LASIK

THE MECHANISM OF LASIK

In the procedure of LASIK suction in the range of 60-80 mm hg is created using a suction pump. The intention is to try to flatten the cornea which is normally curved. At the peak of the suction a blade or LASER is used to shape a flap. The laser achieves this by multiple bursts of picosecond laser energy applied ata constant predetermined depth.
The blade may be metal or diamond.
Microkertomes may be Rotational or Transitional

CUSTOMAIZATION OF THE LASIK FLAP

1. Ring Size The larger ring size leads to a larger flap. It also leads to thinner flaps
2. The stop Controls where the blade stops its motion thus determining the size of the hinge
3. The speed of the oscillating blade. The faster it moves the thinner the flap will be

The FDA APPROVED age for wavefront LASIK is 21 years. If the refraction is stable 18 year old can have LASIK. Some surgeons do LASIK in selected eyes of younger patients.