What is laser vision correction ?

It is a surgical procedure that uses a cool beam of light to gently reshape the cornea - the surface of the eye - to improve vision. The laser removes microscopic bits of tissue to flatten the cornea (for nearsightedness), steepen the cornea (for farsightedness), and/or smooth out corneal irregularities (for astigmatism). The goal is to shape the cornea so it does a better job of focusing images onto the retina, for sharper vision. LASIK and PRK are two types of laser vision correction.

Is laser vision correction safe ?

The FDA recognizes LASIK and PRK as proven, safe, and effective. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure, but laser vision correction uses a cool beam of light that is computer controlled. The surgeon turns the laser on and is able to turn it off at any moment. With so many safeguards in place, there is little room for error.

Is it painful?

There is little if any discomfort during surgery because the cornea and eye are anesthetized by drops. Some patients experience a "scratchy feeling." After the anesthetic wears off, the amount of discomfort varies with each individual, but any irritation is minor and usually disappears within a few hours. You may be sensitive to light for a few days.

How many people have had it?

Let us give you numbers fron USA:

An estimated 960,000 American eyes received treatment in 1999; for 2000, 1.5 million laser vision correction procedures are expected. That's about 750,000 Americans this year.

In Istanbul Cerrahi Hospital, our doctor Dr. Sinan Goker has performed over 40.000 operations personally.

How is laser vision correctiondifferent from previous types of refractive eye surgery?

RK (radial keratotomy) is also a surgical procedure that can correct nearsightedness. With RK, the surgeon makes a series of cuts in the cornea; no laser is involved. You may know someone who has had RK, but it is rarely performed now and was never approved by the FDA.

Current FDA-approved laser vision correction methods are PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis).

What's the difference?

At LASIK VISION, most patients receive the LASIK (Laser in-situ keratomileusis) corrective procedure. Depending on the health and condition of your eye, PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy) may be a better option. The same excimer laser is used in both treatments.
In the LASIK procedure, before using the excimer laser, surgeons gain access to the bed of the cornea by creating a hair-thin corneal flap in the eye's outer membrane. A delicate, finely tuned automated instrument called a microkeratome makes this flap with exacting precision in a matter of seconds. After lasering the cornea, the flap is replaced and the membrane heals naturally.

In PRK, no corneal flap is created. The surface cells of the cornea are gently polished away allowing the laser to reshape the bed of the cornea. After the procedure, a protective lens is placed over the eye for approximately five days while the surface of the cornea heals. The lens is removed in a follow-up visit.

How long does the treatment take?

Laser treatment itself takes only about 15 to 40 seconds, based on the degree of correction necessary. The whole process per eye is 4 minutes. Recovery is minimal, and usually the patient is able to be driven home after about 30 minutes. Typically, you will notice improved sight in 3 to 5 days following treatment.

Does laser vision correction hurt?

You won't feel pain during LASIK or PRK, because your surgeon will place anesthetic drops in your eye first. Afterward, medication may be prescribed if necessary. Many patients report no more than mild discomfort for a day or so - often it's an itchy feeling, as if sand were in the eye.

If I just had an eye exam, must I wait for my next one before having the surgery?

No. You can ask your eyecare practitioner about laser vision correction at any time, and if you're eligible, there's no need to wait.

How do I know if I'm eligible?

Only your eyecare practitioner can make that judgement. But here are some guidelines:

- You must have healthy eyes - no glaucoma, infection, cataracts, severe dry eye, or any other condition that would affect post-operative healing.
- You must be an adult: at least 18 for some procedures and at least 21 for others, the above limit is 65 years old.
- Your vision must be stable for at least a year before surgery.
- If you're pregnant or nursing, your hormonal levels can affect the shape of your eye. You'll need to wait until hormones are back to normal levels.
- You cannot have a degenerative or autoimmune disease, since this would affect healing.
- Myopia up to - 14 diopters.
- Astigmatism up to 6 diopters.
- Hyperopia up to 7 diopters.
- Excimer Laser is not suitable as a treatment for keratoconus, uveitis and those with inadequate cornea thickness.

What happens before surgery?

This is an outpatient procedure, which means you'll spend around an hour at the surgeon's office and walk out afterwards. Someone else should drive you home, since you'll need to take it easy right after surgery. The laser treatment itself usually takes less than a minute, while the entire procedure takes around 15 minutes.
You'll lie down in a reclining chair, and the surgeon will place anesthetic drops in your eye. Your head will be positioned under the laser, and a retainer will be placed to hold your eyelids open. You'll be asked to focus on a blinking light.

If you're having PRK, the laser removes the outer layer of the cornea. In LASIK, the surgeon cuts a thin flap in the top of the cornea, folds it back out of the way, uses the laser to remove some corneal tissue, then puts the flap back in place.

In both procedures, the pieces of corneal tissue removed by the laser are microscopic - less than the thickness of a human hair.

What happens on the day of treatment?

Your eyecare practitioner will give you a thorough eye exam to make sure your eyes are healthy and you're a suitable laser vision correction candidate. Tests will look for glaucoma, cataracts, and other disqualifying conditions. Also, a machine called a corneal topographer will photograph and electronically map your eye. The surgeon will use this map to plan your surgery for the most precise results possible.

What happens afterward?

The surgeon will place drops or ointment in your eye. You may relax for a little while, then go home and rest. You'll probably notice clearer vision immediately, and it may improve even more as the weeks go by.

When will I be able to return to work?

Most people can return to work one to three days following surgery, but a rule of thumb is to wait until you feel up to it. Most return to normal activities as soon as the day after surgery.

Are there any side effects?

Some people experience dry eye, which usually is alleviated with drops and disappears over time. Another side effect may be starbursts or halos around lights, especially at night. Usually this effect lessens or disappears over time, too.

Is the treatment permanent?

According to the results of the U.S. clinical trials and results reported internationally, the treatment appears to be permanent. As people age, however, their eyes change and re-treatment may be necessary.

Are there any activity restrictions following surgery?

Following surgery, do not rub your eyes. Other than that, patients can do whatever they feel up to as long as they follow their doctors' instructions.

What if I move my head during surgery?

This is the number one question that patients ask when undergoing laser treatment. The surgeon is skilled in the technique of removing his foot from the pedal that controls the ultraviolet beam as soon as a patient moves his or her head. This allows him to realign the beam with the corneal "target" and proceed with the surgery.

Do I need a referral from my eye doctor?

No. Our own medical staff of eye care professionals can evaluate your current prescription and assess your individual vision correction needs. By offering the complete range of services within our own clinics, we are able to eliminate the industry-standard referral fees and pass the savings on to you, the patient.

What kind of laser is it?

We use the Wavelight Allegretto Excimer Laser instrument which is a 4th generation laser with advanced properties.

It functions with 0.95 mm. Diameter mobile laser beam. The speed is rather high (200 Hz.) as compared to other lasers. This high speed creates a more uniform action surface.

Moreover, it possesses a 250 Hz. eye tracker system. This property prevents deviations of hitting other areas even if the patient moves eyes doiring treatment.

Besides, the ablity to adjust the eyes rotation on the center axis (cyclotorsion) with Kappa angle ( angle between eyeball center axis and vision axis) enables the instrument to target only the treatment area.