Herzig Eye Institute in Refractive Surgery on July 26, 2016
Perhaps you’ve considered trading in your old eyeglasses for clear, bright new vision. But you’re worried that laser eye surgery might hurt. We’d like to assure you that Laser Vision Correction is not painful. LASIK (Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a delicate surgical procedure and it allows for a very predictable healing response. Your vision stabilizes rapidly, and you can expect to have little or no discomfort following LASIK. Most patients have driving vision within 24 hours of treatment.
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH LASIK
At Herzig Eye Institute, our IntraLase® method is a 100% blade-free approach to creating a corneal flap. The computer guided IntraLase® laser delivers rapid pulses of light, a quadrillionth of a second each, to a preprogrammed depth and position within your cornea. Each pulse forms a microscopic bubble. As the IntraLase® laser moves back and forth across the eye, the bubbles connect to form a corneal flap. The surgeon then lifts the flap where these bubbles have created a smooth surface.
After gently lifting the corneal flap, the surgeon uses the computer-guided excimer laser to precisely reshape the cornea for corrected vision. IntraLase® provides the surgeon with the capability of creating a thinner, smoother and more uniform corneal flap.
Anesthetic eye drops are used to numb the eye and prevent any discomfort. During the procedure, most people feel very little other than pressure for a few seconds.
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH PRK
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is the same laser procedure as LASIK. It differs, however, in how the cornea is prepared for the laser treatment. With PRK, the corneal epithelium is gently removed and the laser is applied.
Today, PRK is commonly referred to as “surface ablation”, meaning a laser procedure that is applied to the surface of the cornea.
After PRK, some patients may experience mild to moderate irritation until the corneal surface heals (approximately 4 or 5 days). Eye drops and medication are provided to minimize any discomfort.
THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS
The Herzig Eye Institute specializes in matching the appropriate treatment to your unique needs to achieve your best possible vision. Your treatment may involve Laser Vision Correction or one of our other customized treatments.
All clinical decisions are made at the surgeon level, and our surgeons take a conservative approach. If there is any doubt about a procedure being right for the patient, they will not treat until more appropriate technology is available.
