Laser Eye Surgery Consultation in New Brunswick

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery reshapes the cornea to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism using an excimer laser.

A thin flap is made in the cornea and then lifted using either a small blade or the excimer laser. The exposed tissue underneath is reshaped using the laser, and the flap is placed back over. The eye is left to heal on its own.

LASIK surgery offers advantages over other laser surgeries, like less postoperative discomfort, quicker healing time, and less chance of corneal haze. You’ll likely notice an improvement in your vision within a few days of the procedure.

Although LASIK is generally safe, possible complications include dry eyes, glare, halos, double vision, and under or overcorrection. Additionally, the flap made during the procedure may become damaged or develop complications if you experience an eye injury.

Like LASIK, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea, but the procedure differs significantly.

The cornea’s surface layer is removed using either an alcohol solution, the excimer laser, or a rotary brush, and the remaining cornea is reshaped using the laser. The eye is then covered by a contact-like bandage that is removed about a week later.

You may notice your vision worsen slightly until your eyes are completely healed, which can take around a month. You’ll then see your vision improving every day during this time.

PRK is generally considered safer and more effective long-term than LASIK because it doesn’t create a flap in the cornea.

Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) is a laser eye surgery that uses an excimer laser to treat superficial corneal diseases, irregularities, and opacities. This procedure removes precise layers of the cornea to smooth the corneal surface. This process can improve vision; however, it can be used just to relieve symptoms while leaving vision unaffected. Sometimes, PTK is combined with PRK to correct refractive errors.

PTK does have some complications, including:

• The recurrence of the primary disease pathology
• Infection
• The reactivation of the herpes simplex virus
• Delayed healing
• Corneal opacity and scarring