on your eye during the creation of the corneal flap, but the procedure is generally painless.
After the surgery, your eyes may be slightly blurry or hazy, and you may experience mild discomfort or a burning sensation. Your doctor will provide instructions on how to care for your eyes, including using prescribed eye drops and avoiding certain activities such as swimming or heavy exercise for a few weeks. It is important to follow these instructions to ensure proper healing and to minimize the risk of complications.
After the Lasik Surgery
After LASIK eye surgery, it is normal to experience some discomfort and mild side effects, but most patients are able to return to normal activities within a few days. Here are some of the things you can expect after the procedure:
- Blurry or hazy vision: Your vision may be blurry or hazy immediately after the surgery, but this typically improves within the first day or two.
- Mild discomfort: You may experience mild discomfort, burning, or itching in your eyes, which can be relieved with over-the-counter pain medications or prescribed eye drops.
- Sensitivity to light: Your eyes may be more sensitive to light than usual, so it is important to wear sunglasses or other protective eyewear when outdoors.
- Dry eyes: Your eyes may feel dry or gritty after the surgery, but this can be managed with prescribed lubricating eye drops.
- Follow-up appointments: You will need to attend follow-up appointments with your doctor to monitor your progress and ensure proper healing. Your doctor may also prescribe additional medications or make adjustments to your treatment as needed.
It is important to follow any post-operative instructions provided by your doctor to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of complications. You should avoid rubbing your eyes, swimming, or engaging in strenuous activities for a few weeks after the surgery, as these activities can increase the risk of infection or other complications.
Most patients are able to return to work and normal activities within a few days after the surgery, although it is important to avoid activities that could cause trauma to the eyes or increase the risk of infection. With proper care and follow-up, most patients experience significant improvements in their vision and a reduction in their dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
Results
The goal of LASIK eye surgery is to correct refractive errors in your vision, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, and to reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses. The results of LASIK surgery can vary depending on the severity of your refractive error and other factors, but clinical trials have shown patients achieve significant improvements in their vision.
Most patients experience a rapid improvement in their vision within the first day or two after the surgery, although it can take several days or weeks for the full effects to be noticeable. Some patients may require additional adjustments or enhancements to achieve the desired level of vision correction.
The vast majority of patients who undergo LASIK surgery report being satisfied with their results. According to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, approximately 90% of LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision or better after the surgery, and more than 95% achieve 20/40 vision or better, which is the legal requirement for driving without glasses or contact lenses in the United States. At Khanna Vision Institute we pay attention to detail to craft a personalized strategy. We use advanced iDesign technology to generate 99% 20/20 vision.
It is important to keep in mind that while LASIK can significantly improve your vision, it is not a guarantee of perfect vision. Some patients may experience side effects such as glare, halos, or dry eyes, and there is a small risk of serious complications such as infection or vision loss. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of LASIK surgery with your doctor to determine if it is the right option for you.
Reviews of the best lasik eye surgery in Los Angeles
Why choose Khanna Vision Institute for Lasik in Los Angeles
- He has successfully performed tens of thousands of vision correction procedures.
- He offers various kinds of advanced lasers and flap making technology.
- Dr. Khanna has done Lasik eye surgery on his son, mom and his staff members. He will treat you like family too!
- Trustworthy with excellent bedside manners. Voted best Lasik Surgeon in Los Angeles.
- He personally performs exams before and after Laser surgery on all patients.
- Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
- Dr. Khanna offers alternatives to Lasik Eye Surgery like Superlasik, PRK with Cross Linking and EVO ICL.
- Certified and caring staff.
- Click on the name for more information about Rajesh Khanna, MD, and pursue Lasik surgery in Los Angeles today.
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