Arizona LASIK Eye Surgery

At the Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center in Arizona, LASIK eye surgery has quickly become one of the most commonly requested refractive surgeries. Patients enjoy lasting results, a relatively short healing period, and a dramatically reduced or even eliminated dependence on glasses and contact lenses.

To understand more about LASIK click below to view our informative 3D-Eye Online video!

How LASIK Eye Surgery Works

In a normal eye, light enters through the clear cornea at the front of the eye and is bent by the lens so that it focuses to a single point on the retina, or back surface of the eyeball. The light is then interpreted by receptor cells on the retina and transferred to the brain, where the transmitted information is seen as images.

If the eye is too short or too long, light cannot focus properly on the retina and the patient is said to have hyperopia (farsightedness) or myopia (nearsightedness). One way to help the eye to focus light more effectively is to make small changes to the shape of the cornea. Our Arizona doctors accomplish this with LASIK eye surgery; to correct farsightedness, the cornea is steepened, while nearsightedness is treated by flattening the cornea.

back to top

The LASIK Procedure

When you visit one of our Arizona offices to discuss LASIK eye surgery with an ophthalmologist, the doctor will measure the amount of refractive error in each of your eyes, as well as the thickness of your cornea, before determining whether you are a good candidate for LASIK. Patients with corneas that are too thin may not be eligible to undergo LASIK; instead, another type of eye surgery such as PRK or implantable lenses may be the best choice.

On the day of your procedure, you will need to bring someone with you so you can be driven home after surgery. The doctor may administer a relaxant before numbing your eye in preparation for surgery. The first step of LASIK eye surgery is to create a thin flap in the cornea. Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center only performs bladeless LASIK procedures. Using a laser to create the corneal flap minimizes the risk of flap-related complications; in addition, this advancement allows patients with thin corneas to successfully undergo LASIK surgery.

After the flap has been created and lifted away from the cornea, your surgeon will position the excimer laser directly over your eye and a computer will control precise pulses of the laser to accurately remove small amounts of corneal tissue. Once the corneas are shaped properly, the surgery is completed by replacing the flap over the treated area.

After LASIK Surgery

Because stitches are not required to hold the flap in place, the doctor will instead place a protective shield over the eye or eyes treated. Until the flap has healed, you will need to wear these shields to help ensure quick and complete healing. Almost all of our Arizona patients report mild discomfort after LASIK eye surgery, with symptoms such as itchy, burning, or watery eyes. This is completely normal and should lessen in the days following surgery. During your follow-up appointment a day or two after LASIK, your doctor will give you specific care instructions and a timeline for resuming normal activities.

LASIK Technology

The quality of LASIK eye surgery depends heavily on the expertise and experience of the surgeons performing the procedure, as well as the quality of equipment used.

IntraLase®

The IntraLase® laser eliminates the need for a microkeratome, providing our patients with what is known as "blade-free" or "all-laser" LASIK eye surgery. If you are a good candidate for the procedure, your doctor can use the IntraLase® laser to create the corneal flap needed for LASIK. Read more about IntraLase®.

ALLEGRETTO WAVE®

The ALLEGRETTO WAVE® laser is one of the most advanced excimer lasers available nationwide, and Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center is proud to offer this cutting-edge technology. LASIK eye surgery performed with the ALLEGRETTO WAVE® laser is faster and more precise than ever before. This laser also allows the surgeon to customize your treatment and minimize post-surgery side effects such as halos and glare at night. Read more about the ALLEGRETTO WAVE® laser.

Contact Us for a LASIK Eye Surgery Consultation

If you live in Arizona and have been considering LASIK eye surgery, contact Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center to schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable doctors. Find out how you can improve your vision for a lifetime – without contact lenses or glasses!

back to top

Contact one of our Arizona locations to learn more about the benefits of LASIK eye surgery.