A Patient's Guide to LASIK Surgical Instruments: What to Expect?

Did you know that over 20 million people have undergone LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)?

That’s truly a large number opting for the procedure to correct their visual refractive errors, but they are scared of the sharp instruments and types of equipment used by ophthalmologists. The occurrence of surgical errors is another fear.

If your eye specialist has also recommended LASIK, and now you want to know more about the equipment used during the procedure, we’ve got you covered!

Below, you’ll find different types of medical tools, equipment, and instruments used to perform this delicate ophthalmic surgery.

Let’s begin.

Directly jump to the overview table!

List of Surgical Instruments Used During LASIK Surgery

Here are the diagnosing surgery instruments that your eye surgeon may use during the procedure:

Diagnosing Surgical Instruments for LASIK

Pachymeter

A pachymeter measures the thickness of the cornea. It helps assess the patient’s suitability for the delicate procedure. This specialized instrument ensures that the patient’s cornea has sufficient thickness to withstand the laser rays.

What Will You Experience?

Your ophthalmologist will ask you to open your eyes and avoid blinking during the procedure. Next, they will use a pachymeter to gently touch your cornea to measure its thickness.

Surgical Microscope

Eye surgeons use this device to view and work on the cornea carefully.

The microscope is equipped with advanced optics and illumination systems. Its features allow for detailed examination and manipulation of the corneal tissues.

What Will You Experience?

You’ll be positioned on the reclined surgical bed or chair for diagnosing, and the head will be stabilized with optimal support to prevent movements. The pachymeter will be placed in a directory above your eye. The equipment will provide the medical professional with a magnified view.

Topographer

The corneal topographer maps the surface curvature of the cornea. This device provides a detailed topographic map showing irregularities and the overall shape of the cornea. This information helps customize the treatment to address specific corneal aberrations.

What Will You Experience?

The patient is seated in a machine with their chin resting on a support and their forehead against a bar to keep their head steady.

They will be instructed to focus on a light or target while the topographer takes images of the cornea.

Ocular Coherence Tomographer (OCT)

OCT is a noninvasive imaging technique. It provides cross-sectional images of the cornea and other ocular structures.

It allows the ophthalmologist to evaluate:

Corneal thickness
Integrity of the corneal layers
Other important anatomical details

What Will You Experience?

You’ll sit in front of the OCT machine with your head on a chin rest and forehead support.

The surgeon will align the machine with the eye and ask you to look at a specific light point.

The OCT will capture detailed images of the corneal layers.

Treatment Surgical Instruments for LASIK

Microkeratome

The microkeratome creates the corneal flap during LASIK surgery. This device features a blade or a set of blades that cuts a thin flap from the cornea’s surface. It also assists in lifting the flap to access underlying corneal stroma.

What Will You Experience?

Your surgeon will use a speculum to open your eyes and apply a microkeratome for precise cuts.

The patient’s eye is immobilized with the help of a high-quality suction ring.

Femtosecond Laser

Femtosecond laser uses rapid pulses of laser light to make precise cuts in the cornea. This will improve the accuracy and safety of flap creation. It allows for customization of the flap’s thickness, shape, and size.

What Will You Experience?

The patient’s head is stabilized on a headrest, and the eye is held open with a speculum.

A suction ring is applied to create a vacuum stabilizing the eye and preventing movement.

Excimer Laser

The excimer laser is the core instrument for the actual corneal reshaping in LASIK surgery. It uses ultraviolet light to remove microscopic amounts of corneal tissue precisely.

What Will You Experience?

The patient’s eye is held open using a speculum, and the head is supported on a stable platform. The patient is instructed to focus on a target or light while the laser reshapes the cornea.

Intraoperative Wavefront Analyzer

Intraoperative wavefront analyzers measure the eye’s optical aberrations in real time during surgery. This device helps the surgeon make real-time adjustments to the laser treatment based on the eye’s current optical aberrations.

What Will You Experience?

The patient is asked to remain still and focus on a designated point. The device captures data quickly while the patient remains in a fixed position.

Suction Ring

The suction ring stabilizes the eye and holds it in place during the LASIK procedure. It creates a vacuum on the cornea, which helps position the eye accurately and prevents movement during flap creation and laser treatment.

What Will You Experience?

The ring gently creates a vacuum on the cornea, which holds the eye in place and helps to keep it stable. The patient may experience a slight pressure sensation but is guided to remain still and follow the surgeon’s instructions.

Speculum

The speculum is an instrument used to keep the eyelids open during surgery. It is typically made of stainless steel or plastic and designed to be comfortable for the patient while providing optimal exposure to the cornea.

What Will You Experience?

The ring gently creates a vacuum on the cornea, which holds the eye in place and helps to keep it stable.

The patient may experience a slight pressure sensation but is guided to remain still and follow the surgeon’s instructions.

Overview of LASIK Surgical Instruments

Instrument	Type	Purpose
Surgical Microscope	Diagnostic	Provides high magnification and illumination for detailed examination and precise manipulation of the cornea.
Pachymeter	Diagnostic	Measures corneal thickness to determine suitability for LASIK and assess corneal health.
Topographer	Diagnostic	Maps the surface curvature of the cornea to guide customized treatment planning.
Ocular Coherence Tomographer (OCT)	Diagnostic	Provides cross-sectional images of the cornea for assessing thickness and anatomical details.
Microkeratome	Treatment	Creates the corneal flap by making precise cuts on the cornea’s surface.
Femtosecond Laser	Treatment	Creates the corneal flap with high precision using rapid laser pulses, reducing the risk associated with blade use.
Excimer Laser	Treatment	Reshapes the cornea by removing microscopic amounts of tissue to correct refractive errors.
Intraoperative Wavefront Analyzer	Treatment	Measures optical aberrations in real-time to adjust laser treatment for enhanced precision.
Suction Ring	Treatment	Stabilizes and holds the eye in place during flap creation and laser treatment.
Speculum	Treatment	Keeps the eyelids open and the eye stable throughout the procedure.