Referents Section Fr

The ULTRALASIK surgery

At the IRIS Ophthalmology Clinic, ULTRALASIK means the optimization of all the technologies used in the process of refractive laser surgery also known as LASIK.

LASIK surgery at IRIS is the combination of a cut made with a latest generation laser and a laser treatment tailored to your eyes.

ULTRALASIK surgery helps to correct, to the closest micrometre, imperfections in the shape of the eye by pulverizing the thin layers of cells on the surface of the cornea. Also known as LASIK, this refractive surgery is able to correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

The stages of LASIK surgery

LASIK is the most common laser treatment with the shortest recovery period. LASIK is a procedure lasting only a few minutes, completely painless. A topical anesthetic in the form of drops is instilled before the operation. These drops anesthetize the surface of the eye to make the procedure comfortable. The local anesthesia lasts about thirty minutes, which gives the ophthalmologist time to perform LASIK surgery.

LASIK surgery is divided into two stages. A first laser is used to cut a thin lamella called flap on the surface of the eye. Although the surgery is painless, you will feel pressure on your eye during this first stage of the surgery. Creating the thin lamella with the FemtoSecond laser requires about fifteen seconds. To do this, the ophthalmologist must flatten the cornea using a single-use instrument, hence the feeling of pressure on the eye during this stage of the surgery.

Subsequently, this lamella is raised at the surface of the eye and a second laser, the SCHWIND AMARIS 750S laser, is applied to the underlying layer of the cornea. During this stage of the surgery, the ophthalmologist will ask you to stare at a green light for a few seconds. The SCHWIND AMARIS 750S laser is so fast that it only takes a few seconds per eye to perform the refractive treatment.

A variant of refractive laser surgery called PRK is surface laser ablation which may be an alternative when ULTRALASIK surgery is contraindicated.

It is possible to read in detail the different stages of refractive laser surgery in our information guide on laser surgery.

 

The technology used for laser operations at IRIS

At the IRIS Ophthalmology Clinic, we have the latest generation of the SCHWIND AMARIS 750S laser. For a “wow” effect, thanks to the “Smart Pulse” technology, this laser has an ablation speed two to three times faster than traditional technologies, for a very short treatment time and almost immediate visual recovery.

UNDERSTANDING ULTRALASIK SURGERY

Watch the following informative videos to understand how corneal laser surgery corrects vision defects.

Correction by corneal laser surgery.

How it works!

The stages of laser surgery.

Ten-minute surgery for both eyes!

Frequently asked questions

Am I a good candidate for lasik surgery?

To be a good candidate for laser surgery, you must be over the age of 18 and your vision needs to have stabilized for at least 12 months. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you will need to wait 3 months after the breastfeeding period to give the hormones a chance to return to normal. To confirm your candidacy, our team will take measurements of your eyes and ensure that you meet all the important criteria. Among the elements analyzed, some are decisive. Corneal thickness, corneal topographies (the analysis the shape of your cornea), retina examination and general corneal health (no scars or abnormalities) are some of the factors checked and measured during your preoperative evaluation, which lasts approximately 2 hours.

To maximize your chances of having laser surgery, make sure your eyesight is stable and your eye is healthy.

How long does the laser operation take at IRIS?

LASIK surgery is very fast. With the SCHWIND AMARIS 750S laser, we are able to operate at a speed of one diopter for every 1.3 seconds. This means that for a myopic patient of -4.00, the laser treatment time would be of approximately 5.2 seconds.

 

Here are some advantages of using a very fast laser:

– Allows less time for the cornea to dry out, making the laser beam more effective on the treatment area

– Allows patients to stay briefly under the laser for a more pleasant experience.

What should I do in the hours following the surgery?

Once the procedure is complete, a nurse will guide you to a darker room where you will keep your eyes closed for about fifteen minutes.

 

Thereafter, you will be allowed to your leave and will be able to go home with the person who will provide your transportation. It is normal for you to gradually start to feel a tingling sensation as the anesthetic loses its effect. This feeling, which resembles that of having a grain of sand in the eye, can last a few hours after surgery. Although unpleasant, this sensation is completely normal and will go away on its own.

 

Our best advice for you is to lie down, rest, put on your lubricating drops every hour and avoid rubbing your eyes.

How is the vision after ULTRALASIK?

