As seen on The News on Six Monday Night: Lasik Notes from 'Insight into Eyesight'

Monday, November 13th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Lasik-or laser in-situ keratomileusis, is a non-reversible procedure in which the surgeon uses a knife called a microkeratome to precisely cut a flap in the outer layers of the cornea, removes a small amount of the targeted tissue beneath it with the laser, and then replaces the flap.

Step 1: A liquid anesthetic is dropped into the patientâ€™s eye, numbing it for surgery.

Step 2: A suction ring holds the eye steady while the blade is put in place. Pressure is applied to the eye for a clean cut.

Step 3: After the cornea is moistened, the blade glides across the surface, cutting through the outer layers and creating a flap.

Step 4: The flap is lifted and the underlying layers are excised by the laser.

Step 5: Guided by a computer program, the excimer laser reshapes the cornea. For nearsightedness, the laser trims the corneaâ€™s center, making it flatter. For farsightedness, a doughnut shaped ring of tissue is removed. The flap is then put back in place. An hour later the patient can go home, and normal vision returns about 12 hours later.

Patients with more severe nearsightedness or astigmatism tended to have poorer visual outcomes. Glares and Haloes tended to be worse in patients with larger pupil size. Some people who have this procedure will find it more difficult than usual to see in conditions such as very dim light, rain, snow, fog, or glare from bright lights at night.

5% of cases complications develop ranging from blurred vision to halos of light marring your sight.

5% of cases complications develop ranging from blurred vision to halos of light marring your sight.

LASIK Complications

Cornea flap falls off or is weakened.

Distorted vision from flap wrinkling or swelling.

Corrected vision may be worse than with glasses 20/40 for example, instead of 20/20
halos-optical effect that is noticed in dim light around lights, glare, poor night vision, dryness, cloudiness or haze.

Inflamation - 1 in 1,000

Average cost of LASIK costs $2,500 per eye, insurance rarely covers it.

Tips for deciding on a doctor

1. Donâ€™t bargain hunt, you get what you pay for.

2. Be picky about your doctor, make sure heâ€™s done at least 1,000 lasik procedures, and is a surgeon specializing in refractive surgery.

3. Check if the doctor is certified by the American Board of Eye Surgery by calling 1 -888 - 335 - 0077.

4. Ask what the doctorâ€™s complication rate is.

5. Donâ€™t rush into a decision.

Realistic Expectations

Many people over 40 will still need glasses from time to time after the procedure. There is a chance that your eyes will worsen. The closer your eyes are to 20/20 to begin with, the more likely your vision will be perfect after the surgery.

This year alone 1 million people will have LASIK according to CBS Health Watch, statistics show only half will end up with 20/20 vision, but an overwhelming number of LASIK patients will have improved eyesight.

Average age of LASIK patient is 39 years old.

Insurance, Vision Service Plans usually pay $600 per eye, other than that there is no insurance. Most places that offer the surgery have financing available.

Recovery Time

One to two days of rest.

Information on the company featured in the story aired on KOTV - The News on Six.

HYPERION LTK-Triad Eye Medical Clinic/
Galusha Eye Associates

June 30, 2000 approved by the FDA.

No touch procedure.

It doesnâ€™t involve an incision or creation of a corneal flap.

It gently heats tissue outside the center of the cornea, thereby causing it to steepen and reduce hyperopia, it reshapes the cornea without touching the eye.

Itâ€™s used to reduce farsightedness.

You can resume regular activity the next day.

Contact telephone numbers of clinics featured in the News on Six story.

TLC -- Dr. Anthony Economo 491-6009

Triad Eye Medical Clinic/Galusha Eye Associates -- Dr. Harley Galusha 252-2020

For more information, The News on Six has researched the following websites.

www.surgicaleyes.com

www.lasikinstitute.org

www.usaeyes.org