LASIK: Is it for me? Dr James Pan, Consultant LASIK Surgeon, Tan Tock Seng Hospital Laser in situ keratomileusis or LASIK in short, is the most widely performed laser refractive surgery worldwide. While millions have benefited from LASIK and the good vision that comes with the procedure, there are many still waiting at the sidelines. I have many patients asking me this question in my practice. The best way to answer this question is to have a good understanding of this procedure; what it is, how it is done, what the options are, how I would know I am suitable, what I can get out of it.   What is LASIK? LASIK has opened up new horizons in the correction of refractive errors such as myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness) and astigmatism. This procedure uses a precise, cool ultraviolet beam (excimer laser) to re-shape your cornea so that it can better focus light into the eye thus giving good clear vision without the need of spectacles or contact lenses.   How is it done?   What are the options? Blade versus Bladeless (IntraLASIK) There are 2 methods of creating the corneal flap. The first method involves a hand-held mechanical microkeratome that uses an oscillating blade to make the cut. While it is very safe, it is sometimes associated with problems such as irregular or incomplete cut. The second method uses a computer guided femtosecond laser (Intralase®) that delivers micron-level accuracy to create the flap. With this laser, one can create a corneal flap of exact diameter, depth, hinge location, centration and overall architecture. This method is particularly useful to those with thin or excessively flat or steep corneas. Customized Wavefront LASIK Unlike standard LASIK, Wavefront LASIK uses 3-dimensional measurements of how your eye processes an image to create an exact laser pattern for you. Everyone has unique minor optical imperfections. Wavefront technology detects these imperfections and customizes the laser to treat them in addition to treating regular refractive errors. Tissue-saving LASIK In order for the laser to re-shape your cornea, one of the pre-requisites is sufficient corneal thickness. A cornea that is rendered too thin after LASIK can be unstable. Tissue-saving LASIK can correct the same amount of refractive errors by removing 15% less tissue compared to standard LASIK. This allows refractive surgeons to perform LASIK on those with relatively high refractive errors and thin corneas. Aspheric LASIK In conventional LASIK, the center part of the cornea is flattened at the end of the procedure. Aspheric LASIK, a very new technology, is specially designed to retain the original curved shape of the cornea. This will translate to better vision and less glare and haloes at night for patients with high myopia.   How do I know I am suitable? Before you can have LASIK surgery, you must go through a series of investigations and eye examinations to ensure that your eyes are healthy and suitable for the procedure. If you are using contact lenses, you will be instructed to discontinue usage for 1 to 2 weeks. If you are found to be suitable, your surgeon will explore the various options and advise you on the best method to treat your eyes.   Are you a suitable candidate for LASIK? A thorough pre-LASIK assessment is vital in determining each person's suitability for undergoing the procedure. To be a suitable candidate, one needs to satisfy the following criteria: Be at least 18 years of age Have had a stable vision without significant increase in spectacle prescription for the past one year Must be free of eye diseases such as cataract and glaucoma Must not be pregnant / breastfeeding   What can I get out of LASIK? The main goal of LASIK is to reduce your dependency on spectacles or contact lenses. It does not always guarantee perfect vision. Nevertheless, many do go on to obtain perfect 20/20 vision. LASIK is also associated with a high level of satisfaction that accounts for its popularity. In short, LASIK is a safe, efficacious, and predictable form of laser vision correction. It is a viable alternative for those who want to have good vision but do not want the inconvenience or hassle of spectacles and contact lenses.   8 important tips in choosing the right LASIK CENTRE! TTSH LASIK CENTRE has specially compiled a simple checklist on how you can identify and choose the right LASIK centre. Good Licensing Accreditation - Singapore's Health system is ranked 6th in the World and 1st in Asia by the World Health Organisation. Find a centre that is licensed by MOH (Singapore). International Quality Accreditation - The centre should have international quality accreditation such as the Joint Commission International (JCI), which represents a centre's commitment to consistent and continuous quality care. Good Clinical Success Rates - Ensure that the centre is able to prove that it has good clinical success rates. Singapore's success rates of several top LASIK centres ranges from 98% to 100%, as certified by the Ministry Of Health, Singapore. Click here for a copy of the MOH Information Paper. Good Safety Record - Safety is of paramount importance in any surgery. Ensure that the centre is able to show proof of its safety records. State-Of-The-Art Technology - Some of the latest technology in LASIK includes the Bausch & Lomb ZyoptixTM 100 laser system and IntraLASIK which uses Intralase® femtosecond laser to create the corneal flap. Use of latest technology usually results in better clinical outcome and safety. Team of Accredited and Experienced LASIK Specialist Consultants - Ensure that the LASIK centre has a team of qualified and experienced LASIK specialists to ensure consistent care throughout the pre-surgery to post-surgery phase. Affordable and Transparent Surgery Rates - Find out the TOTAL costs of the surgery upfront. Beware of "packaged prices" as they are usually tied to certain terms and conditions. Affordable Installment Plans - Installment plans on credit cards provide a more convenient mode of payment with less upfront cash outlay. For enquiries or appointments, please call 6357 8188.