LASIK & Refractive Surgeries

Dr. Prakash Nayak has over 5000 successful laser refractive procedures to his credit.

He has been performing laser vision correction since 2003 and has worked with all the generations of laser machines. He's currently using some of the most advanced technologies in the world to correct spectacle power.

What is LASIK?

LASIK (Laser Assisted In situ Keratomileusis) is the most popular way to reduce or eliminate the spectacle number. The laser beam, completely controlled by a machine, shaves off a few layers of corneal tissue in a specific way, thus correcting the spectacle power. The speed of the laser depends upon how fast the laser fires per second. Generally faster the firing speed, faster and safer is the procedure.

This procedure can be used to correct plus numbers (reading), minus numbers (long-distance problems), and also cylindrical powers. An initial examination procedure is; however, mandatory to find out whether your eye is suitable for the laser procedure.

Performed since the early 1970s, refractive surgery procedures improve vision for people with near-sightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. Laser assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is an excellent technique for reshaping the surface of the cornea to correct these common vision problems.

What is Laser Light?

Instead of using heat to alter tissues like other lasers, an excimer laser beam breaks the bonds that link tissues together with only minimal effect on surrounding tissues. These unique properties allow the excimer laser to be used in the LASIK procedure to reshape corneal tissue. After LASIK, light rays focus more precisely on the retina, thus reducing the refractive error.

The Excimer Laser is very accurate and precise in its action.

Types of LASIK

When to Undergo LASIK ?

LASIK is typically done when the refractive error (spectacle number is stable ) ie after age of 18-20 years

Best results are obtained till the age of about 40 years – after which the near number (presbyopia ) sets in – and near glasses are needed

What spectacle number is corrected by LASIK?

Myopia upto -10.0 D (depending upon corneal thickness)

Hypermetropia upto +6.0

Astigmatism (cylinder power upto + / – 6.0 D

The LASIK Procedure

The procedure is performed under topical anaesthesia (using eye drops)
A microkeratome accurately fashions a thin corneal flap, which is then reflected backwards
Laser energy is then used to shave off a few layers of the cornea, thus altering its shape
The corneal flap is then put back in place
Typically, both eyes are done within about 15 minutes
Post procedure, the eyes are protected with clear white goggles. No eye patch or bandage is needed.
Most patients recover quite well to resume most of their normal activities within 2 days of the procedure.

Wavefront Technology

In the past, LASIK was performed based on the spectacle number only. This had some drawbacks. Custom LASIK on the other hand uses a wave-front guided map to correct the error.

A bundle of rays is directed into the patient’s eye, which is then reflected back. The deviation obtained in this represents the other minor aberrations in the patient’s visual pathway. This deviation is then calculated as a wave-front map, which is as unique as fingerprint. This is used to correct the refractive errors, which gives better results.

Eye Tracker

During laser vision correction, the laser pulses must be accurately placed on the cornea. The human eye however has natural constant eye movements called saccadic movements.—which is about 100 times per second. This is taken care of by eye trackers, which take pictures of the eye about 300 times per second, and gives a corresponding feedback to the laser beam , thus neutralising the effect of the eye movements. Wavefront LASIK also considerably reduces night glare and halos, often seen with conventional LASIK, thus improving night visual quality. The PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy)

Life after LASIK

After LASIK, the majority of people are able to pass a driver’s license test without glasses or contacts. Many patients report an immediate improvement within the first day. For others, vision may be blurry during the healing period. Since an individual’s situation, healing powers and tissues are unique, not everyone should expect to achieve full visual correction. People with high to severe levels of myopia or astigmatism may require another procedure to achieve the desired results. People with extremely strong glasses for example, may end up with significant correction, but still need mild to moderate strength lenses part of the time for some activities. All in all LASIK will definitely decrease your dependence on glasses.

How to choose your Doctor for LASIK

Please remember that 90% of the success of a LASIK procedure is attributable to the surgeon, and only 10% to the laser. There are various factors for a successful procedure and a happy / satisfied LASIK patient.

The doctor should do a thorough eye checkup and should explain the procedure in detail. He should also be patient and answer all your questions / doubts and not just rush you through and book the earliest date available.. In borderline cases, the doctor should also be able to explain other options which are likely to give better results.

BE wary of clinics / doctors that blatantly give schemes / offers / discounts on the procedures openly. They are more likely to compromise in the procedure to achieve their monthly numbers and targets, thus putting your precious eyes at risk.

Dr Prakash Nayak has been exclusively trained in LASIK & Refractive Surgery at Bombay City Eye Institute & Research Centre and also at other eminent centres in India. He has also done an exclusive fellowship training program at a prestigious German University, which is the birthplace of the Excimer Laser technology.

In the last decade, Dr Nayak has added a few thousand successful refractive procedures to his credit, including patients from more than 25 countries around the world. With his experience, unfailing accuracy & the cutting edge technology, he continues to satisfy every one of his ever growing list of patients.