Laser eye surgery has become an incredibly popular procedure in recent years. Laser eye surgery treatments use a laser to reshape the surface of the eye in order to improve vision. There are a number of variations to the operation, but essentially, a predetermined amount of the cornea is removed. The cornea is a thin, transparent, dome-shaped piece of tissue that covers the coloured part of the eye. In this way, the cornea is reshaped and the eye’s ability to focus is improved. Voila, your 20/20 vision is restored.
Laser eye surgery treatments are used to correct nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia), as well as astigmatisms. These are all refractive errors, which obstruct the eye’s ability to focus- this is why you experience blurred vision. Depending on the type of refractive error from which you suffer, the operation will differ slightly. For example, if you are nearsighted, the surgeon will use the laser to flatten the cornea. If you suffer from an astigmatism, however, where the cornea is curved more in one direction than the other, the laser is applied to make the cornea more evenly curved.
The procedure
The first procedures of this nature were performed over 20 years ago, and since then the procedure has been perfected. In a typical laser eye surgery treatment, a hinged corneal flap is created to expose the cornea. The cornea is then reshaped using the laser and the flap is replaced.
Laser eye surgery treatments are painless and you do not need to go under general anaesthetic. Instead, local anaesthetic eyedrops are used. In addition, the procedure is quick, taking less than 5 minutes per eye.
You can expect only minor discomfort postoperatively. Only a small percentage of patients experience some kind of complications, such as sensitivity to light or dry eyes, after surgery. Fortunately, technological advances mean that the complications and side-effects of the procedure have been dramatically reduced. Those problems that do occur can be easily corrected. The majority of patients can expect only minor discomfort postoperatively and a very short recovery time.
The results
More than 1 million Americans undergo laser eye surgery treatments every year. In most cases, patients are very happy with the results and the fact that they no longer have to wear glasses or contact lenses. In fact, many patients experience 20/20 vision after the operation.
Should you consider laser eye surgery?
Laser eye surgery treatments may be suitable for you if:
- You no longer want to or cannot wear glasses or contact lenses
- For work or leisure, you engage in activities in which you cannot wear glasses or contact lenses
- You are at least 20 years of age
- Your glasses prescription (refraction) has been stable for at least 1 year
- You suffer from certain diseases/illnesses such as diabetes (consult your surgeon for more details)
- Your cornea is very thin or abnormally shaped (your surgeon will be able to determine this pre-operatively)