The following methods of laser vision correction are used at our Laser Eye Surgery Centre:

LASIK (laser assisted in situ keratomileusis): A modern method of modelling the cornea with the use of a laser beam, which makes it possible to get rid of the refractive error in a safe and painless way. This is currently the most popular method of laser vision correction. It does not require any dressings or long healing periods. Preparation of the surgical field for the operation of the laser involves the creation of a corneal flap with the use of a microkeratome. The flap, for the duration of laser ablation, is gently deflected, and after the beam has ceased to operate, is replaced thus forming a natural dressing. The procedure takes only 25 minutes to complete in both eyes and several hours later the patient regains sharp vision, especially far vision. Within 24 hours the patient may resume everyday activities. The period of healing, depending on the individual tendencies of the patient’s body, takes about one month, during which time patients should not rub their eyes, swim in the swimming pool, stay in dusted or smoky locations. The patients should also wear sunglasses during that period. Antibiotic eye drops are generally to be used for about 2 weeks and rewetting drops for 1-3 months. Sometimes the patient is prescribed eye drops containing a steroid. After surgery eye injury should carefully be avoided. LASIK is not recommended for patients involved in contact sports.
LASIK is not feasible for patients with thin corneas, in which case LASEK or Epi-LASIK are the recommended methods.

SBK LASIK (sub-Bowman keratomileusis): This is a more gentle variety of the LASIK method, in which a thinner flap is created. In the traditional LASIK method the flap is 130-180 µm thick (depending on the microkeratome used). In SBK, the use of a special microkeratome head, MORIA One Use-Plus SBK, allows to create a flap that is 70-100 µm thick. The incision is made just underneath the Bowman capsule, which enables a considerable sparing of the corneal cells and leads to benefits that have never before been possible. SBK is currently the safest and the most comfortable variety of the LASIK method. The surface of the proper substance of the cornea, also called the steep surface, is much smoother on microscopy and better preserved following SBK than following procedures using other methods. SBK is even more advantageous than the IntraLase method, where the flap is created with the use of a femtosecond laser. Only apparently incision with a laser, so without the use of a knife, seems better. Detachment of the superficial layer of the cornea from the proper substance results from an explosion of thousands of tiny gas bubbles, which is similar to the way Velcro works. Separation of individual corneal layers takes a minute when IntraLase method is used and two seconds in the case of SBK.
The most important advantages of SBK is the rapid and painless regeneration period. Most patients regain sharp vision within several hours and have no symptoms. Sensitivity to light considerably decreases and there are fewer cases of dry eye in the first period after surgery. In addition, the thin flap offers a chance of getting rid of the refractive error to patients who cannot undergo laser vision correction due to a thin cornea, marked myopia or both.

Epi-LASIK (epithelial laser in situ keratomileusis): Epi-LASIK is a modification of LASEK and LASIK. It is most commonly used in patients with thin corneas or at a high risk of injury (policemen, firemen, sportsmen, soldiers). In Epi-LASIK the surgical field for the operation of laser is prepared with the use of an epikeratome. In contrast to the microkeratome used in LASIK, the epikeratome mechanically detaches only the corneal epithelium without penetrating the deeper layers of the cornea. This makes it possible to avoid complications related to the flap. Because, in contrast to LASEK, no alcohol is used in the preparation of the epithelial flap, the survival of epithelial cells is higher thanks to which regeneration of the epithelium is faster and pain minimal. After surgery a soft contact lens is applied onto the eye, which additionally promotes healing. The contact lenses are removed at the follow-up visit one week after surgery. The patient is prescribed a set of eye drops to be used during the healing period, as directed by the ophthalmologist, usually for 2-4 weeks.

LASEK (laser subepithelial keratomileusis): LASEK is the method generally used in patients with excessively thin corneas and when other methods are contraindicated for some reason. LASEK involves the application of an alcohol solution, which softens and detaches the superficial layer of the corneal epithelium for the duration of laser operation. Next, the operator precisely repositions the epithelium and applies contact lenses as a dressing, which are to be worn for 4-7 days. Then, at the follow-up visit, the doctor removes the lenses. The very procedure is painless and performed in eye drop anaesthesia. Pain may appear several hours after surgery and persist for up to 3-5 days. Patients are advised to take the painkillers they were provided with by the staff after surgery. Anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotic-containing eye drops are to be taken as directed by the doctor, generally for up to 14 days. Rewetting drops are to be sued for 1-2 months. Patients may resume their everyday activities within 3-6 days, strictly following the doctor’s directions. Visual acuity improves gradually with normal vision generally appearing within 2-4 weeks.

The method is selected by the doctor based on test results and medical history. All the benefits and contraindications related to individual methods will be discussed with the patient before surgery.