When you arrive at the Kremer/TLC laser center, the staff will perform several additional tests to help us achieve the best results for you. Corneal topography shows your doctor the curvature of your eye and pachymetry tells us its thickness, both important in our surgical plan.
In the laser suite, you will recline on a comfortable chair or table and be positioned under the laser. After numbing drops are applied, a special instrument holds your eyelids open to prevent you from blinking.
The laser computer will already be programmed with your prescribed correction and will precisely calculate the exact amount of cornea to be removed.
Procedures
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First, a small, thin flap is created from the front of your cornea with the Intralase femtosecond laser, and is lifted out of the way. This corneal flap stays attached to the rest of the cornea on one side and allows us to reshape the central part of the cornea with the excimer laser.
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The surgeon will position the laser and ask you to focus on a red fixation light overhead. He will activate the Excimer laser and begin reshaping the cornea. Each pulse removes a microscopic layer of cornea. Total laser time for most patients is less than one minute per eye.
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Then the corneal flap is put back in place. Stitches are not necessary as the flap seals itself naturally. The curvature of the cornea is now changed so that light is focused more directly on the retina and images are clearer.
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