Lasik Flap is created in the cornea of the eye during a Lasik eye surgery to correct visual disorders such as Myopia, Hyperopia and Astigmatism.
Laser-assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, also known as LASIK, is a common refractive surgery that is used to improve eyesight. It reshapes the cornea (the front surface of the eye) in order to correct refractive errors, including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. LASIK is one of the most effective procedures available when it comes to vision correction. It permanently eliminates the need for prescription glasses or contact lenses.
Surgeons must first reshape the cornea to perform a successful laser eye procedure. As a result, this layer must be accessible to a laser eye surgeon. An incision in the outer corneal tissue is made, and the stroma is separated by a circular strip of corneal tissue to create a flap.
More often than not, people have queries regarding LASIK Flap. If you also have the same question, then continue reading this post.
In this post, we shall discuss everything about the LASIK Flap. Take a look…
What Is the LASIK Corneal Flap and How Does It Work?
The cornea is made up of multiple layers, the most outer of which is the epithelium, which is the most transparent layer. Underneath it is the stroma, which is the tissue that is reshaped during the LASIK eye surgery.
Using the epithelium and a small amount of stroma, the flap is generated in order to expose the deeper stroma, which is where laser treatment can be administered. The flap can be repositioned across the stroma following the surgery to get the desired result.
During the operation, the flap acts as a protective covering for the treated area, which helps to reduce disruption to treated tissue and optimize recovery following the procedure.
How Is the Flap Created?
The flap is created by making a circular incision on the surface of the cornea, leaving a small strip of the cornea unaffected in the process. The hinge for the flap is formed by the strip that has been left intact.
Once the flap has been produced, it is lifted and temporarily shifted across to the other side, exposing the underlying tissue. The laser treatment is then administered to the deeper corneal layer, which is more difficult to reach.
To ensure that no bubbles or wrinkles remain, the flap should be repositioned and smoothed over the treated area. Because the flap and the underlying tissue bind naturally to one another, no stitches are required to keep them together. Your surgeon will create the flap with the Intralase Femtosecond laser, which results in a bladeless LASIK treatment that is absolutely painless for the patient.
How long does it take for a LASIK flap to fully heal?
Flap healing after LASIK surgery begins nearly soon after the procedure is completed. Within a few days, the outer margins of the flap is sealed down in the epithelium. The deeper layers of the cornea will continue to anchor themselves more closely to the overlying flap gradually. All in all, the healing time for a full LASIK eye flap can range from a few weeks to many months.
If an individual has undergone Lasik surgery from a reputed Laser eye centre in Delhi, then the after-care facilities offered by the hospital also aids in the quick recovery of the Lasik Flap.
What are the Complications Associated with it?
Though most flaps heal without incident, there is always the possibility that things will not go as smoothly as intended. And following are the complications associated with LASIK Flap:
- Dislocation of the flap. It happens when the flap moves away from its intended location.
- Folds in the flap. LASIK Surgery may leave your flaps folded or creased.
- Ectopic epithelial proliferation. Epithelial cells from the outer cornea migrate under the flap and form a new layer.
- Lamellar Keratitis. An inflammation beneath the flap of skin on the cornea is called Lamellar Keratitis.
- Irregular astigmatism – uneven corneal shape
Pain, discomfort, moist eyes, and/or blurred vision are some of the symptoms of dislocation of flap post LASIK. If you experience any of these discomforts following your surgery, do visit your surgeon. Your surgeon will help you with various treatment options depending on your condition.
Tips for Post-Surgery
If you find any flap related issues post LASIK, fret not – just follow the tips below:
- Keep your eyes closed. First and foremost, keep the eyelids closed as much as possible for several hours following surgery to avoid any complications. This helps to reduce the disturbance of the cornea that happens with each blink.
- Do keep your eyes covered at night. You will be recommended to wear eye masks while sleeping, which will aid in the protection of your eyes at night. Make sure you wear eye masks without fail to avoid any complications.
- Avoid contact sports. You should refrain from participating in contact sports for the duration of the time prescribed by your doctor.
- Avoid massaging your eyes. Following LASIK, it is critical not to massage the eyes excessively. Doing so will hamper the healing process and also will increase the risk of flap dislocation.
- Follow the instructions. Make sure to adhere to your pre-and post-operative instructions, including any restrictions or medications prescribed. It will promote the healing of your eyes and avoid any risk associated with the LASIK flap.
Wrapping up…
The LASIK flap serves to shield the underlying tissue during the healing process, allowing for a more rapid and successful recovery. Following your pre-and post-operative instructions religiously can help you reduce the likelihood of flap dislocation.
Aside from that, it is also critical to choose a reputable eye clinic for your LASIK eye surgery. An experienced eye surgeon will leave no stone unturned to help you with the best surgery. A reputable eye surgeon knows everything about the complications associated with LASIK; hence, they make sure that your surgery is done with great precision so as to avoid any kind of problem or harm to your eyes.