People with eye-related problems are becoming more and more interested in laser eye surgery and its benefits because this is known to be the most exciting ophthalmologic procedure.
To be more precise, this is a refractive eye surgery that can correct all types of refractive errors such as: astigmatism (distorted vision), myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness).
Even if the medicine offers various types of surgical techniques for correcting refractive errors, the laser eye surgery was labelled by the American Academy of Ophthalmology the most technically advanced and precise one.
The excimer laser was the first laser ever approved for eye surgery and it’s used to correct myopia. Now, this laser is used in two different procedures: Laser in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) and Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK).
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
The surgeon maps and measures the patient’s eye before the procedure in order to analyse the problem. Then, he uses a few local anesthetic eye drops and reshapes the cornea eliminating tiny amounts of tissue from the outer surface.
Next, the doctor uses an ultra violet beam of light and cuts notches the size of human hair. Each pulse of light can remove a 39 millionth of an inch of cornel tissue in only 12 billionths of a second.
According to same studies, only 5% of the patients still use permanent glasses after the surgery while 15% need visual aids only when driving.
Laser in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)
The LASIK procedure is more complicated than PRK but it’s a solution for solving all types of myopia.
The surgeon uses the Microkeratome to cut a corneal tissue flap in order to replace it. Everything depends on the doctor because with LASIK he has to make a very precise incision.
The patient only feels a little discomfort and sometimes an irritation but those won’t last too long. In most cases, the patients returned to their normal life in only two or three days.
With LASIK there can be only one side effect and that is occasional glare at night.
Anyway, everyone should know that even if the results are said to be permanent, the age can influence the final results and in some cases the doctor may even suggested re-surgery.
By: Ricky Lim
Posts Tagged ‘Refractive Errors’
How Laser Eye Surgery Works – Lasik and Photorefractive Eye Surgery
January 29th, 2010Laser Vision Correction Surgery
January 21st, 2010If you are considering Laser vision correction surgery or Lasik you should find a good, reputable surgeon. They will examine your eyes to determine if you need the surgery and how much laser ablation would be required.
Laser vision surgery is done on an outpatient basis meaning you will be in and out of the hospital or clinic the same day. A computer is used to adjust the laser and you will be instructed to gaze at a target. The laser will then reshape your cornea and you will not feel any pain. The procedure usually takes no more than 5 minutes but the results will last a lifetime.
As an alternative to wearing glasses or contact lenses, laser correction surgery is being chooses by many people now that did not have the option just a few years ago. Advances in laser technology are now helping people that have myopia and hyperopic.
Myopia or nearsightedness is when objects nearby are clear and faraway objects are blurry. Hyperopic is when objects nearby are blurry and far away objects are seen clearly. Astigmatism is when the objects are distorted due to an irregular shape of the eye. These conditions previously required glasses or contact lenses but now can be treated with laser vision correction surgery.
Everyone that wants this procedure done may not be good candidates for it. Laser vision correction surgery may not be available for people with certain diseases, both medical and ocular and patients with seriously high refractive errors that the laser cannot correct. Potential candidates also must be at least 18 years old. » Read more: Laser Vision Correction Surgery
Lasik Surgery – Seeing The World Like You Once Did
January 15th, 2010More and more people with vision problems are turning to LASIK to correct their vision. LASIK, which stands for Laser In Situ Keratomileusis is generally a safe, reliable and painless way to improve vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses. Thanks to new advances in laser technology, LASIK is the most commonly performed refractive surgery procedure that is used to correct refractive errors in the eye, such as moderate to high degrees of myopia or nearsightedness, hyperopia or farsightedness, and astigmatism or distorted vision.
LASIK helps change the shape of the cornea with the use of excimer laser. The knife that is used in the operation to remove a flap in the cornea is called microkeratome. There are several techniques that are employed to reshape the cornea. After the laser has reshaped the cornea, the flap is repositioned over the treatment area by the surgeon.
There are several advantages to this procedure: LASIK is considered as one of the greatest ophthalmologic breakthroughs in recent times. Many eye surgeons believe that even the most complicated refractive errors can be treated with the help of LASIK. This is a relatively simple procedure that allows a patient to go home right away after the operation and ensures a renewed vision within a week.
LASIK is an almost painless procedure with the use of anesthesia to the eye and the cornea. A very small number of patients have complained of little discomfort during surgery, much like a “scratchy feeling.” After the effect of anesthetic wears off, there is a varying degree of discomfort among the patients. But even if there is any irritation, it is usually minor and does not last beyond a few hours. However your eyes may be very sensitive to light for a few days. As LASIK is a relatively simple procedure, it can be performed at the clinic, instead of at a hospital. Most laser treatments do not take more than 15 to 40 seconds, depending on the degree of correction required. Recovery time is also minimal, and most patients are able to go back home after 30 minutes. Within 3 to 5 days following LASIK treatment, you will notice a dramatic improvement in your vision. LASIK treatment of your vision is more or less permanent. With age however some degree of re-treatment may become necessary.
Thus LASIK is a safe way of correcting your vision. So take advantage of this advancement in ophthalmology and start seeing the world like you once did with your new vision.
By: Susan Jan
