How laser eye surgery works

Posted in Laser Eye Surgery on November 29, 2009

Our eyes are very complex. Light enters the eye and falls on the retina at the back of the eye creating an image. The surface of the eye acts as a lens controlling the light which enters and facilitates a clear image.

Where eye surgery can be used

In some cases, the shape of the eyeball and imperfections on the surface can have a detrimental effect of the quality of the image produced on the retina. These imperfections can result in near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism, necessitating the need for glasses and contact lenses. The good news is that these conditions are very much curable by simple LASIK surgery.

What LASIK means

Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis, or LASIK, is a process by which a minor alteration to the transparent layer in front of your eyes, called the cornea, is made. Since the cornea operates conjunction with the pupil to project an image on the retina, LASIK works on the theory that an alteration of this layer will change the focal point of the rays falling on the retina. Perfecting this image will correct the visual defect and remove the need for glasses and contact lenses.