The Lasik – OP

Procedure

Overall, Lasik surgery changes the shape of the cornea. In the case of myopia a flattening of the cornea is desired, in the case of hyperopia a splitting by Lasik to correct the visual defect. After the eye has been anaesthetized (topical anaesthesia), the patient is given an eyelid retractor for an optimal overview of the eye, which presses the eyelids apart and thus keeps the eye open.

General information

To additionally immobilize the eye during Lasik surgery, the patient must permanently fixate a point, the so-called “eye tracker”. The Lasik surgery then begins with an incision in the cornea, which is parallel to the surface of the cornea. At the same time the eye is stabilized with a suction ring. The instrument used for this purpose in Lasik surgery is called a microkeratome. The thin corneal part, a corneal lamella (flap), which is cut out of the cornea (150μm), is then folded up so that the underlying corneal tissue (stroma) can be removed by means of a special laser – excimer laser

Procedure of the surgery

During the cutting process of the Lasik surgery, the applied suction causes the patient to go blind for a short time due to the increased eye pressure and the resulting pressure on the optic nerve. Finally, the flap and the space underneath (interface) are thoroughly rinsed, the flap is folded back again and fixed to the remaining cornea. The rinsing during Lasik surgery is important to ensure that no foreign bodies (e.g. dust particles) remain under the flap.

Sutures or the like to fix the corneal flap are not necessary, since it “sticks” to the remaining corneal tissue to a certain extent. This is achieved by capillary forces and the inwardly directed liquid suction. Finally, after the Lasik operation, an antibiotic, a steroid (“cortisone“) and, if necessary, a non-steroidal anti-rheumatic agent (NSAID) are dropped into the operated eye and this is protected with a firm shell or protective goggles for a total of three days.

The flap is checked both after one hour and after one day. Postoperatively, antibiotic treatment (antibiotic eye drops) is necessary for a period of one week. Steroid drops should also be administered for this period. In order to improve the wetting of the eye, the patient should drip his eyes regularly for one to six months after Lasik.