Project Description
LASIK AND REFRACTIVE SURGERY
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Refractive Surgery (LASIK and Advance Surface Ablation)
Refractive surgery is the term used to describe surgical procedures that correct refractive errors and help patients to be independent or less dependent of spectacles and contact lenses.
Since LASIK and refractive surgery started in the 1990s, and was eventually offered in Singapore in 1996, the advancement in technology for these surgeries have improved remarkably over the years.
Besides the technology, cornea and refractive specialists have also come to learn and understand the behavior of the cornea and outcome of such refractive surgeries a lot more.
The advancement in laser technology, treatment, diagnostic and the deeper understanding of the cornea and refractive surgery makes LASIK surgery effective, predictable and safe.
Refractive errors that are correctable are:
LASIK Surgery
The most popular refractive surgery is the laser procedure known as Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis surgery (LASIK). The surgery is performed with anaesthesia using eye drops. It involves the use of femtosecond laser to create a cornea flap, and then shaping a thin layer of corneal tissue with use of an excimer laser. At the end of the surgery, the flap is replaced back into place. The goal of LASIK is to improve vision to the point of not being dependent on spectacles or contact lenses, or to the point of wearing thinner spectacles.
Advance Surface Ablation
Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) comes in form of PhotoRefractive Keratectomy (PRK) / TransPRK / Epi-LASIK / LASEK. The surgery is performed with anaesthesia using eye drops. It involves removal of the epithelial layer of the cornea with the use of alcohol / epi-blade / laser and subsequently the use of an excimer laser to shape a thin layer of corneal tissue.
What is the difference between LASIK and ASA?
Both procedures yield excellent visual outcome and quality of vision. However, there are some key differences between the two procedures:
| LASIK vs ASA |
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| ASA vs LASIK |
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Why choose JL Eye Specialists for your LASIK surgery?
At JL Eye Specialists, Dr Jimmy Lim is an experienced ophthalmologist and eye surgeon with more than 20 years of practice in clinical ophthalmology. He was fellowship-trained at the prestigious Baylor College of Medicine in United States of America under the tutelage of Professor Douglas Koch, specializing in both laser refractive surgeries (LASIK) and corneal surgeries.
Dr Jimmy Lim is driven to provide optimal eye care to all his patients. He meticulously integrates advanced technology know-how and detailed corneal assessments, providing patients a better understanding of their suitability for LASIK surgery.
Coupled with the use of advanced laser technologies such as the SCHWIND AMARIS 1050RS and the 5th generation iFS Intralase femtosecond laser, Dr Jimmy Lim’s treatment provides for highly effective and precise outcomes with enhanced safety and comfort for his patients.
Suitability Assessment
As not all patients are suitable for LASIK and refractive surgery, it is important to consult with Dr Jimmy Lim for a suitability assessment. Based on your pre-op assessment, you will be recommended the most suitable method of surgery.
Please visit us at our clinic for a LASIK Pre-op assessment. You can also visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to find out more.
Advanced Technologies for LASIK and Refractive Surgery Diagnostics and Management
Galilei G4
The Galilei G4 combines Placido disc–based topography and Dual-Scheimpflug tomography in one unit. This combination allows the device to provide complete analysis of both the anterior and posterior corneal surface for comprehensive screening required for refractive surgery such as LASIK, PRK, ASA, etc. all in one measurement session.
The Galilei G4 topography function accurately measures the anterior curvature of the cornea where it precisely detects anterior surface irregularities and tear film quality.
The Galilei G4 tomography function precisely measures pachymetry and elevation data with 3D anterior chamber analysis. The ray-traced posterior corneal surface data detects any protrusion or asymmetry in early stages of corneal diseases.
Intralase iFS Femtosecond Laser
The 5th generation Intralase iFS Laser allows highly customizable LASIK flap to be created in as fast as 12 seconds. The iFS Laser draws together two major innovations in flap architecture: the inverted bevel-in side cut and elliptical-shaped flaps. The inverted bevel-in side cut increases the stability and strength of the corneal flap, while elliptical-shaped flaps allow maximal stromal bed exposure for ease of treatment.
