Laser eye surgery involves different procedures

Posted in Laser Eye Surgery on October 20, 2008

Laser eye surgery has become very popular as it can overcome vision problems. The process of laser eye surgery includes the use of a laser to reshape the surface of the cornea to improve hypermetropia and myopia.

To remove tiny amounts of corneal tissue an excimer controlled by a computer is used during laser eye surgery. The main aim of laser eye surgery is to relieve the patient from wearing glasses or contacts and restore normal vision.

The process of Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) involves the removal of the outer layer of the cornea and reshaping the underneath tissue with an excimer laser. Microkeratome is a new procedure in which the laser is used to reshape the underlying tissue after cutting a flap in the corneal tissue. The flap is put back to its place at the end. This type of laser eye surgery is called LASIK and is more commonly used than PRK.

Each time the laser beam is pulsed onto the eye it vaporises a small quantity of the cornea. However, it does not burn the corneal tissue. A computer is used to carefully control the number of pulses and diameter to enhance accuracy. Reshaping the corneal tissue takes less than a minute.

There are different types of treatment for various eye conditions. To reduce short sightedness and improve vision the central peak of the cornea has to be flattened. To improve long sightedness the central peak of the cornea has to be made steeper.