Information on LASIK

When LASIK first debuted in the U.S. back in the late 1990s, using a laser on your eyes seemed dangerous and people at first avoided the procedure. Twenty or so years later, LASIK is so common that everyone knows a person who has had this amazing surgery. But if you haven’t had it, there can be some mystery surrounding the procedure. Here’s some info to enlighten you about LASIK at Millennium Park Eye Center.

What is LASIK?

LASIK is an acronym for laser in-situ keratomileusis (no wonder people prefer to simply say LASIK!), a medical laser eye surgery that corrects vision in patients who are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism. The first laser eye surgery was performed in 1996 and is commonplace today.

When vision is compromised, light enters the clear front part of the eye, the cornea, and is improperly directed at the retina (the layer at the back of the eye that is sensitive to light). This is usually because the cornea shape causes the light to be refracted at a slightly incorrect angle. In a LASIK procedure, the cornea is reshaped so that light is properly focused on the retina to provide improved vision.

The benefits of LASIK

LASIK is a powerful procedure, especially for a person who has had poor vision his or her entire life. It can take a person who has worn glasses as long as he or she can remember and instantly transform their vision to 20/20 or sometimes better. Here are some facts about LASIK:

• The results are immediate or within a day after surgery.
• There are no stitches, needles, or bandages in the procedure.
• LASIK works in roughly 96% of patients.
• LASIK eliminates the need for glasses or contact lenses.
• There is very minimal pain involved.

What happens during the procedure and how long does it take?

Patients are put under general anesthesia in the form of eye drops. Two lasers are used — the first creates a thin flap in the cornea, the second reshapes the underlying corneal tissue. The whole process takes all of 10 minutes!

Ready to say goodbye to your eyeglasses or contacts for good?Call the team at Millennium Park Eye Center, (312) 996-2020, and ask about LASIK.