A Brief Ovierview Of Lasik Eye Surgery

By:Lisa Scott

LASIK, an acronym for Laser-assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is a form of refractive laser eye surgery procedure performed by ophthalmologists intended for correcting vision. The procedure is usually a preferred alternative to photorefractive keratectomy, PRK, as it requires less time for full recovery, and the patient experiences less pain overall.

The LASIK technique was made possible by Dr Jose Barraquer (Colombia), who around 1960 developed the first microkeratome, used to cut thin flaps in the cornea and alter its shape, in a procedure called keratomileusis. This procedure was developed and pioneered by the world leading Barraquer Clinic, based in Bogota, Colombia.

LASIK surgery was developed in 1990 by Dr. Lucio Buratto (Italy) and Dr. Ioannis Pallikaris (Greece) as a melding of two prior techniques, keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy. It quickly became popular because of its greater precision and lower frequency of complications in comparison with these former two techniques.

In 1991, LASIK was performed for the first time in the United States by Drs. Stephen Brint and Stephen Slade. The same year, Drs. Thomas and Tobias Neuhann successfully treated the first German LASIK patients with an automated microkeratome.

Patients wearing soft contact lenses typically are instructed to stop wearing them approximately 7 to 10 days before surgery. One industry body recommends that patients wearing hard contact lenses should stop wearing them for a minimum of six weeks plus another six weeks for every three years the hard contacts had been worn.

Before the surgery, the surfaces of the patient's corneas are examined with a computer-controlled scanning device to determine their exact shape. Using low-power lasers, it creates a topographic map of the cornea.

This process also detects astigmatism and other irregularities in the shape of the cornea. Using this information, the surgeon calculates the amount and locations of corneal tissue to be removed during the operation. The patient typically is prescribed an antibiotic to start taking beforehand, to minimize the risk of infection after the procedure.

The operation is performed with the patient awake and mobile; however, the patient typically is given a mild sedative (such as Valium or diazepam) and anesthetic eye drops.

Lasik is performed in two steps. The initial step is to create a flap of corneal tissue. This process is achieved with a mechanical microkeratome using a metal blade, or a femtosecond laser microkeratome that creates a series of tiny closely arranged bubbles within the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back, revealing the stroma, the middle section of the cornea. The process of lifting and folding back the flap can be uncomfortable.

The second step of the procedure is to use an excimer laser (193 nm) to remodel the corneal stroma. The laser vaporizes tissue in a finely controlled manner without damaging adjacent stroma by releasing the molecular bonds that hold the cells together. No burning with heat or actual cutting is required to ablate the tissue. The layers of tissue removed are tens of micrometers thick.

During the second step, the patient's vision will become very blurry once the flap is lifted. He or she will be able to see only white light surrounding the orange light of the laser. This can be disorienting.

Currently manufactured excimer lasers use a computer system that tracks the patient's eye position up to 4,000 times per second, redirecting laser pulses for precise placement. After the laser has reshaped the cornea, the Lasik flap is repositioned over the treatment area by the surgeon. The flap remains in position by natural adhesion until healing is completed.

Performing the laser ablation in the deeper corneal stroma typically provides for more rapid visual recovery and less pain.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: Lasik eye surgery, lasik, eye surgery

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Lasik eye surgery has been perfected in recent years, and most of the associated risks are no longer a significant concern.

