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What technically makes LASIK different from other laser
eye surgeries is the famous flap. In LASIK, a mechanical blade called
a microkeratome is used to cut a "flap" of tissue from
the cornea, leaving a "hinge" of attached tissue on one
side. The laser is applied to the tissue underneath the flap (the
stroma) and then the flap is replaced.
What makes
LASIK different from other laser eye surgeries from the patient's
perspective is that to most patients there is both a convenience
factor and a "wow" factor in that it involves little to
no pain during healing and visual results are almost immediately
apparent. These factors have contributed to make LASIK the king
- not only of laser eye surgery but of all elective surgeries today.
However,
these advantages are also counterbalanced by some distinct disadvantages.
There are many complications which are unique to LASIK, and of those
many are related to the process of cutting the flap. Additionally,
LASIK penetrates much deeper into the cornea than any other laser
procedure and even when the flap is replaced, in many cases the
overall structure is weaker, which can cause long-term complications
such as ectasia. For a more in-depth discussion of LASIK versus
surface ablation, see "Related LaserMyEye Articles" below.
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