Atlanta LASIK Specialist Farooq Ashraf, MD, FACS

Over the past several years the LASIK procedure has taken the vision care profession by storm. Hundreds of thousands of patients have elected to undergo this procedure. LASIK offers several advantages over glasses or contacts because it corrects the problem as opposed to treating the symptoms. LASIK, or Laser in situ Keratomileusis (use of a laser to reshape the cornea from within), uses the technologically advanced Excimer Laser. The miracle of the technology is that it literally reshapes the cornea by removing mere microns of tissue, far less than the thickness of a strand of your hair.

Recently, new technological advances have made LASIK safer and more precise than ever before. This means less post-operative discomfort and much faster recovery times. With most people, vision improvement is noticed immediately. Dr. Ashraf at the Atlanta Vision Institute will be glad to answer any and all questions you may have during your consultation.

STEP 1 - DIAGNOSTICS

In general you must be in good overall health. You must also have a healthy cornea with no significant increase in your prescription in the past year. Several painless comprehensive tests will be performed in order to completely understand the entire condition of your eyes.

STEP 2 - THE PROTECTIVE FLAP

LASIK's main advantage is in reshaping the corneal tissue (stroma) from the inside. This preserves the cornea's sensitive top layer of cells. Formerly PRK reshaped the cornea by removing the actual surface tissue of the cornea.

(1) Dr. Ashraf at the Atlanta Vision Institute first will completely numb your eye using an "eye drop" anesthesia.

(2) Next an eyelid holder will be placed over your eye to help prevent you from blinking.

(3) Lastly, an instrument called a microkeratome creates the protective corneal flap. While you may feel a little pressure you will feel no discomfort.

STEP 3 - THE LASER

An Excimer Laser is an extremely precise laser that uses ultraviolet light to remove minute amounts of corneal tissue. Each pulse of the laser removes mere microns of tissue, far less than the thickness of a strand of your hair.

At the Atlanta Vision Institute, this cool temperature light beam is extremely safe because each pulse produces virtually no damage to the surrounding tissue.

A very rapid and painless sequence of laser pulses complete the desired correction in a matter of only seconds.

STEP 4 - COMPLETION

Once the laser treatment is complete the protective corneal flap is carefully returned to its original position. The flap rebonds naturally with its own tissue in minutes without the need for stitches. Dr. Ashraf at the Atlanta Vision Institute may apply a bandage to the eye for a few minutes prior to final examination.

The entire procedure takes about 10 minutes per eye. Intermittent checks are made by the Ophthalmic staff prior to your leaving the Atlanta Vision Institute.

Since the outermost layer of the cornea isn't reshaped during LASIK as it is in PRK, there's very little surface area to heal. This means greater comfort.

Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops may be prescribed after LASIK surgery.