LASIK Eye Surgery San Diego

Technical advances in optometry and surgery have helped many people correct their vision problems in recent years.  A significant advancement has been LASIK eye surgery.   The term LASIK is now commonly used and is an acronym for Laser-Assisted in-situ Keratomileusis.  This procesdue is used to correct problems such as astigmatism, myopia and hyperopia – generally near and far-sightedness.  A special laser called the Excimer laser is used to reshape the surface of the corneal bed in the eye, which is just beneath the cornea.  This reshaping changes the shape of the lens, and corrects the person’s vision.  It is able to etch tiny areas of the tissue without damaging other tissue in the area.

The LASIK method has been refined and developed to accommodate people with different requirements.  The traditional and most common method - Photorefractive Keratectomy – (PRK) – is used for people with extreme near or far-sightedness.  A procedure called Wavefront LASIK Surgery has been approved since 2002, and uses a computer to map out the patient’s retina so that a more accurate re-shaping of the cornea can occur.  The method uses a wavefront sensor to instruct the Excimer laser to accurately vaporize small areas of the eye tissue.

Why LASIK Surgery?
In 2008, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery surveyed articles on over 2,200 LASIK patients from around the world and found that about 95% gave a high-satisfaction rating to the result of their surgeries.  

Wavefront LASIK Advantages
Studies of people who have undergone Wavefront LASIK eye surgery indicate that the results are more reliable and that people are more satisfied with results  from Wavefront LASIK surgery over  traditional LASIK.  The new method has eliminated or reduced some undesirable side effects such as blurry vision, glare, and halos, as well as near and far-sightedness.   People who have had Wavefront LASIK report 20/20 vision, whereas only about 80% of people who have had traditional LASIK do.

LASIK Procedure

Before the Operation
If you wear contact lenses, your doctor will tell you to stop wearing them several weeks before the surgery. Hard contact lens wearers may be asked to stop using them 6 weeks or more before surgery, and soft contact lens wearers may be asked to stop using them 5 days to 3 weeks before.  You could also receive an antibiotic before the surgery to minimize the possibility of infection.
Preparation for LASIK surgery is very important.  A specialized topographer uses a computer and a pachymeter to figure out how thick your corneas are, and measures the contour of your cornea’s surface. These measurements give the surgeon a good idea of the particular shape and irregularities of your eye, and prepare him/her for the operation.  

During the Operation
Just before surgery you are given a local anesthetic as well as anesthetic eye drops.  You will be awake during the surgery.  Occasionally patients are also given a sedative such as Valium.  After you are properly anesthetized, the surgeon must expose the under layer of the cornea.  Either a metal blade is used to cut away the upper layer of the cornea (microkeratome) or a laser is used (femtosecond laser microkeratome) to expose the middle layer of the cornea, called the stroma.  The outer flap that was cut is folded back to be replaced after the reshaping is completed.

Next, the Excimer laser is used to remove very fine layers of stroma tissue and reshape the cornea.  The laser will correct irregularities and reshape the cornea such for optimal vision.  The patient may experience some disorientation during this step, as their vision will be blurred.  

When the Excimer laser reshaping is finished, the surgeon replaces the LASIK flap back over the treatment area.  No air bubbles or debris should be under the flap.  This flap will stick back to the eye will heal itself into place. The entire procedure usually takes about 15 minutes.  

After Your LASIK Surgery
Following surgery, the doctor will have you remain in the office for a short time to make sure you are OK.  You cannot drive for a few hours, so someone must take you home.  It is recommended to rest for a few hours and you will be able to return to work and normal activates the next day.   You will be given antibiotics and anti-inflammatory eye drops as well.   You should also wear darkened glasses to protect your eyes from bright light, and it is recommended that you wear goggles overnight for a few weeks to prevent rubbing your eyes during sleep.  
Strenuous exercise and workouts should be avoided in the first week after surgery and contact sports should not be played for about a month.

San Diego, CA
The second largest city in California, San Diego is located just north of the Mexican border at Tijuana.   A thriving city that hosts several military bases, its business community hosts industries such as electronics, manufacturing, agriculture, financial and business services, biotechnology and biosciences, software development, telecommunications and tourism.   Several colleges and universities are located in San Diego, including the University of California, San Diego, San Diego State University, The Art Institute of California- San Diego, San Diego Community College District, the California Western School of Law, and Thomas Jefferson School of Law.  San Diego enjoys a mild coastal climate and scenic beaches that attract many southern California visitors.