How LASIK Works

While LASIK is one of the more commercialized terms, it is actually just one of many procedures that fall under the broader category of Laser Vision Correction (LVC). Most often when someone tells you they have had LASIK, they may have actually had one of the many similar procedures available. No single vision correction procedure is best; each has its benefits and drawbacks. Our expertise in vision correction ensures that we can craft a treatment plan specific to your unique optics, medical history, occupational and lifestyle needs to deliver outstanding results every time.

How the eye sees images

Understanding how we see is important to understanding how vision correction works. When we look at an image, light passes through the outer most part of the eye called the cornea. From there, the light passes through our lens. The lens is the portion of the eye that is responsible for focusing on objects, either in the distance or up close. As we age it loses its ability to focus resulting in the need for reading glasses. Finally, this image is projected onto the retina, which transmits the image to the brain via the optic nerve. Imperfections in vision can be caused by any three of these functions (cornea, lens, and retina).

What LASIK Corrects

Most vision correction aims to perfect the image entering the eye by reshaping the surface of the cornea. Imperfections in our vision are known as refractive errors. There are three types of refractive errors: nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Myopia
Myopic eye seeing objects

Commonly known as nearsightedness, this occurs when the cornea is steeply curved. Light focuses in front of the retina, resulting in blurry distance vision. Myopia is the most common refractive error. A steeper cornea will result in distance vision becoming blurrier. Typically, a patient’s cornea will not change and myopia does not worsen with age.

Hyperopia
Hyperopic eye seeing objects

Commonly known as farsightedness, this occurs when the cornea is very flat. Images focus behind the retina, resulting in blurry vision of objects up close. People often confuse this with presbyopia, which occurs with age; the natural eye's loss of the ability to focus on objects up close. Treatment of presbyopia requires reading glasses and is very different then hyperopia, which does not occur with age.

Astigmatism
Astigmatic eye seeing objects

Astigmatism refers to an irregular shape of the cornea. One of the most common vision correction myths is that astigmatism cannot be corrected. This is simply not true! The irregular shape causes light to appear distorted to the retina, rendering one’s vision blurry. Patients that have astigmatism will typically also have either hyperopia, or myopia. In fact, most patients we treat have some amount of astigmatism.

See LASIK in action

Watch a LASIK procedure from start-to-vision.

Our Advanced Laser Technology

Our Advanced Laser Technology

Zeiss Visumax The world’s most advanced all-laser LASIK

Zeiss Visumax Laser

LASIK treatment is a two-step process. Before an excimer laser can reshape the eye (to correct vision) a small thin flap is created using a laser or blade. Laser Eye Institute only offers all-laser-LASIK and uses the word’s most advanced laser, Zeiss Visumax, in the flap creation process. Visumax is unmatched in safety, accuracy, and speed; resulting in the safer, more comfortable all-laser-LASIK.

Zeiss Visumax Laser
Animation of Zeiss Visumax treatment
Patient being treated by Zeiss Visumax Laser
With a pulse rate of 500hz it is the fastest available. A quicker pulse makes procedures safer and more accurate. By reducing the amount of time the eye is exposed, it greatly reduces the chances of complication.
The surface of the human eye is curved. Thus, the VisuMax patient interface that touches the eye is curved too. It’s the only laser with a curved interface (all others are flat), reducing the amount of discomfort during the procedure.
By using a very narrow low energy beam, VisuMax is able to create precise flaps with unmatched level of accuracy resulting in predictable outcomes.
As part of our commitment to offering the absolute best for our patients we were honored to be the first LASIK center in Michigan to begin using the VisuMax in 2014.

Wavelight EX500 Personalized treatments, exceptional results.

Alcon Wavelight EX500  Laser

Our Wavelight EX500 laser platform from Alcon delivers safe treatments with excellent outcomes. The EX500 is an Excimer laser system that gently reshapes the surface of the eye using cool laser pulses. Offering wavefront optimized treatment profile and topography guided treatment Wavelight LASIK delivers exceptional results that even outperforms glasses and contacts.

