How Does Laser Eye Surgery Work?

How does Laser eye surgery work? Currently, the excimer laser has been approved by the FDA for two procedures, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK). The laser beam used in both procedures is very precise and gentle in its approach. With each pulse of the light beam, 39 millionths of an inch of tissue can be removed in 12 billionths of a second. Laser surgery is currently being used to correct eyesight problems such as farsightedness and astigmatism.

The PRK procedure is usually performed as an outpatient service under local anesthetics. Removing very tiny pieces of tissue in this surgery reshapes the cornea of the eye. The surgery does not hurt but for a period of up to three days, the patient will feel minimal to moderate discomfort. Normally you can't drive during this period and you may experience a temporary hazing effect.

LASIK is a different type of procedure than PRK. The surgeon cuts a flap in the cornea's tissue and uses the laser beam to gentle slice away tissue, then the surgeon replaces the flap back to normal. LASIK is considered by many eye surgeons to be useful in many types of corrective eye surgeries including procedures to correct farsightedness with astigmatism. Even the most severe cases are candidates for laser eye surgery.

People who need to have corrective surgery on both eyes many times will have laser surgery done on both the same day. Laser eye surgery is considered very safe with very few patients needing eyeglasses or contacts afterwards. Usually by the next day, most patients notice a remarkable improvement in natural vision. With this procedure, astigmatism axis cylinder contact lenses are not needed for those with nearsightedness.