Immediately after laser eye surgery, your vision will be good enough to walk to the car and let you drive home.

 

From the first hours after LASIK surgery, it is normal to have blurred vision for the rest of the day. The next day, most patients regain adequate visual quality that allows them to drive to the clinic for follow-up. We still advise you to ask someone to be available the next day in case you are not comfortable driving yourself.

 

You may experience episodes of more blurred vision during the full recovery period which lasts for 3 months. Rest assured, your eyes are healing. Sometimes all it takes is a few artificial tears to give you a little boost.

 

If you have surface ablation (PRK) surgery, your vision will be blurrier until the end of the first week. If PRK is the safest option for your eyes, schedule a companion for follow-up the next day and plan to take a week off work.

Is the lamella (flap) on the surface of the eye solid?

Scarring (fibrosis) begins immediately after surgery. Although it is solid, it is important to put the odds in your favor by avoiding rubbing your eyes for the first few days after your operation.

 

Protective shells will be provided for the first few nights to prevent you from doing this inadvertently.

How long does it take to recover after laser eye surgery?

It normally only takes a few hours to recover from laser surgery. Your vision returns quickly and you are functional rapidly after your laser surgery.

 

On the other hand, it’s only after three months from the date of the operation that we can state that the surgery has completely healed.

When can I return to work after surgery?

If your job does not involve major risks for your eyes, you could return to work the day after LASIK surgery.

 

Certain sectors of activity that are very dusty and present risks of foreign bodies going into the eyes (ex.: carpenters) could require a few more days off. Do not hesitate to ask the ophthalmologist who will operate on you how long should you not work based on your specific to your situation.

What happens if I move during surgery?

LASIK surgery is very safe. During laser eye treatment, comfortable eyelid retractors will prevent you from blinking. Most patients do not realize that they cannot perform this action during the surgery.

 

The SCHWIND AMARIS 750S laser has an imaging system that follows the movements of your eye in 6 dimensions, 1000 times per second. If your eye moves too much or has difficulty staring, the laser detects it and stops automatically. However, the refractive laser treatment is so fast that it rarely needs to be interrupted.

When can make-up be applied after ULTRALASIK?

It is recommended to wait a week after LASIK surgery to put on makeup.

Can I see what happens during LASIK surgery?

Lights must be fixed during two of the main stages of the surgery: during the creation of the thin lamella by the FemtoSecond laser (white lights) and during the refractive treatment by the SCHWIND AMARIS 750S laser (green light).

 

It is impossible to visually detect what is happening during the manual steps performed by the ophthalmologist. You will perceive some shadows, but nothing more.

Can I blink during the laser operation?

No, since the ophthalmologist performs the surgery using comfortable eyelid retractors that prevent blinking. As your eye is anesthetized, it does not feel dry eye. In addition, the eye is kept hydrated throughout the procedure.

Will my eyes be blindfolded after LASIK surgery?

No. However, to protect you from the sun and bad weather, you will be given a pair of sunglasses. It is recommended that you wear these goggles for the first few days after your surgery outdoors to protect yourself from airborne foreign bodies.

Can both my eyes be operated on the same day?

Yes, most patients have both eyes operated on the same day. In rare cases, the ophthalmologist may choose to operate on both eyes a week apart. It should be noted that some patients need surgery in one eye only.

Will I need glasses after surgery?

You won’t need prescription glasses until your mid-40s. It is between the ages of 40 and 50 that the natural lens of the eye loses its elasticity and does its focusing job less and less well. During this period, you will gradually have more and more difficulty reading up close. This is called presbyopia.

 

There are other types of procedures that can correct presbyopia permanently, such as intraocular lens surgeries.

How much does laser surgery cost?

We believe that everyone is entitled to a tailor-made treatment, regardless of their prescription, as long as all the criteria are met to confirm their good candidacy. This is why, at the IRIS Ophthalmology Clinic, laser eye surgery is offered at the same price for everyone. This rate is non-taxable and can be deducted as a medical expense. Many patients can also submit their bill to an insurance company. Many people can also get a discount through the IRIS advantage program.

 

Do not hesitate to contact us by phone at 450 688-6574 so that a member of the coordination can give you the price in person.

Click here to download our surgical preparation guides

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT FOR A CONSULTATION!

Contact
US