Laser Eye Surgery Consultation in Oshawa, ON

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism using an excimer laser.

The LASIK surgery uses the excimer laser to create a thin flap in the cornea that is lifted up so that the corneal tissue underneath can be reshaped. The flap is then placed back, and the eye is left to heal.

LASIK surgery offers advantages over other laser surgeries, like less postoperative discomfort, faster healing time, and less chance of corneal haze. Although LASIK is generally safe, possible complications include dry eyes, glare, halos, double vision, and under or overcorrection.

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery also involves an excimer laser to reshape the cornea, but it differs significantly from LASIK.

The cornea’s surface layer is removed using either an alcohol solution, the excimer laser, or a rotary brush, and the remaining cornea is then reshaped using the laser. After, a contact lens or an eyepatch is used to protect the cornea while it heals.

Laser eye surgery isn’t a good choice for everyone. Refractive lens exchange (RLE) is a vision correction surgery that replaces the eye’s natural lens with an artificial lens to correct refractive errors.

RLE surgery is nearly identical to cataract surgery, except that it’s performed without cataracts. The new, artificial lens should last the rest of your life, but you may experience clouding vision weeks, months, or years after cataract surgery. This is called posterior capsule opacification, which occurs when the lens capsule, which holds the lens in place, thickens. A simple laser surgery called posterior capsulotomy can correct this.

Although RLE is an attractive option, it’s generally not recommended for those who are good candidates for laser eye surgery.