Insight Vision

Lasik and Refractive procedures

WHAT IS REFRACTIVE SURGERY OR LASER VISION CORRECTION?

If the eyeball is longer or shorter than normal or the shape of the cornea is deviant from normal, a person needs to wear glasses or contact lenses to help focus the light on the eye camera film (retina). We can’t change the length of the eyeball, but we can surely remove glasses by working on the cornea or on the lens. The process by which the shape of the cornea is remodelled so that you don’t need glasses anymore is called REFRACTIVE SURGERY or LASER VISION CORRECTION. Laser vision correction procedures are highly effective, and most patients no longer need contacts or eyeglasses for distance vision.

Dr. Amruta Padhye Sudrik

DNB – Ophthalmology, MNAMS, FICO (UK) | Consultant Ophthalmologist | Phaco & Refractive Eye Surgeon

Dr. Amruta is highly experienced in helping patients to eliminate or reduce their need for the contacts and eyeglasses they use for near-sightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. 

REFRACTIVE LASER SUITE

We are equipped with the WAVELIGHT®EX500 Excimer Laser which has the following benefits

  • STITCHLESS
  • The entire procedure takes 10 or 15 minutes
  • NO INJECTION, only a numbing anaesthetic eye drop.
  • Visual recovery is rapid and patients report very little post-operative discomfort or pain which usually dissipates in a few hours.
  • The return of vision is rapid, and 80 to 90% of the visual recovery may be present by the next day.
 

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT SURGERY OPTIONS FOR LASER VISION CORRECTION?

LASIK (CONTOURA CORRECTION)

LASIK utilises the excimer cool-beam laser to vaporise a small amount of corneal tissue beneath the surface of the cornea to reshape the cornea. LASIK is an acronym for Laser-Assisted in-Situ Keratomileusis. 

To perform LASIK, the surgeon uses an instrument called a microkeratome to create and fold back a thin layer of cornea. The creation of this flap takes about 30 seconds and the only sensation the patient feels is pressure and an occasional pinching of the eyelid.

Step 1: After numbing of the eye, a mechanical blade – Microkeratome creates a LASIK flap on the cornea of desired thickness. This flap is then manually lifted revealing the Stroma.
Step 2: The Excimer laser ablates the pre calculated corneal tissue on the Stroma that in turn reshapes the cornea
Step 3: The LASIK flap is carefully repositioned over the treatment area by the surgeon, who then may or may not use a bandage contact lens.

 

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)

It is a form of laser eye surgery used to precisely alter the shape of the cornea by removing a small number of cells from the outer layer using an excimer laser. PRK surgery is extremely effective and can greatly improve your vision without cutting a corneal flap as is done with the LASIK procedure

PROS: We believe it is one of the safest and best method of laser vision correction available today. PRK has the following advantages over LASIK:

  • Equal visual outcomes than LASIK
  • Absence of corneal cutting, flap creation and weakening the cornea
  • The low incidence of complications related to creating a LASIK flap is avoided because there is no flap
  • Extremely low chance of serious complications; PRK has lower chance of serious complications than long term contact lens wear
  • Lack of dry eye symptoms induced by procedure


CONS: Slightly longer visual recovery time (about 10-15 days)

Femtosecond Lasik / Blade free Lasik

Technique: Newer flap making method utilises the femtosecond laser (Intralase) to create a flap. The laser can create a flap in less than a minute at a precise depth. However, it is still a procedure that as it involves creating a flap, it has a similar profile of risks and benefits as LASIK. 

Laser Technique: Advanced computer technology, including wavefront technology, is used to adjust the laser for your particular prescription. You will be asked to look at a green blinking target light for a short time. The Wavelight®ex500 Excimer Laser is equipped with a special tracking device that helps to center the laser in the proper position over your eye and follows your eye even if it moves.

The laser light pulses will then painlessly remove the tissue. The thin flap of corneal tissue is folded back into its original position where it bonds after several minutes of drying.

Step 1: Cornea flap is created and lifted.
Step 2: An Excimer laser is used to correct the refractive error.
Step 3: Repositioned flap is allowed to heal and adhere naturally

Presbyond or Laser Blended Vision

Presbyond laser blended vision is a treatment for people who have an age-related vision disorder, known as presbyopia. As we age, the natural lens of our eyes starts losing its flexibility. It results in the loss of our ability to near-focus.

Presbyond laser treatment is suitable for people suffering from presbyopia. It is primarily used to compensate for reading glasses, though it can also be combined with correction for refractive errors like shortsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Many patients above the age of forty consider going for presbyond laser blended vision while going for any laser vision correction.

Benefits of Presbyond laser treatment

  • Works like Lasik: Presbyond laser treatment is an advanced form of Lasik vision correction. It uses a well-established procedure with proven long-term results.
  • Customized treatment: Presbyond laser treatment is always tailor-made based on an individual’s requirements
  • Minimally invasive and offers quick recovery:
  • People who have undergone Presbyond laser treatment can experience clear vision within 48 hours after the procedure.

ADVANTAGES OF LASER VISION CORRECTION​

The laser light pulses will then painlessly remove the tissue. The thin flap of corneal tissue is folded back into its original position where it bonds after several minutes of drying.

You DO NOT need an eye operation. It’s a “Stitchless” procedure. The entire procedure takes just 10 or 15 minutes. No Injection, only a numbing anaesthetic eye drop. Visual recovery is rapid, and patients report very little postoperative discomfort or pain which usually dissipates in a few hours. The return of vision is rapid, and 80 to 90% of the visual recovery may be present by the next day.

ARE YOU A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR REFRACTIVE SURGERY ?

Refractive Surgery is a great option for you if you are;