If you have persistent vision problems affecting your daily life and want to say goodbye to your glasses and contacts, you could benefit from LASIK. Vista Eyes, led by Dr Rick Wolfe, is Victoria’s top choice for LASIK, otherwise referred to as laser vision correction or laser eye surgery. Let’s take a closer look at how this refractive surgery works to correct myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and age-related presbyopia.
Key Steps to LASIK Eye Surgery in Melbourne
LASIK eye surgery is the world’s most commonly performed surgery for laser vision correction, with over 60 million LASIK procedures performed globally. LASIK is also the most popular treatment at our laser eye clinic, with 95% of our patients choosing the procedure.
LASIK stands for Laser In Situ Keratomileusis, and this procedure reshapes the cornea to correct myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), and/or astigmatism.
The two key steps of LASIK are:
- A femtosecond laser is used to make a super-thin hinged flap in the corneal tissue. Vista Eyes uses the blade-free Wavelight FS200 femtosecond laser, which takes just 10 seconds per eye to create a flap.
- The Wavelight EX500 Excimer Laser applies a computer-generated customised pattern (by taking into account the eye’s corneal irregularities as well as the refractive error) for each patient, to reshape the cornea. This permanent reshaping is supported by a high-speed eye-tracker ensuring precise placement. The corneal tissue flap is then replaced and bonded smoothly to the eye for a fast recovery without stitches.
Benefits of LASIK Eye Surgery
Melbourne laser eye clinics use LASIK to correct vision problems such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, allowing patients to see clearly without glasses or contacts.
LASIK surgery is performed on both eyes on the same day, and patients may resume normal activities, such as driving, the day after surgery. With its fast recovery time, minimal discomfort and substantial improvements in vision following the procedure, it’s no wonder LASIK is the most popular type of laser eye surgery.
Vista Eyes is the only clinic in Melbourne to offer Custom LASIK. Custom LASIK adds a greater degree of precision and personalisation to standard (or traditional) LASIK, by using advanced technology to evaluate the unique characteristics of your eye. Custom LASIK takes into account your unique characteristics (corneal irregularities, also called aberrations) as well as your glasses’ or contact lens’ prescription for a superior treatment. Non-customised or standard/traditional LASIK only treats your prescription.
Types of LASIK Eye Surgery
It’s important to distinguish between the different types of LASIK by asking if
- The procedure is Bladeless (also known as Femto LASIK) or Manual with a Blade (an older method also known as Microkeratome or Keratome LASIK)
- The procedure is Customised or Non-Customised. You can also ask if the procedure will be Custom LASIK or Standard / Traditional
Customised LASIK
At Vista Eyes, during your initial consultation we perform a comprehensive pre-operative eye exam, using the latest technology available, at which point we determine crucial details about both your unique refraction and corneal imperfections (for Custom LASIK). These details are carefully mathematically recorded and the data obtained is used to generate your customised laser treatment plan.
This treatment plan is the essential blueprint that directs the Excimer Laser across your cornea and determines the duration of treatment. It is essential that the data obtained during your pre-op exam is accurate in order to provide the best results possible.
Non-Customised LASIK
By contrast, non-customised treatment treats just your refractive error or prescription (essentially what your glasses and contacts correct) – your corneal imperfections or irregularities are not taken into account with non-customised treatment. This type of treatment is called Standard or Traditional LASIK.
Vista Eyes is currently the only clinic in Melbourne to offer Custom LASIK to its patients.
Explore LASIK Eye Surgery Options
Now that you have an overview of how LASIK eye surgery works, including which lasers are used at Vista Eyes and how this technology successfully reshapes the cornea, you may want to speak to your local laser eye clinic in Melbourne to discuss the potential benefits for you.
At Vista Eyes, Dr Rick Wolfe and his team complete comprehensive testing to examine whether LASIK in Melbourne is right for you. Call 03 8532 5000 to discuss LASIK eye surgery today.
*This information is general in nature. All medical and surgical procedures have potential benefits and risks. Consult your ophthalmologist for specific medical advice.