Vision problems and the eye

The cornea is a part of the eye that helps to concentrate light rays so that an acute and focused imaged is created on the retina (innermost layer at the back of the eyeball). This works very much the same way as a compact camera’s lens, which concentrates the entering light rays to create an image on film. The bending and the concentration of light are called refraction.

Glasses or contact lenses are created to compensate for the eye’s defective work, but the eye’s ability to focus can also be improved through a laser procedure. This field of surgery is called refractive surgery and KSA uses the following operational techniques: LASIK and Epi-K. During these procedures a small amount of tissue is removed from the eye’s cornea with a special laser and the shape of the cornea is altered in order to achieve better focusing by the eye.

TECHNIQUES IN LASER SURGERY

What is LASIK?
LASIK is a laser procedure, which permanently changes the shape of the cornea in the frontal part of the eye’s transparent structure with an excimer laser. A special device called microkeratome is used to cut out a flap of the cornea, which is left attached to the cornea from one side. The flap is rolled aside and the corneal bed, stroma, is revealed underneath. Computer controlled impulses coming from the laser remove a part of the stroma and then the flap is pushed back to its place.

What is PRK?
Photorefractive keratectomy or PRK is the first surgical procedure developed to alter the shape of the cornea with a laser. The same laser is used to perform both LASIK and PRK, but the difference between the two is that in the case of LASIK only the middle layer of the cornea or stroma is altered. During a PRK procedure the cornea is not cut open, but instead the upper epithelia layer is scratched off to get to the stroma. Since LASIK procedure enables quicker recovery and more accuracy, the PRK technique is considered out of date and KSA does not use it to correct eye sight.

What is Epi-K?
Epi-K is basically the same as more frequently used term LASEK, and it is a relatively recent modification of the PRK technique. LASEK uses alcohol based solution to release the upper layer of the cornea, epithelia, which is set aside for the course of the procedure. With the newest form of LASEK, which is sometimes called also Epi-LASIK, a special microkeratome is used to detach the epithelia from the layers underneath. After the laser treatment the epithelia is put back to its original place.  

You can read more about our procedures from the following sections:
Standard LASIK, Matrix LASIK and Epi-K.

You could also study more about eye health and laser procedures by reading our articles, where you can find literature about the eyes in general and as well on the subject of laser surgeries. However, you could also read what our patients think about all of that.

Eye surgery is not suitable for everybody, who wants to get rid of glasses. The link “Suitable patient“ gives an overview of who qualifies for the surgery, but a more accurate answer you would still receive after a thorough eye exam in the clinic. Use the form on the right to register for tests.