Lasik
Correction of myopia, hyperopia and/or astigmatism

Laser

In 1982 scientists discovered that by mixing different gases, they could produce laser beams of different lengths. A 193-nanometre laser beam was of particular interest because it allowed the removal of tissue molecules by vaporization. This type of laser uses neither heat nor explosions, resulting in a painless operation with virtually no damage to the eye - it was the origin of refraction treatment through laser technology.

The 100% Vision Clinic uses the laser ZYOPTIX 100 from Bausch & Lomb. This high-technology apparatus uses iris recognition to fully customize the laser to the personal characteristics of your eye, in order to have a very specific intervention. Guided by a powerful computer and a high-quality optic system, it provides extremely precise treatments of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. This high-technology apparatus is from the third generation of lasers, and it also operates as a scanner. By combining it with the Hansatome microkeratome, it greatly facilitates Lasik surgery.

These days, most of the laser surgeries performed in the world are done with this laser.

The Lasik

In the 1940s, Dr. Jose Barraqeur developed a new surgical procedure that involved a lateral incision in the cornea allowing the surgeon to lift a thin layer of it and treat directly underneath. But it wasn't until the discovery of the laser that Dr. Barraqeur's technique was used in refractive surgery, allowing surgeons to treat the bottom of the cornea directly while keeping the superficial surface untouched. This procedure, after undergoing certain transformations, was fully recognized in the 1990’s and has spread successfully all over the world since.

Lasik is used to treat myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism with complete preservation of the surface epithelium. The LASIK is the most popular technique worldwide to treat these vision problems.

The surgical procedure

Lasik surgery is executed in stages. First, the eye is anesthetized with eye drops. The surgeon then makes a small incision on the cornea's epithelium, using a new generation of microkeratomes that leave the joint in a superior, rather than nasal, position. The thin layer of cut cornea is raised in order to carry out the operation. This layer is called the flap.

Once the flap is raised, treatment of the eye's stroma (second layer of the cornea) can be carried out directly. The intervention uses a laser to sculpt the stroma and change the eye's curvature. When the laser intervention finished, the flap is then returned to its place, leaving the epithelium (first layer of the cornea) intact after the operation. Because of this, healing and visual recuperation is a lot quicker and less painful.

The Lasik treatment is used to correct myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia while preserving the epithelium of surface.

Advantages

The LASIK procedure is in great demand, even if it is a fairly new technique, mainly because of these 3 reasons:

1) Visual recuperation happens very quickly : we can have a functional vision from 30 minutes to a couple of hours following the intervention.

2) The surgery is exempt, or almost, of post-surgery pain.

3) Very little post-surgery care is needed : you will only have to put eye drops for a couple of months following the intervention.

However, it is important to be aware that complications may be associated with a Lasik intervention. The risk of complications is estimated to 2%.

Possible side effects

Dry cornea : The eye is often dryer for a couple of months following a refractive surgery. We therefore recommend the use of eye drops several times a day for a few months following the intervention.

Under-correction or over-correction : Sometimes, the eye can be slightly over or under-corrected following the operation. If it is enough to impair vision, a second intervention can be made 2 or 3 months following the first refractive surgery.

Light halos : The surgery may cause a halo to appear around lights at night for a certain length of time. The effect is caused by the dilated pupil overlapping the treated and untreated parts of the cornea. Since we vary the zone of treatment according to patients' pupil sizes, the effect is now less common than before. It may persist in patients whose pupil dilate very widely in the dark.

Pain : For the first 3-4 hours following the surgery, pain may be important. To prevent discomfort, analgesics will be handed to you following the surgery.

Light sensitivity : In some cases, light sensitivity may be increased. This usually vanishes after a couple of months following the surgery. To palliate this problem, we recommend the use of U.V. 400 sunglasses for the first year.

Visual focus : Before full recovery of the eye, delayed focus may happen. This means that, for a short period of time following the surgery, you may have to stare for a couple of seconds before obtaining perfect focus, especially when looking at close objects.

Infection of the cornea : Infection happens in less than 1% of refractive surgery. Antibiotics are given in order to prevent such cases. Inflammation may however occur and this can be treated by cortisone eye drops.

Raised epithelia : Some people have a more fragile cornea and in those cases, the Lasik cut can produce a lifting of the epithelia on the eye's surface. If this happens, complete healing takes longer and can involve some pain as well as slower recovery of sight. If epithelial cells migrate over the interface, a new intervention may be needed.

*Theses symptoms could, in very rare cases, persists permanently. However, following Dr. Doyon’s recommendations will greatly lessen the risks as he will guide you towards the best surgical choice in consideration of your eye’s personal characteristics.

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