| LASIK (Laser in situ Keratomileusis) |
| LASIK has been performed since 1991. In LASIK, a mechanically driven microkeratome cuts a thin flap in the cornea which is then opened up like the cover of a book. Then the deeper layers of the cornea are reshaped by the laser. In the case of shortsightedness, the central cornea is flattened whereas in longsightedness, the periphery is treated to created a steeper central cornea. Subsequently the flap is then replaced. The flap remains in place through capillary action and protects the treated area of the cornea. As a result, patients experience generally no pain after the procedure.
LASIK can be used to treat the following refractive errors:
Shortsightedness
up to -10.00 Diopters
Mikrokeratom Animation (402 KB) |
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| With a precision knife, an incision is placed to create a thin flap of the cornea (0.16 mm). |
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| The corneal flap is flapped back like a book cover. |
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| The exposed lower corneal tissue is reshaped according to the refractive error. |
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| The corneal flap is repositioned back onto the stromal bed. It sticks to the corneal tissue on its own and acts like a bandaid. |
