Veni Vidi - octors of Ophthalmology

LASIK is today the worldwide most often used method to correct different kinds of ametropia. With his combination of operative cutting and laser techniques can be corrected myopia until ca. -10 dioptres, hyperopia until about +4 dioptres and astigmatism until about 3 dioptres. During the correction a part of the cornea inside is extracted – the surface of cornea remains intact.

Since the beginning of the 90’s LASIK has been successfully used for the treatment of different kinds of ametropia. The laser treatment is free from pain and takes only a few minutes. Mostly both eyes are treated on the same day. A short while after the treatment the patient blindfold can go home again.

The exact cutting technique - combined with the laser beam accuracy and up-to-the minute mathematically very exactly predictable ablation profiles – allows even with higher kinds of ametropia a good predictability of the postoperative result.

A further advantage of the LASIK method is that after the treatment the wound is very small and possibly appearing aches are only minimal. An improvement of the sight mostly occurs within the first days after the treatment. In this way the most activities of everyday life can be unchangedly continued.

A definite stabilization of cornea is mostly reached after four to six weeks. The achieved correction normally is expected to last for many years.

Akind of ametropia is to be treated by LASIK only if it is steady and if the patient is of age. Only in individual cases the method is used with children or young persons.

The myopia develops its maximum at the age of about mid-twenty. The patient with lower ametropia should wait until the corresponding age is reached. Lower ametropia before the operation improves the success of the result. With patients of until – 8 dioptres the operation normally proceeds uncomplicatedly and successfully. If the myopia is stronger, there is after the correction the theoretic danger of a lower worsening of sight at nightfall and at night.

For patients with hyperopia and astigmatism an operation until 4 dioptres is safely possible.

LASIK should not be used, if there are diseases of cornea, retina, cataract or glaucoma. Even general diseases such as rheumatism or the taking of special drugs can be an obstacle for a possible operation. The treatment should not be carried out during pregnancy and breastfeeding period. For patients suffering from an allergy the operation should be carried out in their healthy time.

A decision whether the method is useful in each individual case can be made only after a detailed examination and a personal consultation with the oculist.

If ametropia can not be safely treated by means of LASIK, even other safe opportunities for correction are available (see below). The laser treatment of cornea is only one of many possible treatment options in the refractive surgery.