Medical Ophthalmology » Microkeratome http://www.soe2007.org Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:45:30 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 How Laser Eye Surgery Works – Lasik and Photorefractive Eye Surgery http://www.soe2007.org/how-laser-eye-surgery-works-%e2%80%93-lasik-and-photorefractive-eye-surgery http://www.soe2007.org/how-laser-eye-surgery-works-%e2%80%93-lasik-and-photorefractive-eye-surgery#comments Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:48:34 +0000 admin http://www.soe2007.org/how-laser-eye-surgery-works-%e2%80%93-lasik-and-photorefractive-eye-surgery People with eye-related problems are becoming more and more interested in laser eye surgery and its benefits because this is known to be the most exciting ophthalmologic procedure.

To be more precise, this is a refractive eye surgery that can correct all types of refractive errors such as: astigmatism (distorted vision), myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness).

Even if the medicine offers various types of surgical techniques for correcting refractive errors, the laser eye surgery was labelled by the American Academy of Ophthalmology the most technically advanced and precise one.

The excimer laser was the first laser ever approved for eye surgery and it’s used to correct myopia. Now, this laser is used in two different procedures: Laser in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) and Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK).

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)

The surgeon maps and measures the patient’s eye before the procedure in order to analyse the problem. Then, he uses a few local anesthetic eye drops and reshapes the cornea eliminating tiny amounts of tissue from the outer surface.

Next, the doctor uses an ultra violet beam of light and cuts notches the size of human hair. Each pulse of light can remove a 39 millionth of an inch of cornel tissue in only 12 billionths of a second.

According to same studies, only 5% of the patients still use permanent glasses after the surgery while 15% need visual aids only when driving.

Laser in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)

The LASIK procedure is more complicated than PRK but it’s a solution for solving all types of myopia.

The surgeon uses the Microkeratome to cut a corneal tissue flap in order to replace it. Everything depends on the doctor because with LASIK he has to make a very precise incision.

The patient only feels a little discomfort and sometimes an irritation but those won’t last too long. In most cases, the patients returned to their normal life in only two or three days.

With LASIK there can be only one side effect and that is occasional glare at night.

Anyway, everyone should know that even if the results are said to be permanent, the age can influence the final results and in some cases the doctor may even suggested re-surgery.




By: Ricky Lim

]]> http://www.soe2007.org/how-laser-eye-surgery-works-%e2%80%93-lasik-and-photorefractive-eye-surgery/feed 0 The History LASIK Surgery http://www.soe2007.org/the-history-lasik-surgery http://www.soe2007.org/the-history-lasik-surgery#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:41:10 +0000 admin http://www.soe2007.org/the-history-lasik-surgery Almost everyone today has heard about Lasik eye surgery, but it wasn’t long ago that it was viewed as a brand new and revolutionary innovation. Lasik is actually an acronym that stands for laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis. It was development thanks to several advances in ophthalmologic technology, the first of which was the microkeratome blade invented in by Spanish ophthalmologist Jose Barraquer in the 1950s.

The microkeratome is an instrument containing an ultra-fine oscillating blade that is used to cut a thin flap in the eye’s cornea. In the decades that followed the invention of the microkeratome advances in laser technology would develop that enabled the eventual creation of the Lasik procedure.

The Excimer Laser

The first successful, working laser was tested in 1960. Researchers afterwards began developing more precise and powerful lasers. In the 1970s the Excimer laser was invented and it became one of the most crucial innovations in the field of ophthalmology.

The thing that made the Excimer laser unique was that, unlike previous lasers, it did not burn through tissue in order to make incisions. Rather it delivered enough energy to the targeted area that it actually caused the molecular bonds holding the tissue together to disintegrate into the air. Thus it was able to make ultra-precise cuts without burning tissue and risking possible thermal damage to surrounding areas. This meant that eye surgeries could now be conducted in a safer and more precise manner.

In the 1980s, Dr. Ioannis Pallikaris pioneered the concept of using the microkeratome invented by Barraquer in the 50s in conjunction with the Excimer laser. The microkeratome was used to cut the initial corneal flap. Once the cornea was accessed adn analyzed through corneal topography, the Excimer laser was used to do the actual re-shaping. Dr. Pallikaris himself conducted the first Lasik procedure in 1989.

LASIK Surgery Today

Since 1989 laser technology has only become more complex and precise. New procedures have made even the long-used microkeratome blade obsolete. In procedures such as epi-Lasik and IntraLase, a laser blade is used instead of the metal one to cut the flap in the cornea. This results in more accurate incisions that cause less discomfort and pain.




