Laser Eye Surgery Procedures Ireland

Eye Laser Procedures

Here at Blackrock Clinic Excimer Laser Department a complete range of laser procedures are performed including LASIK, PRK/LASEK, Wavefront guided customized treatments and Wavefront guided Intralase treatments.

PRK
In PRK the centre of the surface of the cornea is re-shaped using the Excimer Laser by removing microscopic amounts of tissue. PRK is an excellent procedure for people with low glasses precsription.

As with any medical procedure there can be side effects associated with PRK. These include over and under corrections that may require additional treatment, although this is very rare among those who seek correction for low to moderate prescriptions. Other potential side effects include minor light sensitivity for several weeks after the operation.

LASEK
LASEK is a further refinement of PRK. In this procedure the surface cells are not removed as in PRK, but instead are gently moved to the edge of the cornea. After the laser has re-shaped the exposed corneal surface, the cells are laid back in place. LASEK and PRK may be good vision correction solutions for patients whose corneas are too thin for LASIK.

LASIK
LASIK is the treatment of choice for most patients. It can be performed on patients with low, moderate and higher prescriptions. Now using the intralase method (see below for more information), a thin layer of the cornea is lifted to create a flap. The flap is lifted back and the underlying surface is reshaped with the laser. The corneal flap is then repositioned into place. As LASIK results in less surface disturbance, there is less discomfort than with PRK/LASEK, as well as a more rapid recovery. Most patients experience a marked improvement in vision within 24 hours.
Risks and potential complications following this procedure include those outlined above for PRK/LASEK, as well as complications associated with creating the corneal flap.

Your surgeon will advise which treatment is most suitable for you after your assessment.

Wavefront Guided Custom Treatment
Using the revolutionary VISX Star S4 Excimer Laser system, in combination with Wavescan mapping technology, it is possible to identify and treat higher order imperfections other than short sight, long sight and astigmatism. This has the potential to further improve quality of vision in some patients. Your consultant will inform you if you are likely to benefit from this treatment.

Intralase
The Intralase method as mentioned above is a blade free technique to create your corneal flap, this is the thin layer of tissue that the surgeon creates in order to perform the LASIK procedure. The Intralase method can only be performed using the Intralase Femto Second Laser.

In the past surgeons have used an instrument know as a microkeratome to create the corneal flap. The microkeratome is a hand held blade that moves across the eye cutting the corneal flap. The Intralase method by contrast allows the surgeon to create the corneal flap without the use of a blade.

How Does Intralase work ?
Intralase works as tiny pulses of laser light (a quadrillionth) of a second each pass through the outer part of the eye known as the cornea to form a uniform layer of microscopic bubbles just directly below the surface of the eye.

The exact dimensions of the layer of bubbles is determined by the surgeon based on what is best for your eye and is computer controlled for ultimate precsion. This process takes aprroximately 15 - 30 seconds in total. When it is time for your LASIK treatment to be carried out, your surgeon simply separates the layer where theses bubbles occur and gently folds it back, thus creating your corneal flap. When the LASIK procedure is complete the flap is replaced back into its position where it has the ability to lock back into place. Your eye can then begin the process of quickly healing.

What else should I know about Intralase ?

• In a clincal survey of LASIK patients who had their corneal flaps created using a blade in one eye and the Intralase metod on the other, the vision in the Intralase method was preferred 3- to - 1, (among those who stated a preference).
• Over a million procedures have been performed safely and effectively using the intralase method.
• The blade free intralase method give patients more confidence and reduces anxiety levels going for LASIK treatments.