Conventional LASIK


LASIK, or Laser in-Situ Keratomileusis, has been a preferred choice for advanced vision correction surgery for a number of years. It can correct most prescriptions including myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism using the VISX STAR S4 Laser, which has the ability to remove tissue with up to 0.25 microns of accuracy.

The LASIK procedure involves using the cool beams of light from the VISX STAR S4 Excimer Laser to gently reshape the cornea to match your prescription. A protective flap is made in the cornea using the laser (Intralase) or a microkeratome cutting instrument. The appropriate treatment with the laser then begins to reshape the cornea.

The procedure takes about 10 minutes per eye. Patients can elect to have both eyes done during one appointment, or one eye at a time.

For myopia, the cornea must be made flatter, therefore tissue is removed from the center of the cornea. For hyperopia, the cornea must be made steeper, therefore tissue is removed from around the central cornea.

To treat astigmatism, the cornea must be made more spherical. By changing the pattern of the laser beam, more tissue is removed in one direction more than the other. Once the reshaping of the cornea is complete, the protective flap of cornea is folded back into place. It bonds securely, without the need for stitches.

LASIK procedures performed Dr. Coleman are done using the VISX STAR S4 Excimer Laser system. This laser feature the three-dimensional tracking system. It follows the tiny motions of your eye instantaneously and automatically, in all three dimensions, repositioning the laser to ensure accuracy. You can relax during your laser vision correction, knowing that you are obtaining a correction that is precisely centered on your eye.

LASIK surgery is performed on an outpatient basis by Dr. Coleman using a local anesthetic to numb the eye and a sedative to keep the patient relaxed and comfortable during the procedure. The procedure takes about 10 minutes per eye. Patients can elect to have both eyes done at once during one appointment, or one eye at a time. Some patients feel a little pressure during the procedure, but no pain. Because LASIK is performed under a protective layer of corneal tissue, there is less surface area to heal, less risk of scarring, less risk of corneal haze, less post-operative discomfort and little need for pain medications. The ideal candidate for LASIK is over 18 years of age and has healthy corneas. Patients must not have had significant increases in their prescription within the last year. Their prescription can be no more than 14 diopters of myopia or within 6 diopters of hyperopia or astigmatism.

Pregnant or nursing women are not candidates for LASIK.

Most under or over corrections following LASIK are easily treated with an free enhancement or “touch up”. It is done three to six months after the procedure.