Sadeer B Hannush MD
Cornea and Refractive Surgery
400 Middletown Blvd. Suite 110
Langhorne, Philadelphia 19047
Phone: (215) 752-8564
What is LASIK?
LASIK is the acronym for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, a procedure in which the corneal surface of the eye is precisely reshaped by an excimer laser so that light that passes through the cornea is focused directly on the retina. Most cases of nearsightedness and farsightedness stem from slight imperfections in the shape of the eyeball, which, when too short or too long from back to front, can cause light that passes through the cornea to be unfocused upon reaching the retina, which is the visual processing center of the eye. Astigmatism, the other common cause of poor eyesight, is caused by irregularities in the shape of the cornea. LASIK can correct vision impairment due to any of these causes by adjusting the shape of the cornea so that it focuses light more precisely on the retina.
What is the procedure for LASIK?
What are the benefits of LASIK corrective eye surgery?
Is LASIK right for me?
What is the procedure for LASIK?
At the beginning of the LASIK procedure, Dr. Hannush makes an incision in the corneal surface with a fine blade called a microkeratome. The resulting flap is then folded back so that Dr. Hannush can make adjustments to the shape of the cornea with the excimer laser through a process called ablation. When the laser ablation is complete, the flap is returned to its original location and allowed to heal on its own. The procedure is extremely quick, lasting about five minutes per eye. It is also extremely effective in restoring good vision, with patients noticing dramatic results within days after the surgery.
What are the benefits of LASIK corrective eye surgery?
LASIK is a safe, effective, and pain-free procedure that leads to dramatic improvements in vision immediately. The recovery period for LASIK is extremely short and involves very few side effects. Patients who have undergone the surgery usually return to their daily activities without any disability the following day. The procedure is also very quick; it takes about five minutes to operate on each eye. The entire procedure is performed with a local anesthetic while the patient is conscious, eliminating the risks involved with general anesthesia. The most important benefit of LASIK is that it works. The vast majority of people who choose LASIK report that they have better vision than they have ever had after surgery. Additionally, a large percentage of patients end up with vision better than 20/20, the gold standard of “perfect” vision.
Is LASIK right for me?
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved with LASIK. Because the procedure is largely noninvasive, the most common side effects are minor. These can include dry eyes, light sensitivity, and blurred vision. Occasionally, patients can perceive halos around bright lights at night. Most of these complications are minor, but there are some that are not. Complications can develop with the corneal flap and can necessitate more procedures to correct the problem.
Contact Dr. Hannush
If you have any questions or concerns about LASIK corrective eye surgery or any other procedure that Dr. Hannush offers, please do not hesitate to contact our office.