The cornea is the part of the eye that helps focus light to create an image on the retina. The bending and focusing of light is also known as refraction. There are three basic types of refraction errors: nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. Persons with nearsightedness have more difficulty seeing distant objects as clearly as near objects. Persons with farsightedness have more difficulty seeing near objects as clearly as distant objects. Astigmatism is a distortion of the image on the retina caused by irregularities in the cornea or lens of the eye. Combinations of nearsightedness and astigmatism, as well as farsightedness and astigmatism, are common.
LASIK surgery, short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is the most commonly performed surgery to correct these refractive errors.
In LASIK eye surgery, an instrument called a microkeratome is used to create a thin, circular flap in the cornea. The flap is then folded back and a cool ultraviolet light beam precisely removes very tiny bits of tissue from the cornea to reshape it. When the cornea is reshaped in the correct way, it works better to focus light into the eye and onto the retina. The flap is then laid back in place over the cornea.
All VisionFirst doctors work closely with the leading surgeons in the area to ensure you are in the best care possible.
Your VisionFirst doctors will assist you with all your pre- and post-operative care at any of our 15 convenient locations.