Laser Eye Surgery: Types, Cost, Side Effects, and Lasik Treatment Benefits
Are you facing issues with your eyesight? You may require laser eye surgery which is often termed LASIK surgery. It may help correct various eyesight conditions. So, in this blog, we will discuss laser eye surgery. Its types, benefits, risks, and what can you expect from it.
What is Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser eye surgery is the treatment of vision correction or refractive surgery. With the use of a laser, the cornea is reshaped for better vision. Laser eye surgery is a painless treatment with maximum chances of successful results and involves fewer risks. It has been practiced since 1987 and is most commonly used to cure Farsightedness, Presbyopia, Near-sightedness and Astigmatism.
Today, eventually, you may find a lot of laser eye treatments available out there which aim at restructuring the corneal for better vision. Yet it’s very vital to know which one is best suited for you according to your medical condition.
What are the types of Laser Surgery?
As stated above, you can find various types of laser surgery aiming to restructure your corneal. But it’s important to know which one suit you best. Thus, here are a few most common types of Laser Eye Surgery available:
Laser In-situ Keratomileusis (Lasik):
LASIK, short for laser in-situ keratomileusis, is a widely used surgery that aims to correct nearsightedness (myopia) and astigmatism by flattening the cornea. During the procedure, a small flap is created in the cornea, and the exposed tissue is carefully removed using a laser. It is important to note that the laser’s precision ensures that nearby tissues remain undamaged.
Epithelial LASIK:
In this laser surgery, the epithelial sheet present inside the eye is removed by an oscillating blade. Afterwards, the expert uses a precise laser to reshape the cornea.
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK):
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a refractive surgery technique that utilizes laser technology to address vision problems caused by refractive errors. Refractive errors occur when the eye fails to properly bend or refract light. During PRK, an ophthalmologist employs a laser to modify the shape of the cornea, thereby enhancing the focusing of light rays onto the retina. This procedure is effective in treating myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. This procedure is most likely LASIK eye surgery. It uses a specialized laser to reshape the cornea, the dome-shaped front part of the eye, hence correcting the vision issues such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE):
SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction) eye surgery is a laser-based procedure designed to address nearsightedness and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea. This minimally invasive surgery involves the use of a laser to create a lenticule, which is a disc-shaped piece of tissue carved into the cornea. Additionally, a small incision, measuring less than 4 millimeters in length, is made to remove the lenticule. The reshaping of the cornea occurs through the removal of this tissue, ultimately changing its shape.
Laser-Assisted Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK):
Also known as LASEK surgery. It is just a variant of PRK in which, after providing anesthetic eye drops, a thin flap is cut out from the outer layer of the cornea. After which, same as PRK, an excimer laser is used. This procedure is known as Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy (LASEK). This is a type of refractive laser eye surgery designed to reshape the cornea so as to improve the ability of the eye to focus light, thus remedying different kinds of vision issues such as myopia (nearsightedness), hypermetropia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. After the laser molds the cornea, the flap is replaced back to its original place, covering the area where the corneal tissue was ablated. This procedure is typically less painful than PRK, and recovery time is usually shorter.
Is Lasik Eye Surgery a type of Laser Eye Treatment?
The main point to understand about the distinction between Laser surgery and Lasik surgery is that they are essentially the same. Lasik surgery is a specific type of laser surgery, with Lasik being an acronym for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. It is worth noting that while there are other types of laser eye surgeries, Lasik is always performed using a laser.
What are the benefits of Laser Eye Surgery?
Talking about the benefits of laser eye surgery, the most common benefit is that you no longer have to wear your glasses to see clearly. While there are other benefits, too, such as:
For one who is unable to wear contact lenses due to medical or any other reason and thus has to wear glasses. Can now get benefited from laser surgery.
The convenience of not wearing corrective eyewear with the help of laser surgery.
Helpful for adventure and activity-loving souls, as they can’t wear glasses or contact lenses while undertaking any activities such as swimming, sports, or many more such adventure activities.
How Do I Prepare for Laser Eye Surgery?
Before undergoing laser eye surgery, it is essential to ensure that it is a suitable treatment option for you and that you meet the criteria as a potential candidate for LASIK. To facilitate this process, it is crucial to provide your doctor with a comprehensive understanding of your medical history. Additionally, in preparation for the surgery, refrain from wearing any eye makeup and avoid using moisturizers, lotions, or perfumes on your face.
Furthermore, it is recommended to discontinue the use of contact lenses for several weeks or as advised by your doctor before undergoing laser eye surgery. This allows the cornea to return to its natural shape and ensures accurate measurements for the procedure. Following these guidelines helps to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the laser eye operation.
It is important to note that laser eye surgery is a medical procedure performed to correct vision problems. The surgeon uses a laser to reshape the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. By reshaping the cornea, light rays are focused more accurately onto the retina at the back of the eye, resulting in improved vision.
After the surgery, it is common to experience some discomfort or temporary changes in vision. Following the post-operative instructions provided by your doctor is essential for proper healing. Regular check-ups and follow-up appointments are typically scheduled to monitor your progress and address any concerns. It may take several days or even months after surgery to achieve optimal results.
It is advisable to consult with an ophthalmologist or eye specialist, such as those at the National Eye Institute, to discuss the benefits and risks of laser eye surgery and determine if it is the right treatment option for your specific refractive eye conditions.
Note: While I strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice regarding medical procedures and treatments.
What are the risks of Laser Surgery?
Although laser surgery has very less risk linked to it, yet, there are exceptions. So here are a few of the most common risks of having laser eye surgery:
People suffering from significant cataracts may find it difficult to have correct vision even after having laser surgery.
Their risk of developing fewer eye infections such as ocular herpes or keratitis.
People suffering from large pupils cannot see laser surgery much effective.
Patients with laser surgery can develop a much thinner cornea which is even more unstable over time.
What are the side effects faced by Laser Surgery patients?
Below are some of the complications faced by laser surgery patients:
· Glare: Among laser surgery patients, it's a very common complication, as around 20% of patient’s experience sensitivity towards light, halo or glare.
· Dry Eyes: Around 95% of patients, after undergoing laser surgery treatment, suffers from dry eye issues. As their eyes produce lesser tears resulting in dry eyes. So, to overcome it, lubricating eye drops can be used in this situation.
· Blurry vision: One in fifty patients report blurriness or something stuck in their eye’s complications. It’s mainly due to a specific type of syndrome commonly known as lamellar keratitis.
What to Expect if you are considering Lasik Surgery?
Coming next is what to expect from laser surgery; if you are planning to undergo eye laser surgery, then you should know it takes less than 30 minutes. Here are a few other things which you should expect while undergoing laser surgery:
You will be made to sit on a reclining chair underneath a laser device or computer screen.
After which, the eye area would be cleaned, and anesthetic eye drops would be applied to numb your eyes before the procedure begins.
A lid speculum, which is a medical instrument, would be used to hold your eyelids open.
You would be asked to stare at a light so that your eyes stay still.
After which, the eye surgeon would apply a shield to protect your eye.
So, now that you know each and every important detail related to laser eye surgery, you can reach out to our specialist at Spectra Eye Hospital, and they will guide you in seeing your medical condition and which laser surgery type would be most suited for you.