A 22,000 point unique eye map is used to craft a treatment that precisely corrects individual defects in optics. Contoura treatments result in better vision than contacts or glasses.
Allows for eye tracking 1,050 times per second across four axes using five sensors. It positions the laser to ensure accuracy and does not require you to hold your eye still like other non-tracking lasers.
The Wavelight EX500's advanced technology enables it to treat a wide range of eyes including: Myopia, Hyperopia, and Astigmatism; even those who may not have qualified for LASIK in the past with older technology.
Dr. Haddad is a national leader in Laser Vision Correction and has performed more SMILE Laser Vision Correction procedures, ranking him #1 in the United States.

Wavelight EX500 Personalized LASIK, exceptional results.

Our Wavelight EX500 laser platform from Alcon delivers safe treatments with excellent outcomes. The EX500 is an Excimer laser system that gently reshapes the surface of the eye using cool laser pulses. Offering wavefront optimized treatment profile and topography guided treatment Wavelight LASIK delivers exceptional results that even outperforms glasses and contacts.

Contoura map of the eye
VISX Wavescan Device
Alcon Wavelight EX500 Laser

Zeiss MEL80 8th generation wavefront laser

Zeiss MEL80 Laser

The 8th generation MEL80 is the most recent LASIK laser to become available in the US. Zeiss has been building optics, cameras, and lenses since 1846; their expertise in optics (which other lasers use) result in an extremely precise and accurate laser, particularly in patients with higher corrections.

Zeiss MEL80 Laser
Animation of Zeiss MEL80 Laser treatment
Zeiss MEL80 Treatment map
With the widest FDA approval for treatment of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism patients who may have not been a candidate for LASIK in the past can now have vision correction.
The MEL80 uses an extremely small beam allowing the laser to treat the specific area requiring correction. The treatment algorithm uses this small beam size to accurately treat high prescriptions.
With an extremely focused laser beam, the VisuMax has the lowest energy laser for safe and precise flaps in just a few seconds.
Laser Eye Institute was the first LASIK center to make the Zeiss MEL80 available in 2014.

LASIK STEP-BY-STEP

STEP 1 Consultation

Our consultations are complimentary and take around two hours. Dr. Haddad or Dr. Rautio will meet with you and determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK and your best treatment plan.

STEP 2 Pre-Testing

A few days before treatment, we double-check every measurement. Our doctors review all initial measurements and explain treatment day step-by-step.

STEP 3 Treatment Day

The big day! Although treatment takes just a few minutes you’ll be here a few hours, so plan on taking the day off work. We give you a mild sedative, so you’ll also need someone to drive you home.

1 DAY After LASIK

The "WOW" day. Most patients drive themselves and are able to return to work. We'll have you avoid anything that may accidentally injure your eyes.

1 WEEK After LASIK

A quick 10 minute visit to track your healing. We typically lift most restrictions but still want you to be careful doing a few things while your eyes continue heal.

1 MONTH After LASIK

Enjoy your great vision. We’ll continue to see you for quick visits to monitor your healing, all your visits for two years are included with every procedure.

See LASIK in action

Available Treatments

LASIK
LASIK treatment video preview

LASIK is a type of refractive surgery for the correction of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. During LASIK a microscopic, protective flap is created to access the inner cornea. Then, laser light is used to gently reshape the surface of the cornea to alter its focusing power and improve your vision. Lastly, the protective flap is repositioned to protect the eye and aid in healing. For most patients, their vision improves immediately after treatment.

PRK
PRK treatment video preview

PRK or LASEK is similar to LASIK but uses a different method to expose the cornea for laser treatment. In LASEK, instead of a flap the surface of the eye is treated with an alcohol solution and then laser treatment is applied. A bandage contact lens is placed over the eye afterwards to promote healing and provide protection, instead of a flap. Vision improves gradually after LASEK and the bandage contact lens is removed after about one week.

SMILE
SMILE treatment video preview

SMILE, while related to LASIK, works differently. Treatment is instead applied slightly below the surface of the eye. This method is even less invasive than LASIK and overall a gentler procedure. SMILE offers faster recovery with less down-time. Patients who did not qualify for LASIK may now qualify for SMILE. Dr. Haddad was the first surgeon in Michigan to perform SMILE in 2017 and is one of only two doctors to offer SMILE in Michigan.

Next Steps
Learn more about our procedures and services.