The iFS Laser provides the idyllic mixture of benefits such as: minimal tissues disruption of the cornea, firmer flaps, lesser instances of complications with a quicker recovery of vision.
SCHWIND AMARIS® 1050RS Excimer Laser
The SCHWIND AMARIS® 1050RS Excimer Laser system combines all available modern technology in one system, aiming to achieve enhanced patient comfort and superior visual outcomes.
The main features include:
- Extremely fast laser speed of 1050 pulses per second
- 7-Dimensional eye tracker
- SCHWIND SmartSurfACE laser technology
- SCHWIND SmartPulse laser technology
ORK-CAM
The intelligent SCHWIND CAM module ORK-CAM allows highly precise planning of patient’s refractive laser treatment.
Two types of treatment profiles are available to cater to different patients’ needs, enhancing post-operative vision quality.
- Aberration-free
- Customized
The ORK-CAM calculates the ideal centration and size of the laser treatment zone based on the eye parameters and treatment method. This helps to minimize tissue ablation to ensure patient safety, at the same time achieving stable visual outcomes.
LASIK FAQs
- You are required to go through a LASIK Pre-op assessment to determine if you are a suitable candidate, but here are some general guidelines:
- Age: At least 18 years old. Parental consent will be required if you are below 21 years old.
- Stable vision and spectacles prescription for at least a year before surgery.
- Patients do not have glaucoma, cataracts, retinal problems, infections or any other eye conditions.
- Currently not pregnant or breastfeeding.
- LASIK is effective for the treatment of myopia (short-sightedness) from 100 to 1500 degrees and astigmatism of up to 600 degrees.
- It can also treat hyperopia (long-sightedness) from 100 to 500 degrees.
- The entire procedure takes around 15 minutes for both eyes while the laser treatment usually takes around 1 minute.
- Contact lens wearers will need to stop wearing the lenses prior to the assessment:
- Soft contact lens: 1 week
- Hard or rigid gas permeable lens: 2 weeks
- Orthokeratology lens: 1 month
- The LASIK Pre-op assessment comprises several eye tests to obtain precise measurements of the eyes.
- Pupil dilation will be required to allow the ophthalmologist to assess the posterior eye health to rule out any eye conditions.
- The whole assessment will take up to 1 hour to complete.
- You are strongly advised not to drive on the day of assessment.
- Before the LASIK procedure
- Numbing eye drops will be instilled in your eyes.
- During the LASIK procedure
- A corneal flap will be created using a precise lasering machine
- The laser will be used to reshape the cornea and the flap will be replaced.
- After the LASIK procedure
- Post-surgery you will be resting in the recovery area before heading home.
- Your vision may be slightly hazy immediately after the surgery and typically improves by the end of the day.
- It will be ideal for someone to accompany you home after the surgery.
- Yes, both eyes can be treated on the same day.
- You will not feel pain during the LASIK surgery, however, you may feel some sensation of touch during the surgery.
- Some may experience dry eyes after the surgery, which can be relieved with lubricating eye drops and will improve over time.
- Some patients may also experience mild visual disturbances (glares, halos, starbursts) and these effects will decrease over time.
- You will need to return for the first post-operative review on the following day after surgery. The subsequent reviews will be scheduled at one week and one to two months respectively.
- You can return to work in two days. (Medical leave certificate will be provided for 3 days)
- You can also resume simple exercises in about a week.
- Contact sports (such as martial arts and boxing) and water sports (such as swimming and scuba diving) should be avoided in the first month after surgery.
- You should also avoid crowded and dusty places for the first week to reduce the risk of infection after surgery.
Book An Appointment
We understand that each patient comes with their unique concerns. We customize our approach to ensure that we provide each patient with the appropriate treatment to address their needs.