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Laser Eye Surgery
For Tampa Bay, FL
At St. Michael’s Eye & Laser Institute, we perform LASIK and epi-LASIK eye surgery to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism—the three main types of refractive errors. Countless patients from communities throughout Tampa Bay now enjoy improved vision as a result of our skill and experience with laser eye surgery.
Both LASIK and Epi-LASIK are safe outpatient procedures that work by reshaping the cornea so that it creates clear, focused images. Our surgeons perform laser eye surgery while patients are awake and reclining. At the start of a procedure, a surgeon applies anesthetic drops to numb the eyes and places a lid speculum over each eye to keep them open during the surgery. Once the eyes are prepared, the surgeon uses a high-precision laser to create a flap in the surface of the cornea. The flap is lifted and folded back so the surgeon can direct the laser into the cornea, sculpting the tissue and removing cells according to the patient’s prescription. The surgeon then places the flap back into position to act like a bandage that allows for accelerated healing.
LASIK Vs. Epi-LASIK
In both procedures, a surgeon must create a flap in the cornea, but in epi-LASIK, the flap is thinner. Because epi-LASIK is less invasive, healing time is shorter and post-operative pain is typically milder. Epi-LASIK also provides more stability for the cornea, making the procedure a better option for athletes or patients in professions that put them at risk of receiving blows to the eye. People who have thin corneas with insufficient tissue for a good LASIK flap may also be good candidates for epi-LASIK surgery.
What Results To Expect
Most patients who have laser eye surgery achieve 20/20 vision or better, which works well for most activities. Keep in mind, however, that you may still eventually need glasses for driving at night or reading.
Equipped with state-of-the-art lasers, our facility in Largo, Florida, has maintained a 100% success rate with LASIK eye surgery. But is LASIK at St. Michael’s Eye & Laser Institute the right option for you?
To determine which type of laser surgery can offer you a better outcome, we encourage you to schedule a no-obligation consultation with us. One of our experienced ophthalmologists will talk to you about your medical history and perform a full eye exam that may include tests to measure the thickness of your cornea, refraction, and eye pressure. Contact us today to make an appointment.
