Laser eye surgery is a surgical procedure that utilizes LASER beam (light amplification by stimulation emission of radiation) to treat the refractive errors, near sightedness and far sightedness in patients. Laser surgery for correction of refractive errors is also termed as LASIK which stands for Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.
What is the principle behind a laser eye surgery ?
The basic principle behind the use of laser in correction of refractive errors is by modifying the size of the cornea thereby improving the vision. For instance in a patient with far sighted eye sight, the laser eye surgery procedure will steepen the cornea and in patients with near sightedness it flattens the cornea to improve the eye sight. It is also used in patients with Astigmatism to correct the irregularities of the cornea.
When is a laser eye surgery indicated?
A laser eye surgery is indicated for the following conditions.
- Near sightedness (Myopia)
- Far sightedness (Hypermetropia)
- Astigmatism (blurred vision)
When is a laser eye surgery not advised?
Laser eye surgery is not indicated in individuals with ;
- High refractive errors or high near and far eye powers as this may required bulk shaping and removal of the cornea
- Abnormalities in the shape and curvature of cornea
- Patients who have symptoms of dryness, redness, burning and frequent tearing from the eyes
- Patients who have thin corneas
- Previous history of any ophthalmologic procedures
- Old age
What are the types of laser eye surgery ?
There are primarily 2 types of laser eye surgery:
- Custom surface which utilizes only one laser to reshape the cornea to correct the vision
- LASIK- or laser assisted in situ keratomileusis where a flap of cornea is reflected then the deeper part of the cornea is corrected to improve the vision. Earlier a blade was used to reflect the cornea flap, nowadays a laser called as the femtosecond laser is used to reflect the corneal flap. The laser used for the deeper portion of the cornea is an advanced laser (Excimer laser). There are modification in the LASIK procedures such as wave front-optimized LASIK, wave front guided LASIK apart from the conventional procedure. Ask your healthcare provider for a detailed information on the same.
How do you know if laser eye surgery is suitable for you?
If you are experiencing difficulty in your vision due to refractive errors and are tired of wearing spectacles and contact lenses, contact your ophthalmologist to know if you are a suitable candidate for a laser eye surgery or not. The consultant specialist will conduct a thorough examination of eye and its related parts such as the cornea, the iris, the retina and the pupil. The specialist will also check for the type of refractive error and if you have other eye abnormalities. If on complete examination the specialist feels that a laser eye surgery will improve your vision and your day to day lifestyle, ask the specialist about the longetivity and success of the procedure before getting a laser eye surgery done.
How is a laser eye surgery done?
A laser eye surgery done is mostly done as a day-care procedure where the patient will be asked to get admitted on the day of the procedure and will be discharged by the same day evening. The procedure usually takes about half an hour. Local anaesthetic eye drops are administered to numb the eye before the start of the procedure. The operating surgeon will then reflect a part of your cornea with the help of a blade (microkeratome) or a laser followed by which the cornea will be shaped as required and the reflected flap will be closed. The operating surgeon might position a shield or a cover for the operated eye to prevent it from any manual irritation.
What is the care to be taken after laser eye surgery ?
The patient is advised not to rub the eyes after the procedure even if there is slight itching as it may tamper the outcome of the procedure. The doctor might ask you to use certain eye drops to ease the discomfort and some non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs to ease the pain. Your vision might become hazy or starry after the procedure; these problems improve over about a week’s time. The first visit after procedure is usually within 24hrs to check for any complications and recovery after the procedure. Ask your doctor before you engage yourself at computer work, walking, running, sports and removing your spectacles or contact lenses.
What are the risks associated with a laser eye surgery ?
Laser eye surgery is not a major surgical procedure but may have certain risks or side effects associated with it, such as :
- Drastic change in vision after the procedure, such as over correction and under correction of sight
- Some patients still require use of contact lenses or spectacles after the procedure
- There might be slight aberrations in the vision in low light
- Dry eyes and redness in eyes may become severe in some cases
- Most severe and rare complication is loss of vision related to the procedure.
Is a re-treatment required in a laser eye surgery ?
Yes, if the refractive errors are not appropriately corrected in the first procedure a re-treatment might be required.
What is the outcome of a laser eye surgery ?
A laser eye surgery is a fairly common procedure performed nowadays to improve the refractive errors and improve aesthetics in patients who do not wish to wear spectacles. Though laser eye surgery is not indicated for all the eye problems, its success rates are well documented in literature. It is advised to ask your doctor about the details of the procedure along with risks and benefits associated with the procedure to identify if this could be the treatment of choice for you.
How to find eye surgeons for laser eye surgery ?
Now you can find eye surgeons for laser eye surgery from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions from multiple eye surgeons, get cost estimates for laser eye surgery from different eye hospitals, compare things and then choose a eye surgeon for laser eye surgery.
Find and choose a eye surgeon for laser eye surgery on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
