What is LASIK Laser Eye Surgery?

In 1995, a procedure called Laser-Assisted Stromal In-situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) became available in the United States for the treatment of myopia and astigmatism. The procedure has gained popularity, and now LASIK and other types of refractive surgery such as PRK/ASA, NearVisionSM CK® and refractive lens implants help hundreds of thousands of patients a year overcome nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Our LASIK laser eye surgery center is located in St. Louis and draws prospective LASIK patients from St. Charles and surrounding Missouri areas.

LASIK vision correction is a procedure that uses a laser to change the shape of the cornea (the clear window of the eye) and is used to treat low to high levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. It is performed by creating a flap in the cornea using an instrument called a microkeratome. During this process, you may feel a little pressure, but no pain. Once the flap is created, the microkeratome is removed, and the corneal flap is gently folded out of the way. Next, your laser treatment will be applied, and in most cases will be completed in just a matter of seconds. During this time, you will be asked to look directly at a target light while the laser reshapes your cornea and corrects your vision. To finish the procedure, the protective flap is folded back into place where it bonds without the need for sutures. All said, from start to finish, the laser procedure takes about ten minutes to perform per eye. In just twenty minutes or less, you can dramatically change your vision and life!

LASIK is for those who:

  • are at least 18 years of age
  • want to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses or contacts
  • have had a stable eye prescription for at least one year
  • have no health issues affecting their eyes

The technique used during LASIK eye surgery is the same, whether it is performed for the treatment of myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism. The difference lies in how the central part of the cornea is shaped during the procedure. For nearsightedness, the laser removes tissue from the center of the cornea, flatting it in order to allow light rays to focus on the retina – the back of the eye. For farsightedness, the laser is directed to the periphery of the cornea making the central cornea steeper. During astigmatism correction, the laser sculpts the cornea in a manner to result in a more spherical shape following the procedure. Astigmatism treatment is often combined with treatments for nearsightedness or farsightedness. The common goal in all laser eye surgery treatments is to focus light entering into the eye directly on the Retina, the back of eye, for crisp, clear vision.

Following the laser treatment, the flap of cornea is repositioned. Healing after a LASIK procedure is quick, with visual recovery usually occurring within 24 hours. LASIK is a safe and effective way to improve your vision! Many patients who have undergone LASIK eye surgery often wonder why they waited so long to get it.

Am I a candidate for LASIK Laser Eye Surgery?
Today, almost anyone with refractive vision problems (nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism) may improve their vision through laser vision correction procedures, allowing greater freedom from glasses or contact lenses.

To find out if you are a candidate for LASIK laser eye surgery, please call our office for a complete LASIK evaluation. During this appointment, we will determine your visual needs and assess the health of your eyes as well as your expectations for the surgery. Many factors are considered before we can help you decide whether LASIK or another type of vision correction is a good choice for your individual needs.  We currently work with Mulqueeny Eye Centers and TLC for our patients considering refractive surgery.  We will be happy provide you with information about their offices or answer any questions you have regarding another laser vision center.

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