Although LASIK eye surgery is an extremely successful procedure and there are very few cases of complications, there are risks. In many cases, the microkeratome, the tool was originally used to create the corneal flap, was the source of the problem.
Femtosecond laser LASIK has replaced the mechanical microkeratome with the precision of a laser, making LASIK at Chicago Cornea Consultants™, Ltd. safer than ever before!
During the femtosecond laser LASIK procedure, the laser is used to precisely create a corneal flap. Once. the femtosecond laser has created the flap, an excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea, just like the traditional LASIK procedure.
Some patients who were ineligible for traditional LASIK surgery because their corneas were too thin may be better candidates for femtosecond laser LASIK. Femtosecond laser LASIK is also associated with fewer complications than traditional LASIK as a laser is used to create the corneal flap, rather than a blade. The outer layer of the cornea experiences no trauma, and the procedure is relatively painless.
Recovery after femtosecond laser LASIK is similar to that after traditional LASIK, with a few exceptions. Following femtosecond laser LASIK, you may experience some eye irritation for up to two days, and it may take a little longer to recover good vision. However, there is a lower incidence of dry eyes, corneal complications, and re-operations with femtosecond laser LASIK than with traditional LASIK.
If you want to find out if femtosecond laser LASIK is right for you or are interested in Chicago Cornea Consultants™’ other laser vision correction procedures, contact us today!