Type of Surgery

Information

Doctor Certified

Last updated: 11/24/2009

Purpose

Laser eye surgery is one option for permanent or long term correction of vision that promises to eliminate the need for corrective lenses. LASEK eye surgery is one of several laser procedures that can correct refractive errors of the eye. LASEK...

or laser assisted subepithelial keratectomy uses a laser to resurface and reshape the eye. This allows light to sharply focus on the back of the eye (retina). LASEK is sometimes chosen by ophthalmologists when LASIK is not appropriate. When dry eye symptoms are a problem or when flap-related issues that occur with LASIK would be a particular problem, LASEK eye surgery is usually the procedure of choice.


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This video shows how vision is dependent on light entering the front of the eye and focusing on the retina at the back of the eye. When this focus cannot be accomplished by the eye muscles or lens of the eye, it results in nearsightedness or farsightedness. Sometimes changes in the cornea can correct these errors of refraction.

Related Videos

Physiology of the Cornea

Most laser vision correction procedures like LASIK involve shaping the cornea so that light can be properly focused on the back of the eye, or retina. This video shows how the anatomy of the eye works to harness light so that we can see. The role of the cornea in vision is also discussed.

How LASIK eye surgery is carried out

Crisp images from our world require that light is focused on the back of the eye. When light cannot focus properly, it is called an error of refraction and is often caused by an irregular or improperly shaped cornea. LASIK improved errors of refraction in the eye by reshaping the cornea, as the animation explains.

The Eye and sight process

Any object that we see is a collection of light energy focused on the retina. The lens of the eye helps us see near and far things equally well. This animation describes how the lens of the eye changes to accommodate and focus light.

Lasik & Cataract

This narrated animation describes the function of the major structures of the eye, namely the pupil, iris, lens, cornea, and retina.

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Other Information

Approximately 56% of all patients achieve results of 20/20 or better and over 90% achieve 20/40 or better (which is good enough to drive without corrective lenses in most regions).1 Those with moderate to high myopia (greater than 7 diopters) have a lesser chance of achieving that result. As technique and technology improve, the results continue to improve.


From: Eye Surgery Education Council

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