LASIK in Portland

LASIK

Dr. Ioussifova has extensive experience with the preoperative evaluation and postoperative care associated with LASIK surgery and other vision correction procedures. By far, LASIK is currently the most popular vision-correcting or “refractive” surgery available. However, there are other options as well. We will help you find the ideal solution for you and we’ll partner with the best surgeon to perform your procedure.

Understand the basics of LASIK

LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is the most commonly performed refractive surgery procedure. LASIK has advantages over other vision correction procedures, including a relative lack of pain afterward and a relatively quick healing time.

An instrument called a microkeratome is used in LASIK eye surgery to create a thin, circular flap in the cornea. Another, newer way of making the flap is with a laser.

The surgeon folds the hinged flap of the cornea back out of the way, then removes some corneal tissue underneath using an excimer laser. The excimer laser uses a cool ultraviolet light beam to precisely remove very tiny bits of tissue from the cornea to reshape it.

When the cornea is reshaped in the right way, it works better to focus light into the eye and onto the retina, providing clearer vision than before. The flap is then laid back in place, covering the area where the corneal tissue was removed.

Both nearsighted and farsighted people can benefit from the LASIK procedure. For nearsighted individuals, the goal is to flatten the too-steep cornea. For farsighted patients, a steeper cornea is desired. Excimer lasers also can correct astigmatism by smoothing an irregular cornea into a more normal shape.

Ask Dr. Ioussifova about LASIK at your next eye exam.