The LASIK and IntraLASIK Treatment

    Every day when surgical procedures are scheduled, Dr. Boothe personally calibrates the VISX Star S4 and the Alcon LADARVision 4000 excimer lasers before the first patient arrives. He continuously re-calibrates the equipment throughout the day to ensure its accuracy.

    On the day of your surgery, you should arrive about half an hour before your appointment. Dress comfortably.

    Step by Step:

    • After your eye has been numbed with local “eye drop” anesthesia, Dr. Boothe gently places an eyelid speculum to hold your eyelids open. You will remain awake and comfortable throughout the procedure.
    • Dr. Boothe will then begin the first step of any LASIK procedure by creating a corneal flap. A Hansatome microkeratome (a surgical blade) is used to create the corneal flap in traditional LASIK. For IntraLASIK, the IntraLase FS laser is used in lieu of the microkeratome for this first step.
    • The flap will be pulled back gently from the center of the cornea to allow the excimer laser access to the underlying tissue.
    • To begin the second step of the LASIK or IntraLASIK procedure, Dr. Boothe will ask you to look at a target light. The cool light of the excimer laser will reshape the corneal tissue, correcting your vision as you look into this light. You will hear clicking sounds as each microscopic layer of tissue is vaporized. Every excimer laser system Dr. Boothe uses for laser vision correction has an eye tracker that ensures the accurate placement of each laser pulse. This process will last from a few seconds to a minute, depending on the amount of correction necessary.
    • When the procedure is complete, Dr. Boothe will meticulously replace the corneal flap and gently smooth it into place.
    • You will be given medicated eye drops, and instructed in their use.

    You may notice that your vision will be a little blurry immediately following your LASIK or IntraLASIK procedure. This bluriness will gradually clear in the next few hours. We suggest that someone drive you home so that you may relax for a while. Once you arrive home, it is preferable that you stay awake and continuously put in artificial tears to keep your eyes moist.

    You may watch TV or read as long as you continue to wet them frequently every five to ten minutes. It is important to avoid wind or any type of air turbulence that would cause your eyes to dry out.

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