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LASIK Eye Surgery

ID: ANCE00185
MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: LASIK is a surgical procedure intended to reduce a person's dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The term LASIK stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis and is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, which is the clear covering over the front of the eye. LASIK is an outpatient surgical procedure that usually requires about 15 minutes per eye. Before the procedure, you will be asked to lie on your back and remain still. Topical eye drops will be used to numb your eye, and the area around the eye will be washed and cleansed. You may also be given a sedative to help you relax. Your doctor will use an instrument called the lid speculum to hold your eyelid open and then place a ring on your eye that creates suction on the cornea. You may feel pressure and experience dimming of your vision at this point in the surgery. Once the ring is firmly in place, your doctor will attach a special device called a microkeratome to the suction ring. Using the blade on the microkeratome, your doctor will create a corneal flap by cutting approximately the outermost 20% of your cornea and lifting it carefully to one side. After removing the suction ring and microkeratome, your doctor will use pulses from a computer-controlled excimer laser to reshape your cornea by vaporizing tiny portions of its interior. This part of the procedure usually takes less than 60 seconds. Your doctor will then replace the corneal flap into its original position and observe the eye for several minutes to ensure bonding. Because the cornea bonds so quickly, healing is rapid, and the eye does not require stitches. After the procedure, your doctor will administer antibiotic drops and place a shield over your eye to prevent you from rubbing it or from putting pressure on it while you sleep. Since you will not be able to drive immediately following the procedure, you will need to make arrangements for a ride home.

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