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Laser Eye Surgery
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Laser eye surgery is a medical procedure that aims to alleviate the visual problems associated with long-sightedness, short-sightedness, astigmatism, and in certain cases, keratoconus. These conditions can have a major impact on a person’s daily life and may cause them to rely on others for assistance. To maintain good eyesight, patients often have to rely on glasses or contact lenses.
Having poor eyesight can significantly decrease one’s quality of life and wearing glasses or contact lenses to correct it can be uncomfortable. In the past, glasses were the only option for those with poor visual acuity, but the introduction of contact lenses provided an alternative. However, changing lenses can be difficult and may cause side effects such as infections. Laser eye surgery has seen significant technological advancements in the last 20-25 years, making it a safe and permanent alternative to glasses or contact lenses for those with visual problems such as long-sightedness, short-sightedness, astigmatism, and keratoconus.
What is Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser eye surgery, also known as refractive surgery, is a procedure designed to help people who have been wearing prescription glasses or contact lenses for an extended period of time. These individuals may want to discontinue their use of glasses or contact lenses due to physical or emotional reasons. Laser eye surgery involves using a laser or other surgical intervention to correct vision problems such as myopia (long sight), hyperopia (short sight), and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea – the transparent layer that filters light. This results in clearer vision and improved focusing for the patient, freeing them from the need to wear corrective lenses.
Is Laser Eye Surgery Safe?
Many people are naturally concerned about the safety of laser eye surgery. However, it has been over 30 years since the introduction of laser eye surgery, and millions of people worldwide have successfully undergone the procedure. Advanced laser technology now allows the laser to automatically recognize and follow the patient’s eye throughout the treatment. Additionally, eye correction can be personalized to the individual, minimizing the risk of complications. In fact, the risk of complications in laser eye surgery is extremely low, with less than one percent of cases reporting any issues. There have been no cases of serious vision loss or blindness caused by laser eye surgery. Overall, laser eye surgery has been proven to be safe and successful.
Who Can Have Laser Eye Surgery?
For successful and safe laser eye surgery, it is important to identify suitable candidates. People over the age of 18 are the most appropriate candidates, as they have completed their eye development and are less likely to experience changes in their vision. However, patients with corneal thickness, astigmatism, hyperopia, myopia, scars, and stains on the cornea layer can also be considered suitable for laser eye surgery. Additionally, patients who have had cataract surgery and those with a tear in their retina can undergo the procedure after meeting certain preconditions. It is important to note that pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should not undergo laser eye surgery. A doctor’s advice and a thorough examination procedure are necessary to determine whether someone is a suitable candidate for laser eye surgery. Therefore, anyone who is over 18 years old, wears glasses or contact lenses, has no discomfort such as keratoconus or eye pressure, and has not experienced changes in their vision for at least a year can be considered as a potential candidate for laser eye surgery after a thorough examination by a specialist physician.
What are Types of Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser eye surgery is a procedure that reshapes the cornea to improve vision without the need for lens exchange. The most common types of laser eye surgery are LASIK, LASEK, and No Touch Laser, also known as Trans PRK.
No Touch Laser (Trans PRK) is a suitable method for those who do not like the feeling of contact. In this method, there is no need to scrape the anterior wall of the eye, and it is suitable for people with myopia, astigmatism, hyperopia and appropriate eye structure.
LASIK involves using a special cutting laser to reshape the cornea to improve vision.
i-LASIK (IntraLaze Lasik Excimer Laser) is another type of laser eye surgery that eliminates visual defects such as hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism. This method uses a femtosecond laser beam to create a valve, without the use of a blade.
Here are some bulleted points highlighting the advantages and disadvanteges of laser eye surgery:
Advantages
- Quick and relatively painless procedure
- Can correct a range of vision problems such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism
- Minimal recovery time, with most patients returning to their daily activities within a day or two
- Eliminates the need for glasses or contact lenses in many cases, reducing the cost and inconvenience of corrective eyewear
- High success rate, with most patients achieving 20/20 vision or better
- Long-lasting results, with the effects of the surgery often lasting for many years
- Safe and well-established procedure, with advancements in technology and techniques leading to improved outcomes and fewer complications
Disadvantages
Risk of complications: Laser eye surgery is a delicate procedure, and there is always a risk of complications. In some cases, patients may experience dry eyes, glare, halos, or double vision, which can be difficult to manage.
Not suitable for everyone: Laser eye surgery is not suitable for everyone. Patients with certain eye conditions or high prescriptions may not be eligible for the procedure.
Dependence on corrective lenses may persist: Some patients may still need to wear glasses or contact lenses after laser eye surgery, particularly for reading or driving at night.
Not always successful: While laser eye surgery has a high success rate, there is still a chance that the procedure may not achieve the desired results, and the patient may require additional procedures or alternative treatments.
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Treatment
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Process
Before undergoing laser eye surgery, patients who use hard contact lenses should stop using them for at least 3 weeks, while those who use soft contact lenses should stop using them for at least 1 week prior to the surgery. On the day of the surgery, patients should wear comfortable clothes and avoid wearing makeup or perfume.
During the laser eye surgery procedure, the patient lies on their back on a laser bed in the laser room. A sterile drape is placed over the eye, and a special apparatus is used to keep the eyelids open to prevent blinking during the treatment. The laser treatment lasts for approximately 4-5 minutes per eye, and the patient should not experience any pain or discomfort. It is important for the patient to follow the doctor’s instructions and remain comfortable throughout the treatment. After the procedure is completed, the patient’s eyes are not bandaged and they can leave the laser room.
After Surgery
After completing the laser treatment, the patient is required to wait for around 40 minutes and then undergo a post-operative examination before leaving the hospital. The patient may experience blurred vision, stinging, burning, and watering in the eyes for about 3 to 4 hours after the surgery
It is important to follow the doctor’s recommendations for medication and take painkillers that do not thin the blood if a headache is felt. On the day of the surgery, it is not advisable to drive or go to work, and exposure to dusty environments should be avoided. The patient should refrain from rubbing, scratching, touching, washing or bathing the eyes during the first 24 hours, and care should be taken not to get soap and shampoo in the eyes during the first few days. The next day, the patient can resume their daily activities without any significant side effects. If the physician detects any anomalies in the surface of the eye or under the flap during the follow-up examination, washing the flap may be necessary. The doctor may recommend using eye drops for approximately 3 to 6 months after the surgery.
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FAQ
Laser eye surgery is a surgical procedure that uses a laser to reshape the cornea, the clear front part of the eye, to correct refractive errors and improve vision.
The most common types of laser eye surgery are LASIK, PRK, and SMILE.
The actual laser treatment usually takes less than a minute per eye, but the entire procedure, including preparation and recovery, can take a few hours.
Most patients do not experience pain during laser eye surgery, but they may feel some pressure or discomfort.
The recovery period after laser eye surgery can vary from a few days to several weeks, depending on the type of procedure and the patient’s individual healing time.
Laser eye surgery is generally safe, but like any surgical procedure, there are risks and potential complications. It is important to discuss these risks with your eye surgeon before undergoing the procedure.
Not everyone is a good candidate for laser eye surgery. Factors that may affect eligibility include age, eye health, and prescription strength. It is important to undergo a thorough eye exam and discuss your options with a qualified eye surgeon.
While laser eye surgery can reduce or eliminate the need for corrective lenses, some patients may still require glasses or contacts for certain activities, such as reading or driving at night.