Lasik Eye Surgery


Lasik is actually a 2-step vision correction procedure which has been very successful in treating myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.


Your Lasik Consultation

  • Your Lasik consultation is the first step in determining your suitability
  • A highly trained, experienced Orthoptist will meet with you first
  • A series of tests will be carried out to assess the health of your eyes and to determine the best treatment option for you
  • You will then meet with your surgeon who will discuss the results of your examination with you, explain the Lasik procedure and explore treatment options that are customized to your needs

On the day of your Lasik consultation you will meet with one of our highly trained orthoptic staff who will take some preliminary measurements of your eyes to help assess your individual needs and determine what procedure you are suitable for.

Following your thorough examination you will then meet with your surgeon who will explain the results of your examination and take you through the Lasik procedure in detail. The best treatment option for you will be customized depending on your needs and your suitability.  During this time you will have plenty of opportunity to ask all the questions you may have regarding your procedure.

The surgeon you have your consultation with will personally perform your surgery
You can expect to be with us for about 2.0 – 2.5 hours

Lasik Diagnostic Assessment

Taking your eye and general health history

  • Occupation is relevant
  • General health
  • Medications & allergies
  • Previous ocular (eye) history and family history
  • Measure current prescription

Diagnostic Testing


A series of diagnostic tests are performed to assess the health of your eyes and determine the best treatment options for you.  Testing may include the following:


  • Corneal topography – topolyzer, pentacam
  • Visual acuity
  • Ocular motility
  • Eye dominance
  • Auto refraction
  • Scotopic pupil size
  • Corneal Pachymetry
  • Intra ocular pressure
  • Tear film break up time


The Benefits

  • Lasik is the most widely used refractive surgical procedure for correcting short sightedness (myopia), long sightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism because of its excellent results and fast recovery.
  • The IntraLase laser creates the flap without any cutting
  • The entire procedure is performed under local anaesthesia (eye drops) meaning you can go home on the same day as your surgery
  • At Southline, our laser clinic uses the latest technology available to customize your treatment. Including iris registration/ eye tracking which ensures the most accurate laser eye surgery. It allows us to precisely measure and track the eye's movements and aligns the eye during surgery.
  • Its safe, precise and there is no need for stitches
  • There is little or no discomfort
  • Visual recovery is rapid after Lasik.  Most people enjoy better vision, without glasses, within a few hours of surgery


Your Surgery

Prior to surgery

You will have been given the following instructions and some medication to commence 3 days before your surgery.

  • No hard contacts for 4 weeks prior to surgery.  If you are a hard contact lens wearer it is possible to change to soft contact lenses until 7 days prior to surgery.
  • No soft contacts for 1 week prior to surgery, no soft toric lenses for 2 weeks prior or as otherwise advised.
  • You should make arrangements for someone to accompany you home after surgery.  DO NOT DRIVE for at least 24 hours or until adequate vision has returned.

Confirmation

Its important also to confirm your arrival time 2 days prior to surgery as times are subject to change. 

What to expect on the day

  • Arrival
  • Pre-op medication given
  • Procedure
  • Post-op medication and instructions
  • Discharge the same day – when you are ready to go
  • Day 1 post-op check up


During the Pre-operative process you will be given a mild sedative which will help you to relax.

Both eyes are normally treated on the same day and you can expect to be in surgery for about 20mins in total.

Once your procedure is completed and you have had some time to recover you will have your eyes checked by the surgeon.  When you are feeling comfortable you can go home. At this stage your vision will be slightly blurry so you will need someone to drive you home.  

Our advice is to go straight home, relax and have a sleep. You will be sent home with all your post operative instructions and medication along with an appointment for the following day for your post operative check up.

The Procedure


Lasik is a two-step procedure that involves the creation of a thin flap on the surface of the cornea (the front surface of your eye) using the Intralase Laser followed by the reshaping or correction of the underlying surface of the cornea.  The flap is then replaced and adheres within minutes without the need for stitches.

Step by step

  • Topical anaesthetic drops are given to completely numb the eye for the procedure.
  • A small instrument is used to gently hold your eyelid securely during the procedure so you don’t need to worry about blinking or moving your eye.
  • First the corneal flap is created using the Intralase Laser , no surgical blade is used on your eye during any stage of the procedure.
  • The flap is then gently folded back so that the underlying surface of the cornea can be reshaped.
  • You are then positioned under the Allegretto (excimer) laser for the reshaping.  The speed and precision of the laser allows tiny amounts of tissue (100 times thinner than a human hair) to be removed painlessly, creating the shape required to give you clear vision.
  • There is no pain, though you may feel a slight pressure on the eye.  You will also see lights and movement but you cannot feel the laser reshaping your eye.
  • The flap is then carefully repositioned where it seals naturally within a few minutes and no stitches required.