LASIK surgery is designed to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts. An excimer laser gently reshapes the cornea with computer-controlled precision to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
Dr William Boothe says that there are three kinds of vision disorders that can be corrected or reduced in some manner with LASIK. These are refractive vision disorders including nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. If you currently need to use reading glasses due to presbyopia (loss of accommodation due to aging), you will most likely still need to use reading glasses after LASIK surgery.
At the beginning of the procedure, the patient is given a mild sedative and the eye is anesthetized with eyedrops. Dr William Boothe says LASIK surgery is then performed in two steps. First is the creation of the corneal flap - a very precise, thin flap of tissue about a few human hairs thick on the front surface of the cornea. In the second step, the flap of tissue is folded back and the excimer laser gently reshapes the cornea. The flap is then folded back to its original position. This two-step process allows for rapid visual recovery with little or no discomfort.
Dr William Boothe - LASIK surgery does not require any needles or shots for anesthesia. Anesthetic eyedrops will be placed in your eye. You will be awake and comfortable throughout the procedure.
Q: Is there any pain during LASIK surgery?
A: No. The anesthetic eyedrops make the procedure painless. You may experience a sensation of pressure during a portion of the procedure. Depending upon the procedure performed, you may experience some discomfort for a few days following the procedure.