How LASIK Works | waco-lasik

The Four Major Steps to LASIK

Mapping Your Eye’s Imperfections -

Your eyes are as unique as your fingerprint. When you have a refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism), your eyes have specific irregularities causing your vision to be less than optimum. These irregularities must be precisely identified in order to produce excellent vision. Dr. Walters uses the VisX S4 laser which is the most precise laser vision correction technology available. Dr. Walters uses digital mapping to capture each eye’s unique imperfections with greater accuracy than ever before. This advanced technology creates a detailed 3D map of the cornea’s surface which Dr. Walters then programs into a digital treatment plan which is used to perform your LASIK procedure.

Creation of the “Corneal Flap” -

The creation of the corneal flap can actually happen in one of two ways. In the early days of LASIK doctors used a high speed spinning hand-held blade, called a microkeratome, to cut the corneal flap. At Waco Custom LASIK & Cataract Center, we use a special femtosecond laser called the IntraLase to create the corneal flap. The IntraLase produces over a million tiny bubbles that gently separate the corneal tissue and creates a customized flap of the desired thickness, size, orientation and location. This all-laser approach is the safest method for patients while providing greater precision and accuracy than the spinning blade.

Reshaping of the Cornea -

Once the flap is gently folded back, the excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea into a round shape. The laser we use at Waco Custom LASIK & Cataract Center is called the VisX S4. With the precision of this advanced laser, most patients need a very miniscule section of tissue removed – about the thickness of a human hair – to make the correction. This entire process takes just minutes per eye. During the procedure, patients may feel slight pressure on their eyes. Rubbing your eyes, putting in contacts, or removing contacts can cause more pressure than LASIK.

Replacing the Corneal Flap -

After the cornea has been reshaped, the flap is folded back into place where it immediately begins bonding with the tissue. Healing is quite rapid and most people can return to normal activity the very next day.