How LASIK Works

Understanding LASIK or laser eye surgery - Are you seeking LASIK in Tallahassee Florida?

To understand how LASIK works it is important to understand the cornea. The cornea is the outer part of the eye where LASIK is performed. In the case of emmetropia or normal vision that is sharp, the cornea refracts light so that it can be positioned correctly onto the eye's lens and then onto the retina for image processing to the brain. Typically most vision disorders are caused by irregularities in the shape of the cornea. LASIK is a highly effective procedure for changing the shape of the cornea and making images refract properly on the lens. LASIK eye surgery can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Laser eye surgery or laser vision correction encompasses a wide range of very effective procedures. LASIK, PRK, epi-LASIK, LASEK and advanced surface ablation (ASA) are among many of the procedures that address laser vision correction. LASIK is an acronym for Laser in-situ keratomileusis, and as previously mentioned the most commonly performed type of laser eye surgery. This procedure is generally safe, effective, and has very few side effects.

LASIK is by far the most popular laser vision correction procedure. LASIK eye surgery has helped millions of people see clearly without dependence on glasses or contact lenses. It has made active lifestyle people happy again. Imagine being able to workout without glasses or see the alarm clock in the middle of the night. For contact lens wearers there is no more discomfort putting lenses in, no more scratchy lenses hitting your eyelids and no more solutions. LASIK is a quick and relatively painless vision correction procedure with an excellent track record of success. Proper pre-operative evaluations are critical to the success of this procedure for you. To get a better understanding regarding whether or not you would be a LASIK candidate please see our LASIK candidacy page.

Understanding what happens during LASIK eye surgery

During LASIK the surgeon first applies anesthetic eye drops to numb the eye for surgery. Next, a suction ring is applied that is designed to hold the eye steady and also confirms the pressure of the eye. The surgeon then creates a thin corneal flap using a device called a microkeratome. The surgeon tests for laser alignment and walks the patient through the fixation process. The corneal flap is lifted up, and the excimer laser is applied to the exposed interior surface of the cornea to reshape the tissue. The computer-controlled excimer laser removes the tissue under the flap and reshapes the cornea of the affected eye. In less than 60 seconds, high-energy pulses from the excimer laser actually reshape the internal cornea. The flap is then repositioned over the treated area. This is the exact corneal flap that serves a natural bandage, which eliminates the discomfort associated with other types of refractive surgery, and expedites the healing process. Eye drops will be applied to assist with the healing process. You will be required to take eye drops on a regular basis in the post-operative period. Your doctor will then watch the eye for five minutes to ensure proper healing. Because of the extraordinary bonding properties of the corneal tissue, stitches are not needed to keep the flap in place postoperatively.

How do I contact the Palmer Eye Center and get more information?

If you are seeking LASIK in Tallahassee, Florida you have come to the perfect place and at the perfect time. Dr. Richard Palmer is the recipient of many local and national academic and research honors and scholarships for his work at both the universities of Nebraska and Creighton. He has published several articles in ophthalmic journals and remains committed to scientific research. His experience and credibility in the field of ophthalmology make him an excellent choice as your surgeon for LASIK vision correction.

Palmer Eye Center
2535 Capital Medical Blvd.
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: (850) 877-7337
Fax:(850) 877-8675