FemtoLASIK Diopter Reduction

LASIK has been used since 1993 as the most advanced and widely used method of correcting ametropia. The combination of the microsurgical incision technique and tissue evaporation by the excimer laser achieves particularly fast and precise results:

• The laser treatment only takes a few minutes.
• Complete treatment tailored to the individuality of each eye.
• FemtoLASIK offers high precision and safety.
• Wide range for correcting ametropia.

To qualify for FemtoLASIK surgery, you must have an eligible refractive error such as myopia, hypermetropia or astigmatism. Following specialist examination and investigations, your doctor will recommend the best surgical option for you. In general, FemtoLASIK is suitable for patients with hypermetropia, but it can also correct myopia or astigmatism.

In general, LASIK can correct:

• -11 diopters for myopia,
• + 5 diopters for hypermetropia,
• 5 diopters for astigmatism.

In order to be recommended FemtoLASIK surgery, you should consider the following:

1. You’re over 18 years old and your diopters are stable – Even if you’re over 18, your eyesight may be constantly changing. Having stable diopters is vital if you want FemtoLASIK surgery to be as effective as possible. We recommend having stable diopters for one to two years before having FemtoLASIK surgery.
2. You are in good general health – Your general health may have an impact on whether you can have FemtoLASIK surgery. If you have diabetes or certain autoimmune diseases, you may not be recommended for surgery. If you have disorders such as cataract or glaucoma, having FemtoLASIK surgery is not recommended.
3. Dry Eye Syndrome – Recovering from LASIK can be difficult if you have dry eye syndrome or have a history of dry eye. However, if you are prone to dry eyes, you may still opt for LASIK. Part of pre-LASIK screening includes dry eye screening. If you are prone to dry eyes, your doctor may recommend ways to treat your dry eye so you can have FemtoLASIK surgery once your symptoms are kept under better control. This can be as simple as using artificial tears and taking nutritional supplements.
4. Corneal thickness – A very important factor in being able to benefit from FemtoLASIK is corneal thickness. If the cornea is not thick enough, the surgeon cannot safely perform a corneal flap.

Because of these factors, it is always best to have an examination to determine whether or not you can undergo LASIK surgery. All aspects of the procedure will be thoroughly explained. You will be given honest and detailed information for any questions you may have. You can rest assured that you will be given a professional and realistic opinion on the results you can expect.

LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) has become one of the most popular and chosen ophthalmic procedures in the world.

The key difference from other procedures is that instead of removing the surface layer of the eye, an ultra-thin hinged flap is created to allow the laser treatment to take place, after which the flap is simply seated (closed) in place, bringing the flap back to its original position. Recovery time is therefore very short – the vast majority of LASIK patients are ready to return to work within 24-72 hours of the procedure.

Step 1- The high-precision femtosecond laser produces a thin flap of the cornea.

Step 2- By gently lifting the flap, the inner corneal tissue is exposed for correction.

Step 3- The corneal tissue is now shaped or corrected with the excimer laser.

Step 4- The flap is returned to its original position, is immediately reabsorbed after the surgery and in a few days connects again stably with the lower tissue.

This video shows how a Lasik surgery is performed:

Immediately after the LASIK procedure, your eye may feel slight discomfort (a slight burning, itching or feeling that there is something in it), in some cases mild pain, and your doctor may recommend that you take a pain reliever. Both eyes may be tearing, and vision may be slightly blurred.

Avoid rubbing the eye! This could dislocate the flap, requiring further treatment. In addition, you may feel sensitivity to light, see glare, starbursts or halos around lights, or the whites of your eyes may appear red or bloody. These symptoms should improve considerably in the first few days after surgery.

You should have your first ophthalmological check-up within the first 24 hours after surgery and at regular intervals for at least the first six months. At your first postoperative visit, your doctor will remove your eye dressing, test your vision and examine your eye. Your doctor may administer one or more types of take-home eye drops to prevent infection and/or inflammation. You may also be advised to use artificial tears to lubricate your eye. Do not resume wearing contact lenses in your operated eye, even if your vision is blurred.

In the first few months after surgery, your vision may fluctuate. It may take three to six months for your vision to stabilize after surgery.

Glare, nimbus, difficulty driving at night and other visual symptoms may also persist during this stabilization period. If further correction or improvement is needed, you should wait until your eye measurements are consistent at two consecutive checkups at least 3 months apart before reoperation.

Call your ophthalmologist immediately if you experience any new, unusual or worsening symptoms at any time after surgery. Such symptoms could signal a problem that, if not treated early enough, can lead to severe disorders.

A few post-operative recommendations are:

• The eyes are cleaned with IRIDIUM sterile wet wipes for two weeks.
• Wash hair as you would at the hairdresser’s, making sure to keep shampoo out of your eyes, for at least two weeks.
• Before administering the eye drops, wash and disinfect hands.
• Sunglasses with UV protection are recommended.
• Avoid sports activities, physical effort (two weeks), eye contact with water or other substances other than those prescribed, areas with heavy dust (one month), rubbing the eyes (one month), make-up or other cosmetics around the eyes (one month), swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, thermal baths (one month).
• Don’t rub your eye at all, just dab gently under the eye.
• You can return to work and your normal daily routine the day after the surgery.

References: Mayo Clinic, WedMD.