Top Medicine Articles
1). Follow These Feng Shui Tips And Sleep Better By : Jakob Jelling If you are having problems at the time of falling asleep or you simply wish to improve your sleeping, you should follow the feng shui tips we will
2). Issues Raised by the Surgical Treatment for Inguinal Hernia By : Groshan Fabiola Inguinal hernia is a common type of hernia that occurs in the region of the groin. The disorder usually generates mild, unspecific symptoms, which can be misleading in establishing the correct diagnosis. Most people with inguinal hernia may actually have no symptoms at all, thus rendering the process of diagnosing the disorder even more difficult. The only reliable means of diagnosing inguinal hernia involve MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging), X-ray scans, computerized tomography and laparoscopy.
3). The History Of Cialis By : Samuel Gurgis Cialis is a prescription drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Cialis is the brand name of the drug tadalafil. This medication is known technically as a "reversible phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor". PDE5 inhibitors increase blood flow to the genitals. More information on how Cialis works is available here. Cialis functions the same way as other PDE5 inhibitors in the treatment of ED.
4). Will the Chimigen™ Vaccine Stop Bird Flu, Anthrax and Hepatitis? By : James E. Finch Interviewer: Can you describe ViRexx Medical’s Chimigen™ therapeutic vaccine? Dr. Rajan George: Chimigen therapeutic vaccine is used to produce immune responses in a host against infections which are difficult to produce immune responses, by targeting the vaccine to dendritic cells. The Chimigen platform can be extended to develop therapies for difficult-to-treat chronic infectious diseases.
5). Miracle Glue And Wound Closure! By : Martin Jones Have you ever heard of gluing a cut together? The first time I heard about this I was somewhat shocked. I was selling a product called Miracle Glue at trade shows. I had people telling all the outrageous stories possible about the origins of cyanoacrylates (superglue) - Miracle Glue is in the same category. The prevailing story was that superglue had been invented in the Vietnam era for soldiers.
6). Risk Factors of Pneumonia By : Groshan Fabiola Pneumonia is inflammation and infection of the lungs, causing difficulty breathing, cough and chest pain. Pneumonia can either affect one or both lungs and there are various forms of the disease. The most common causes of pneumonia are: pulmonary infection with viruses (influenza, herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial.
7). Emergency Inguinal Hernia Surgery vs. Elective Inguinal Hernia Surgery By : Groshan Fabiola Inguinal hernia is a very common disorder, affecting millions of people in the United States alone. Considered to be a surgical disease, inguinal hernia accounts for thousands of annual operations worldwide. Although inguinal hernia can occur in both sexes, the disorder predominantly affects men. Also, this type of hernia has the highest incidence in the elderly, people who frequently sustain physical effort and smokers.
8). Effective Alternatives for Antibiotics in the Treatment of Strep Throat By : Groshan Fabiola Strep throat is an illness that commonly accompanies flu or cold. Although it commonly affects children, strep throat can occur at any age. Unlike sore throat, an ailment caused by infection with viral agents, strep throat is caused by infection with group A streptococcus bacteria. These bacteria are very contagious and they can be easily acquired by entering in contact with infected people.
9). New Types of Antibiotics in the Treatment of Strep Throat By : Groshan Fabiola Strep throat is inflammation and swelling of the throat, tonsils and lymph nodes due to infection with group A streptococcus bacteria. Strep throat is very contagious and the bacteria responsible for causing the illness can be easily acquired by entering in contact with contaminated people. Streptococcus bacteria are airborne and they can be transmitted through droplets of mucus produced by cough or sneezing.
10). Coping With Psoriasis & The Psychological Effects By : Jason Herbert The first steps of coming to terms with this skin condition is to speak to a professional that understands.

New Medicine Articles
1). Online Pharmacies Offer Convenience and Privacy By : Michael Connelly This is a story about an embarrassing moment the author experienced at his neighborhood pharmacy while ordering Viagra. It was a painful experience that the author contends could have been avoided if he had ordered his prescription at an online pharmacy.
2). Using Methadone To Reduce The Withdrawal Symptoms In Heroin Addicts By : Heather Colman As a narcotic analgesic, Methadone is a synthetic pain reliever used to treat various conditions and relieve pain, as well as treating the addiction of heroin in users.
3). Understanding The Risks Of Taking Zocor By : Heather Colman Zocor is a medication used to block the production of bad cholesterol and chemicals found in the body that helps produce harmful cholesterol.
4). Using Toprol To Fight High Blood Pressure By : Heather Colman Blood pressure, which is a silent killer, is matter of concern and there are several drugs available, which can be used to combat blood pressure. One such drug is Toprol.
5). The Effectiveness of Using Herbal Remedies To Treat Acne By : Ben Tiew Acne is not caused by dirt, though careful attention to hygiene helps to keep inflammation at bay. A trial done in Singapore a few years ago points to acne being caused by the failure of the body to break down and metabolize oil in the body.
6). How To Reduce Foot Pain By : Dave Wilson Metatarsal stress fractures or a bone spur can cause pain at the top of the foot. A bone spur is an enlarged bone that looks like a bump on top of the foot. The bone spur is likely the result of too much pressure or too tight shoes. The most common remedy for bone spurs involves wearing a larger size shoe and not tying shoelaces quite so tight so that you take some of the pressure off the bone.
7). Curing Foot Arch Pain By : Dave Wilson Are you one of those people who are said to be flat footed? Having a flat foot is a condition where the foot does not have a normal arch. You may find it affects just one or both feet. The arch is the gap between the inner side of the foot and the ground when standing up. There are many people who have very low arches and some who have no arches and are termed flat-footed.
8). How To Relive Foot Pain By : Dave Wilson What causes foot pain? There are many factors that contribute to foot pain • Wearing shoes that do not fit properly — causing calluses and bunions • Obesity or being overweight increases chances of foot problems or injuries. A great tip when buying shoes — buy them in the afternoon when feet are at their largest due to swelling. If you wear heels, no more than one inch is best.
9). Passion rejuvenated with Cialis By : Paul Cris Heads down for the first time I was alone, wondering, what it takes to have sex the next time; it would take more than what I had done till then, my efforts at a satisfactory intercourse was failing miserably at each juncture; and with each women, I found that I was getting lazier once the process started. Maybe, I thought, my work was creeping into my head or maybe, insomnia was biting the flesh out of me.
10). How A First Aid Kit Saved My Life By : Ken Donald A couple of years back I went on a mountain trip, alone. I had walked the same path before as I intended that beautiful morning in May. I parked my car on the parking lot and put on my gear. This particular path was one of the more difficult ones, and I did not meet anyone else out there in the wilderness. After a two hour walk uphill I arrived at a cave entrance that I had passed several times in the past, but never had stopped and entered.