Laser Eye Surgery Procedure

What is laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery is a refractive surgery using a laser. The main difference between each laser eye surgery procedure is the amount of corneal tissue that is disturbed when gaining access to the point of laser application. The amount of tissue that is disturbed is directly related to the discomfort felt and recovery times.

What laser eye surgery procedures are available?

There are mainly three types of laser eye surgery that are popular today: Lasik, Lasek and Epi-Lasik.

lasik eye surgery procedure - involves cutting a flap with a laser or a blade to a thickness of 100 to 180 microns. Prior to the cutting of the flap anaesthetic eye drops are used to numb the eye and a suction ring placed on the surface of the eye to prevent movement during the procedure. This flap is then peeled back to expose the deep corneal tissue to be reshaped. A laser is then used to vaporize corneal tissue to create the appropriate shape required. A process called ablation. After the corneal tissue has been reshaped, the corneal flap is returned to it's original position and allowed to heal with the help of a bandage contact lens.
Lasek eye surgery - also uses a laser to ablate the corneal tissue. However, instead of cutting deep into the corneal tissue, just the thin surface of the cornea (the epithelium) is lifted and peeled back. To do this the surgeon first applies an alcohol based solution to soften the epithelial layer. Then a fine blade called a trephine is used to lift the epithelium. Once exposed, the surface of the cornea as opposed to deeper corneal tissue, is reshaped. A possible complication of the lasek procedure is that the alcohol in the solution may destroy cells in the epithelial layer. It also takes longer to heal than lasik surgery.
Epi-lasek surgery - also removes only the epithelial layer, but does not use alcohol to soften the epithelium. It uses a blunt plastic blade that oscillates its way under the epithelium.

How do I know which procedure is best for me?

A optical surgeon will thoroughly examine the eyes prior to deciding which laser eye surgery is best suited to the patient. The procedure recommended will depend upon the general health of the patient, the size and shape of the cornea, the lifestyle of the patient normally and whether the sight impediment is due to ageing or other health factors.
How much does laser eye surgery cost?

Laser eye surgery cost will vary according to where in the country the clinic is located and the reputation of the surgeon performing the procedure. Be sure not to be influenced by price alone as the cheapest laser eye surgery is not always the best. Carefully research the clinics that have been short listed and contact previous patients for references. Only when references and background checks on the surgeons and clinics are satisfactory, should prices be compared.

Lasik Recovery

What is Lasik Surgery?

There are several types of refractive eye surgery that can be used to reverse the effects of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. The lasik procedure is the most popular and lasik recovery is the fastest. Lasik which stands for laser assisted in situ keratomileusis, uses an excimer laser to perform the reshaping of deep corneal tissue in order to correct the refractive properties of the eye. The reshaping of deep corneal tissue allows the surgery to be performed with little or no discomfort as the surface pain receptors are not disturbed. A thick flap is cut in the corneal surface and repositioned so that natural healing can occur.

What happens during the lasik procedure?

After being carefully seated, anaesthetic eye drops will be applied to the eyes to numb them and an antibacterial wash will be used. The eye will be held open by a retaining tool and a suction ring used to keep it still during the procedure. The patient will be instructed to concentrate on a red or green light whilst the surgeon uses a microkeratome to cut a flap beneath the epithelium, making sure that the epithelial layer is not disturbed. Enough tissue will be left to form a hinge where the flap can be suspended from during the operation. The flap will be folded back to expose the inner cornea, which is then dried in preparation for the laser treatment. The laser is moved into place and then removes the prescribed areas of the cornea using vaporization. When the laser has completed the reshaping of the inner cornea the flap is put back in to place and left to heal.

What happens after the procedure?

Immediately after surgery, the eyes will feel itchy and the patient will have to return to the clinic for a 48 hour check up to assess the healing process. Lasik recovery is more delicate during the first 7 days when the patient should rest well and replace showers with baths to avoid pressurized water contact that could disturb the corneal flap. Goggles will be prescribed for sleeping to prevent rubbing at night and also sun shades to protect the eyes that will be sensitive to light for the first couple of weeks. Anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops may be prescribed to prevent infection and help with discomfort. Some patients report clear vision immediately after surgery whilst others take a few more days to see clearly. Complete vision correction can take up to six months to reach but clearer vision will be almost immediately.

Lasek Eye Surgery

Why have laser eye surgery?

The importance of eyesight, for those people who have it, can not be overstated. As the window to the world, models of expectation and direction are constructed with the eyes and with the help of taste, touch and hearing we map our physical position as being intertwined with our existence. When the quality or strength of our vision is corrupted or reduced in anyway, it can lead to dismay and difficulty in equal measures. It is no wonder that great lengths are gone to in the search for better eyesight with lasek eye surgery.

What did people do before laser eye surgery?

Wearing glasses was the earliest method of refractive control used to correct the eyesight without the need for an operation. It has been reported that as early as 1248 in Italy, glasses were being worn to correct vision and the inventor Salvino D'Armati is credited as being the inventor. Later came the invention of contact lenses and the need to carry spectacles that can be lost or broken was removed. They were fairly easy to use and they tended to stay in place during the course of the day. However, not all eyes accepted contact lenses as well and irritations, infections and dry eyes often resulted for many users of contact lenses. Cleanliness is extremely important and contact lenses were difficult to remove and replace in a hurry. Especially if intense irritation occurs and there is nowhere to wash hands for contact lens handling or no mirror available to help.

When was laser eye surgery first used?

