Posts Tagged Laser Eye Surgeon

Does Cornea Thickness Affect LASIK?

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

LASIK in Orange County

What happens during LASIK surgery that may be affected by corneal thickness? To begin the LASIK procedure, numbing drops are applied to your eye so no pain is felt during your procedure. Next, an ultra-thin blade is used to create a flap on the top of your cornea, which is then folded back and an excimer laser is used to reshape your cornea. This LASIK laser eye procedure corrects your vision as close to 20/20 as possible. Finally, your corneal flap is replaced and left to heal naturally without the need for stitches.

Corneal topogram of a keratoconic eye

Image via Wikipedia


Corneal thickness is an important consideration due to the reshaping done to improve vision during the LASIK laser eye procedure. Having a condition known as keratoconus is an automatic disqualifier for having LASIK. Keratoconus is a degenerative corneal disease affecting ones vision. Currently, no form of LASIK is recommended for patients with keratoconus. This hereditary condition includes a general thinning of the cornea along with a cone-shaped protrusion of the central cornea. Thinning the cornea further through LASIK laser vision correction can weaken an already diseased cornea and could require a corneal transplant sooner rather than later. However, procedures such as PRK and LASEK do not require making a corneal flap and are better suited for patients with thinner than normal corneas. PRK is an acronym for photo-refractive keratotomy and was around before LASIK surgery. An excimer laser is also used in this procedure but without having to allow for a corneal flap, it is safe to reshape the cornea without fear of worsening the existing keratoconus. LASEK is much like PRK, but a very thin layer of the epithelium (outer-most layer of cells on the cornea) is removed and replaced intact before and after the corneal reshaping procedure.

If you are considering LASIK laser vision correction and have concerns about how good a candidate you might be, be contact the highly qualified LASIK surgeons at Harvard Eye in Orange County, California, who have performed 1,000′s laser vision correction procedures. These surgeons have the skill, experience, up-to-date equipment and technology necessary to meet your needs. Our ophthalmologists provide a comprehensive exam, and exceptional care following your LASIK laser vision correction procedure.

If you would like more information on LASIK vision correction in Orange County, California and the surrounding area, please visit Harvard Eye Associates of LASIK in Orange County today.

Orange County – LASIK Advice

Sunday, February 15th, 2009

Harvard Eye Offers Expert LASIK Advice

Harvard Eye wants each of their patients to be informed and understand the LASIK procedure before making a commitment. To be a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, their patients must meet the physical, health and age criteria. Harvard Eye wants you to fully understand the LASIK procedure and be aware of any risks and possible side effects. Harvard Eye is offering some guidelines may assist in a general estimation of your suitability for LASIK surgery. However, a consultation with Harvard Eye would be necessary to determine whether you are fully qualify as a LASIK candidate.

A duck in a pond in Orange County, California.

Image via Wikipedia

Harvard Eye explains that LASIK has definite physical, health and age criteria, which must be met before a patient can be considered for LASIK. This includes:

  1. Healthy eyes
  2. Age of at least 18 years
  3. Stable eyeglass prescription for at least one year
  4. Vision within the correctable range

Harvard Eye further explains that you are not a candidate for LASIK if you:

  1. Have a history of eye disease or injury
  2. Have a history of any autoimmune disease
  3. Take prescription medications that may affect healing or vision
  4. Are pregnant or nursing

Harvard Eye feels is it vital that their patients understand the LASIK procedure and thoroughly read the literature they gives you. Harvard Eye encourages you to ask questions to cover all of your concerns. Harvard Eye has performed over 100,000 successful refractive surgeries; they care deeply about each of their patients and work diligently to stay on top of the most modern techniques and technology. If you are interested in understanding what LASIK can do for you, please call our office now for your free, no-obligation, no-hassle LASIK consultation.

Orange County LASIK – Harvard Eye Associates in Orange County, California specializes in LASIK laser vision correction.