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techniques with better results in terms of vision improvement as well as fewer incidents of infection and reduced recovery time.

Lasik was developed as a synthesis of keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy. Lasik quickly became accepted for its greater accuracy, lessened complications when compared to either of the prior procedure types and shortened recovery time for patients.

Laser is performed with a mild sedative and patients remain awake and aware, though relaxed from the sedative. Additionally, anesthetic eye drops help to decrease movement and responsiveness of eye muscles so that the procedure can be more safely carried out.

First, a very fine blade is used to make a series of tiny flaps in the surface of the cornea. These flaps are then folded back to reveal the stroma, which is the middle section of the cornea. The lifting and folding back of these flaps is the part of this procedure that tends to be somewhat uncomfortable for the patient.

Secondly, an excimer laser is used to reshape the corneal stroma. Essentially, the extra ‘bumps’ of the cornea are vaporized. The process is very gentle because the laser is able to release the molecular bonds that hold the cells of the corneal surface together, thus leaving the adjacent stroma undamaged.

When the flap is lifted, the patient’s vision will become blurry and filled with white light that surrounds the orange laser light. This can be somewhat disorienting to the patient, but knowledge of the procedure alleviates much of the “feeling of encountering the unknown”. Since the procedure is very short in duration, this period passes relatively quickly.

Once the procedure is complete, the flaps are held in place with a natural adhesive until healing takes place. Patients are advised to avoid sunlight and other known irritants over the few days following the procedure. Recovery is very rapid and most patients feel great after only a day or two.