Laser eye surgery is a surgical procedure that is performed in order to correct vision problems. A lot of progress has been made in recent years in the field of laser vision correction. Laser surgery method requires the use of excimer laser to change the shape of the cornea, so that the light is properly focused onto the retina. Excimer lasers produce a cool, pulsing beam of ultraviolet light at 193 nm. With each pulse the laser breaks molecular bonds between the corneal cells with the accuracy of up to 0.25 micron. Therefore, the precision and accurateness of this procedure is extremely high.
Moreover, frequently a removal of only 50 microns of the corneal tissue (the thickness of about one hair) is required to correct the vision. Furthermore, the cool beam emitted by the laser does not damage or harm the tissue.
Our Eye Surgery Clinic is equipped with the newest generation excimer laser – Mel 70 G Scan produced by Carl Zeiss Meditec (Asclepion Meditec), the world’s leading company specialising in excimer laser technology. The Clinic offers the following laser vision correction surgeries: LASIK, LASEK, EPI-LASIK
- LASIK – type of laser vision correction
- LASEK – type of laser vision correction
- EPI-LASIK – type of laser vision correction
PRE-SURGERY EYE EXAM
In order to decide whether you are a good candidate for laser vision correction, you must undergo a pre-operative exam at our Clinic. Based on that exam the surgeon determines what treatment is the most suitable for you. During this consultation all the necessary eye parameters are measured, as to verify whether laser vision correction is advisable for you.The pre-surgery exam includes the following tests:
- examination of the anterior chamber acuity
- vision acuity for far and near sight
- refractive examination – autorefraktometer (computerized examination)
- intra ocular pressure examination (contactless tonometry)
- corneal thickness examination (pachymetry)
- pupil and corneal diameter examination
- corneal computerized topography map
- posterior chamber and retinal examination
After completing these tests the ophthalmologist discusses the results with you, and chooses the right procedure. You will be informed on how to prepare for the surgery, about each step of the procedure, as well as its risks and finally about the expected results of the surgery. Moreover, the surgeon provides information on the medication and follow-ups. Patients living outside Wroclaw can visit any ophthalmology centre in their hometown and make an appointment for the follow-ups with laser vision correction specialist there.
The surgeon will answer all your questions concerning the procedures. The pre-operational exam lasts about 1,5 to 2 hours. Your vision is likely to stay blurred for about 3 hours following this consultation.
THE DAY OF THE SURGERY
- Do NOT consume any alcoholic beverages at least 48 hour prior your surgery
- Do NOT consume beverages with large amounts of caffeine
- Do NOT use face and body cosmetic products : perfume, deodorants, face creams or make up for 24 hours prior your surgery
- On the day of the procedure wash your head your face and eyes thoroughly
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Plan your trip back home or to your hotel
THE SURGERY:
- The nurse will take you to the operating theatre, where you will put on a medical garment, hair and shoe covers.
- Your face will be thoroughly washed with a disinfecting skin solution.
- Next you will enter the operating theatre, you will recline on the surgical bed in a comfortable position.
- Anaesthetic drops will be applied onto the eye.
- Your face will be covered with sterile surgical cloth with a hole exposing your eye.
- The eyelid retractor will be placed onto your eye, this is completely painless, however you may feel slight discomfort.
- The laser beam arm with the microscopic oculars will be placed above you and carefully aligned with your eye.
- In the LASIK / EPI-LASIK surgery, the microkeratome / epikeratome will create a corneal flap. It is painless, you will only hear the sound of the equipment working.
- In the LASEK procedure an alcohol solution will be applied to enable the removal of the corneal epithelium.
- The laser vision correction is performed using programmed lasers set with your diagnostic parameters data on the exposed corneal stroma tissue. It lasts 30 – 50 seconds. You will hear the laser working. This part of the procedure is completely painless.
- Following laser photoablation, the cornea is carefully washed with isotonic solution and the corneal / epithelial flap is repositioned to its primary location.
- After checking the placement of the corneal flap, the surgeon removes the surgical cloth, and the laser arm is retracted. You can go to the post-operative room.
- In the post-operative room you will rest with your eyes covered. You will feel slight discomfort, a burning sensation as the anaesthetic drops wear off. Tears can also accompany these symptoms. You will also notice increased light sensitivity; therefore we suggest you to wear sunglasses after the procedure.
You should focus on relaxing and staying calm. Your cooperation with the surgeon is vital, and the result of the surgery depends on it.
AFTER THE PROCEDURE
You will stay at the Clinic for a short while for observation. The surgeon will examine your eye in the slip lamp microscope, and if there are no contra-indications, you will be discharged. You may go back home or to your hotel.You will be presented with a medication schedule, which will be explained to you, and the date of your next post-operative follow-ups will be scheduled, usually for the following day. During the follow-up your eye will be carefully examined by the ophthalmologist.
Then you will discuss another check-ups and you will be able to ask the surgeon any questions you may have. As long as there are no contra-indications, your LASIK eye surgery will be deemed completed.
FOLLOWING THE SURGERY REMEMBER TO:
- Follow the doctor’s instructions.
- Rest as much as possible.
- Do NOT rub eye lids, and during night time use the provided by the Clinic eye covers and sleep on your back.
- During baths, do NOT clean eyes with soap, do NOT use cosmetic products and make up for at least several days.
- Wear sunglasses, avoid strong, direct light.
- Avoid dusty and smoky places.
- Do NOT swim in pools, lakes, rivers, seas for 1 month.
- Do NOT perform hard physical work or exercises.
- Do NOT use sunlamps and tanning beds for 1 month.