Finally, in the 1980's research enabled a method of refractive surgery that would use a laser beam to reshape the human cornea without damaging any surrounding tissue. The reshaping of the cornea enables vision to be corrected in either direction. Lasek eye surgery was first used in 1996 at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and is one such procedure used commonly today.

What is lasek eye surgery?

Lasek laser eye surgery is a type of refractive surgery which utilizes a laser to reshape the cornea by removing or ablating deep corneal tissue. Lasek or Laser Assisted Sub Epithelial Keratectomy is an upgraded procedure from PRK surgery. No surrounding tissue damage is caused by lasek eye surgery and the results are of a permanent nature. Initially, a flap is cut on the surface of the cornea, either with a blade or a laser, to reveal the inner cornea. The flap is folded back but left attached by a small hinge of tissue remaining. Anaesthetic eye drops are used to numb the eye and a suction ring to keep the eye in position during the procedure. Once the flap has been folded back the exposed corneal tissue will be etched on by laser to the prescribed shape. After the laser procedure the flap is repositioned and allowed to heal naturally.

Laser Eye Surgery UK

Over 160 million people are visually impaired. The least evasive method of vision correction uses spectacles, consisting of two lenses. Each lens in the pair of spectacles is designed to correct the associated eye for either near or long sightedness. For those who do not like the idea of wearing glasses, there is the option of contact lenses which stay hugged to the eyeball. However, this can lead to tired or sore eyes and they are not as easy to remove as glasses. A more recent, and more permanent, method used to correct long or short sightedness is laser eye surgery. Laser eye surgery UK patients are reported to be well over 100 thousand every year.

What is laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery is a type of refractive surgery that utilizes a laser in the procedure. Refractive surgery is any procedure that involves the surgical reshaping of the cornea to help reverse the effects of myopia (short sightedness), hyperopia (long sightedness) and astigmatism (irregular shaped eye). In laser eye surgery, a laser is used to ablate, or remove, corneal tissue until the cornea is the correct refractive shape.

Are there different types of laser eye surgery?

There are several types of laser eye surgery. PRK, Lasik, Lasek and Epi-Lasek are all laser eye surgery procedures carried out by most prominent eye surgery clinics through out the UK. All laser eye surgery procedures, apart from PRK or photorefractive keratectomy, remove the very thin outer layer of the cornea (epithelium) before surgery, then replace it afterwards and allow it to heal naturally. The PRK surgical procedure involves using a laser to reshape the surface of the cornea. The epithelium is not removed prior the the procedure. It is removed along with the tissue being ablated but will grow back over time. This is why the PRK procedure has a longer healing time and it was the first eye surgery procedure used.

Lasik eye surgery achieves the same results as PRK in that it reshapes the cornea, but it uses a blade or a laser to cut a flap form the surface of the eye, with a hinge, that is folded back to reveal the inner cornea. Alcohol is used to soften the cornea before cutting. After the surgical procedure, the flap is repositioned and allowed to heal. The Lasek procedure uses a finer blade to cut a thinner corneal flap and results in a quicker healing time. A further advancement to these procedures is the Epi Lasik method which does not use alcohol to soften before cutting as it uses a blunt oscillating blade to remove only the actual epithelium layer. This reduces the risk of any adverse reactions to the alcohol, such as killing epitherial cells.

Laser Eye Surgery Prices

What is laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery is becoming more and more popular as high street surgeries offer the procedures and confidence grows in the ever improving techniques used. As with any specialist surgery, laser eye surgery prices will vary depending on where the surgery is located and the calibre of surgeons carrying out the procedures. Laser eye surgery is a refractive surgery performed using a laser. The type of laser used will be determined by the type of procedure that is carried out. The laser is used to change the shape of the cornea by ablating (removing by vaporization) the corneal tissue, almost like changing the shape of a convex lens to achieve a particular focal point.

Which laser eye surgery is the best?

Each laser eye surgery procedure has it's benefits, risks, costs and complications which will also depend on the individual patient under consideration. Not every type of laser eye surgery will suit every patient in the same way that not every patient can afford the cost of every laser eye surgery procedure. Which procedure is best will depend on the optical health and condition of each patient

Lasik laser eye surgery - ideal for those in good general health and over 21 years of age. It has been successful in treating long sightedness, short sightedness and astigmatism. Lasik surgery is not suitable for those patients with very thin corneas. The reason for this is that a flap is cut in the surface of the cornea to reveal the deeper corneal tissue to be reshaped by the laser. A substantial amount of cornea is required to perform this procedure.
Lasek Laser eye surgery - ideal for those patients who have thin corneas and are unsuitable candidates for Lasik surgery. It is also the recommended procedure for those involve in contact sports such as rugby, ice hockey and certain aviation careers. A thinner flap is cut just below the cornea so those with thinner corneas are usually recommended for Lasek. For extra thin corneas then epi-lasik would be the solution.
Epi-Lasik – recommended for those with very thin corneas and/or a low refractive error in vision, or mild short sightedness. It is even better than lasek for those involved in contact sports because no corneal flap is cut to reveal the cornea. Only the epithelial layer is peeled away and repositioned after surgery so there is less chance of a flap becoming dislodge by eye trauma.

How much do these procedures cost?

Only average prices are given here because they vary considerably between clinics and locations.

Laser Eye Surgery Prices:

Lasik eye surgery £800 to £2000 or more per eye
Lasek eye surgery £800 to £1500 or more
Epi-lasek surgery £500 to £1000 and above per eye