Carolina Cornea and Laser Center

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (ker-a-toe-my-loosis) and is a two-step procedure that reshapes your cornea to allow light to properly focus on the retina.  The first step in the procedure is the making of the flap and the second step is laser ablation to reshape the cornea.  At Carolina Cornea and Laser Center, we use the Intralase 60kHz for making the flap and VISX Star 4 Custom Wavefront with Iris Registration for the reshaping of cornea to correct the patient’s vision.  A description of the LASIK procedure follows. 

LASIK eye surgery generally requires twenty (20) minutes of operating room time, but the actual duration may vary according to the type and amount of correction needed.  A mild sedative, Ativan, is usually taken to help you relax just prior to the procedure.  During LASIK eye surgery, you will be lying on the laser bed or reclining chair and your eyelids will be held open with a device called a lid speculum.  You will be asked to focus on a special fixation light.  You will be given eye drops to numb your eyes in a very similar way to the numbing of the eyes with cataract surgery.

 

Dr. Parker uses the Intralase 60kHz (femtosecond laser) to create a flap of tissue in the cornea.  This flap is then lifted like the cover of a book to expose the tissue just below the cornea's surface.  There is a hinge in the superior cornea that allows accurate repositioning after the laser procedure is completed.

 

The excimer laser (VISX Star 4 with custom wavefront and iris registration) is used to reshape the cornea by removing an ultra-thin amount of the exposed tissue of the cornea.  A computer inside the excimer laser is used to control how much corneal tissue is removed.  The flap is put back into position and antibiotic drops are applied. 

 

You must wear protective eye shields for the first night to prevent rubbing your eyes, and you will be required to use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops on a regular basis for a few weeks after LASIK eye surgery.  You may need to use lubrication eye drops for several weeks after your LASIK eye surgery.

 

LASIK eye surgery is performed on an outpatient basis at Carolina Cornea and Laser Center. You will be able to go home approximately 30 minutes after your LASIK eye surgery, but you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery.  The typical patient is able to go back to work the next day and is able to drive him or herself to the office for follow-up.  Follow-up visits are one day, one week, one month, and 6 months.