By: Ryan Frank

]]> http://www.soe2007.org/the-history-lasik-surgery/feed 0 Laser Vision Correction Surgery http://www.soe2007.org/laser-vision-correction-surgery http://www.soe2007.org/laser-vision-correction-surgery#comments Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:07:32 +0000 admin http://www.soe2007.org/?p=269 If you are considering Laser vision correction surgery or Lasik you should find a good, reputable surgeon. They will examine your eyes to determine if you need the surgery and how much laser ablation would be required.

Laser vision surgery is done on an outpatient basis meaning you will be in and out of the hospital or clinic the same day. A computer is used to adjust the laser and you will be instructed to gaze at a target. The laser will then reshape your cornea and you will not feel any pain. The procedure usually takes no more than 5 minutes but the results will last a lifetime.

As an alternative to wearing glasses or contact lenses, laser correction surgery is being chooses by many people now that did not have the option just a few years ago. Advances in laser technology are now helping people that have myopia and hyperopic.

Myopia or nearsightedness is when objects nearby are clear and faraway objects are blurry. Hyperopic is when objects nearby are blurry and far away objects are seen clearly. Astigmatism is when the objects are distorted due to an irregular shape of the eye. These conditions previously required glasses or contact lenses but now can be treated with laser vision correction surgery.

Everyone that wants this procedure done may not be good candidates for it. Laser vision correction surgery may not be available for people with certain diseases, both medical and ocular and patients with seriously high refractive errors that the laser cannot correct. Potential candidates also must be at least 18 years old.

There can be a potential for complications to occur in laser vision correction surgery as in all types of medical procedures. In correction surgery it would be either intraoperatively, while the procedure is being done, or postoperatively, during the healing phase. Part of the procedure of laser vision corrective surgery is the making of the flap by the microkeratome. They can be incomplete or irregular and usually can be corrected with a follow-up treatment.

Laser vision correction surgery is an important decision and can have benefits for those with vision problems. Choosing the right doctor and discussing your options are part of the process. If the procedure is right for your vision problems you may be able to put those glasses away for good.

]]> http://www.soe2007.org/laser-vision-correction-surgery/feed 0 LASIK Surgery – Terms You Should Know http://www.soe2007.org/lasik-surgery-terms-you-should-know http://www.soe2007.org/lasik-surgery-terms-you-should-know#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:45:37 +0000 admin http://www.soe2007.org/lasik-surgery-terms-you-should-know Here are some interesting LASIK eye surgery terminology and facts. If you are planning on having this type of surgery it is always good to familiarize yourself with it and the lingo.

Dr. Jose Barraquer from Colombia in 1970 was the first person to develop the Microkeratome, an instrument that could cut thin flaps in the cornea and alter its shape. He is ultimately the one who made this type of corrective eye surgery possible.

This type of surgery is very safe and painless. Patients experience very little pain and usually fully recover within 24 hours. Their vision is noticeably improved as soon as the surgical procedure is finished. Patients are awake during the procedure and do go temperately blind while their cornea is being worked on. This sometimes frightens patients but only lasts for a short period of time.

Here are some terms for your interest.

Laser-assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a form of refractive laser eye surgery. This type of procedure is performed by an Ophthalmologist and is designed to help correct vision.

Microkeratome – A Microkeratome is a precision surgical instrument with an oscillating blade designed for creating the corneal flap in LASIK or ALK surgery

Eye Surgery – Ophthalmic surgery or ocular surgery, a surgical procedure performed on the eye or its adnexa.

Adnexa – Appendages of an organ.

Refractive – The turning or bending of any wave, such as a light or sound wave, when it passes from one medium into another of different optical density. It is also the ability of the eye to bend light so that an image is focused on the retina, allowing the image to be sent to the brain for processing.

In Situ – In situ is a Latin phrase used in many different contexts and means ‘in place’.

Keratomileusis – A procedure for the correction of the refraction of the cornea by removing a deep corneal lamella, freezing it, forming it to a new curvature, and then replacing it.

Ophthalmologist – A physician who specializes in ophthalmology.

Ophthalmology – Branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, functions, pathology, and treatment of the eye.

Isn’t medical technology amazing? Just knowing that if you were born with bad eyes that you can go spend a few thousand dollars and transform your sub-par vision into perfect 20/20 should bring some ease to your life. To your heath and to your life – farewell!




By: Jim Grayson

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