The patient is diagnosed with severe levels of myopia or mild levels of hyperopia (farsightedness). To provide the custom treatment for the severity of the patient’s eye(s), the doctor will evaluate the medical history including glasses’ prescription, if any, and measure the corneal thickness, refraction and pupil dilation of the eye(s). This is required to determine the shape to cut which will restore perfect vision for the eye(s). Also, a coordinator will discuss with the patient about what to expect after the surgery.
Preparation for doctors
To begin the operation, the doctors have to prepare a device called a microkeratome which removes a thin disc of the cornea. More importantly, doctors have to calculate the shape to cut according to the patient’s eye(s). Other things include anaesthesia and the operation room itself.
Process #1
The eye is anesthetised and a ring is fixed to it in order to prevent if properly positioned and flat.
The microkeratome is used to incompletely cut a thin flap of cornea so as to expose the layer of tissue below. Then, the microkeratome is used again to carve the right shape in the cornea so as to change the shape of the eye lens. The flap is then replaced for it to heal. However, if the patient is hyperopic, the flap is replaced back without removing anything. This is because the cornea stiffens during recovery. This operation usually takes less than an hour.
Recovery and results
Just 24 hours after the operation, patients are almost healed and able to see clearly. Besides, patients feel very comfortable after the surgery although it may take months to regain vision stability. The results may sometimes be unpredictable, but ideally, the patient will have perfect vision after the surgery.
Possible Side-effects
Glare
Inability to wear contacts, sometimes permanently
Infection
Corneal scarring
Overcorrection or under-correction
Inflammation
Due to presence of more predictable and efficient types of operations, this type of surgery is not routinely performed anymore.
Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automated_lamellar_keratoplasty
http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/keratoplasty-eye-surgery-alk-myopia-hyperopia
http://www.the-lasik-directory.com/alk.html
http://www.eyecare-information-service.org.uk/lasereyesurgery/alk.html
Any pictures? Also, which source says that results are unpredictable? Must state the source clearly.
ReplyDeleteIn any case,, good to see that you are analyzing different types of Lasik techniques. A good comparison will give you an idea of what you want in your final recommendations for the Lasik department.
Ms Chua