LASIK means: LASER ASSISTED IN SITU KERATOMILEUSIS.
In our Clinic we work with a last generation Excimer laser

Yes. The objective of LASIK technique is to correct at maximum the refractive defect. Even in the case of not obtaining the foreseen accuracy, an improvement in the visual sharpness without corrective lenses is always obtained. In very rare occasions patients may experiment symptoms of glare, double image and a reduction of their visual acuity. It is essential an exhaustive previous examination and even more, the choice of a highly experimented equipment.
Although we use the most modern technology, it is impossible to guarantee the absolute zero, even if in 96% of cases the accuracy degree is obtained. At the first stage (15 days) we try to leave a mean refractive defect opposite at the one the patient had (that means that a myope patient is ment to have a 0.5 to 1.00 dioptry hyperopia in the immediate postop). It is a necessary condition because of the recuperation power of the cornea.

No. It can produce a slight, postoperative discomfort. Lasik surgery is a painless method, as the eye is under the effect of the "eye drop" anaesthesia that protects the nerves endings from pain, but there are some sensations depending on the patient. The patient may notice sensations, but never pain. During a few hours after the operation, sensations as gravel, swollen eyelids, eye itching and watery eyes, may appear. This sensation can usually be alleviated with a common analgesic.

If it were necessary to fine tune the surgical procedure with contact lenses there are usually no contraindications.
The shape of the patients cornea will be diferrent after than before the surgery. The explanation is that we modify the shape in the operation so that images passing through the cornea focus on the retina.La curvatura de ésta debería ser diferente a la anterior ya que la cirugía consiste en la modificación de la curvatura corneal para solucionar el defecto refractivo del paciente. The best kind of lenses to be used in this situation are the disposable ones, which due to their reduced thickness are more adherent and fit almost every kind of corneal curvature.

The idea in LASIK is to reduce patients amtropy to obtain the best visual acuity the patient had before the operation with correction. The special cases, those patients with complicated graduations, thin corneas ... have a previous general exam. Therefore we advise the best surgery in each case (if necessary, we fit contact lenses to simulate the visual acuity afeter surgery), although this are exceptional cases.
Patients with presbyopia are advised about the need of using glasses for a near gight vision.

Very little. In most of the cases, one can normally join the normal life the day after the surgery. The visual recovery takes place the first fortnight though refractive stability can last three months. Sometimes it is necessary a provisional compensation to help the patient to develop the professional activity if the visual requirement is high.

In 99% percent of the cases it is not necessary to cover the eyes. The night after the surgery you will wear transparent protectors to keep you from rubbing your eyes while you sleep. Those protectors are removed the next morning.

The anaesthesia used is topic, a colirium. Only a few drops are needed to obtain the desired effect, which lasts only for a few minutes after the surgery. It is a completely painless surgery.

Yes. LASIK can be used to treat myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, both: pure astigmatism or associated to any of the two other conditions. In the first examination we study each case and advise the patient about the best technique to solve their vision problem.

Yes. This is a surgeon decission though usually the two eyes are operated the same day if the refractive defect is not too high. Doing it this way avoids the patient to have a diference between both eyes that would show uo as disconfort. It is an easy technique, quick, safe and accurate.

No. You should wait for at least one week to use make up. The make up favours several kinds of germ cultures.

Yes. Most of the times you can start driving in less than a week after the surgery but it is not possible for every case. It depends on the distance and the visual acuity of the patient.

The final result does not depend upon the behaviour of the patient during the procedure. There are some mechanisms that assures the adequate positioning of the treatment.

Three days before the surgery you should prepare your eyes by cleaning them daily and applying anti-inflammatory and antibiotic drops to prevent possible infections.
During the 15 days after surgery you will have to continue with the treatment (an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory), which will be gradually reduced until it is stopped.

Four controls are convenient after the treatment. The first one, ten minutes after the surgery. surgery. The second one, the following day. In this control, front pole, visual acuity and corneal curvature are examined.
When the pharmacological treatment concludes, the patient has its third control. Then the patient has another control three months later for a final evaluation and if the results are satisfactory, the patient is discharged.

LASIK corrects the existing refractive error in the moment of the treatment, but the defect could appear again, as it happens with non-stabilized. Because of this, in the preop examination we inquire the patient about a stable graduation, before planning surgery.
LASIK candidates are recommended to be sure that there was no change in the refractive defect at least in the last year.

LASIK changes the shape of the corneal stroma. The other ocular structures remain intact, so it wouldn't suppose a problem for future surgeries.