LASIK surgery has become one of the most common surgeries performed on patients, and those who undergo the procedure are generally thrilled at the almost instantaneous results of improved vision. While most patients experience 20/20 vision within a few days of surgery, sometimes a problem such as an unwanted astigmatism or other less than perfect results can happen if there is too much eye movement from the patient during the procedure.

To make sure all goes well, surgeons use a variety of methods to make sure they are able to work on a patient’s eye while it stays as still as possible.

Fixation Light

During LASIK surgery, keeping the eye as still as possible can make all the difference in how much improvement a patient has in their vision. To ensure the eye stays still, patients are put in a reclining position and given eye drops designed to numb the eye and help keep it open. Once the drops have taken effect, it’s time to begin the surgery. Patients are instructed to keep their eye on the fixation light located within the housing of the excimer laser. This is very important, for it will keep the eye still and focused while the surgeon is reshaping the cornea to improve the patient’s vision.

Eye-Tracker Feature

Most of today’s surgeons use equipment that can compensate for a patient’s eye moving a bit during surgery. Lasers such as the Allegretto IQ Laser are used by today’s surgeons to monitor the movement of the eye during surgery and adjust the laser accordingly. Within the housing of the laser, there is a eye-tracker feature that monitors the position of a patient’s eye in milliseconds and thus can adjust the length and strength of the laser beam to ensure accurate results. Even after being given drops to help numb the eye and to assist with keeping it still, there are almost always some voluntary and involuntary eye movements during surgery. Using this advanced feature will allow surgeons to keep the correct relationship between the apex of the cornea and the laser beam.

Lid Speculum

In addition to keeping the eye perfectly still during surgery, it also has to stay open. To accomplish this, an instrument called a lid speculum is used to keep a patient’s eyelids open during surgery. Once the patient’s eye is properly positioned under the laser, the lid speculum is put into place. Simply a small wire with adjustable tension controls, it puts minimal pressure on the eye while ensuring it stays open and still during the surgery. After using an ink marker on the cornea before creating the flap, surgeons will also use a suction ring on the front of the eye to help prevent eye movements or a loss of contact during surgery that could affect the outcome.

Allegretto IQ Laser

Today’s surgeons use the most recent lasers for surgery, and the one considered to be the industry leader is the Allegretto IQ Laser. Widely considered the fastest and safest laser on the market, it’s able to compensate for any eye movements with its PerfectPulse Technology allowing the laser to monitor the slightest of eye movements to ensure the best results for doctor and patient. By using the latest equipment and thoroughly explaining the procedure to the patient, doctors will make LASIK surgery something that will change a person’s life for the better.

About Author : Austin Faux works for 2020 Lasik Indianapolis. When at work I’m researching the latest Lasik news for more blogs. But when at home I’m helping my beautiful wife relax, playing with my two kids and messing around on my nerd podcast, “I Am A Super Nerd.” Find me on Google+
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