Laser Surgeries (surface laser=PRK and Lasik)
The
described surgical techniques are recognized and approved by
different scientifical societies; the general content of this
website is approved and recommended by the BSCRS (Belgian
Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery).
The content and the general description of different surgical
techniques, is the result of a common work from different eye
specialists, and can also be found in different brochures,
edited by the BSCRS.
Both techniques (Lasik and PRK) are the major techniques in refractive
surgery. Refractive surgery means the "surgery of the refractive
error", myopia, hyperopia
and/or astigmatism. These two
techniques do require a technically very advanced instrument:
the excimer laser. The excimer laser ablates (ablation means tissue
removal) in the central part of the cornea, for a myope, in the
periphery for an hyperope. The ablation zones can be "mixed"
for astigmatic correction.
In both technique (Lasik and PRK), the patient lies on a bed,
under the laser, and must fixate a flashing light during the treatment.
It is very important to stay quiet, as it facilitates the surgeon's
work. Here is a small description of the techniques:
- PRK: the ablation
happens on the surface of the cornea; the surgeon has to remove
the epithelium; this takes one minute, and then the laser can
treat on this "new surface". The treatment is short,
less than one minute, and is not painful. At the end, the eye
will be protected by a bandage contact lens, or by a patch.
- Lasik: here
the ablation does not happen on the surface of the cornea, but
in the cornea itself. The first step is to realize a flap, with
a special instrument, called microkeratome, and to "open"
this flap, exactly like when opening the trunk of a car. The second
step is to ablate with the laser on the corneal bed. After the
ablation, the corneal flap is repositioned and the interface is
rinsed. The flap adheres by itself, so a few minutes are needed
to be sure that the flap is well in place. The patient is checked
30 minutes after the surgery to be sure that the flap adheres
nicely on the eye before he leaves the center. A protective eye-shield
is worn day and night for 3 days, and at night for one week. The
treatment is not painful.
Indications for laser
corrective surgery or refractive surgery
Risks of corneal refractive surgery
Reimbursment
Customized ablations
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