Corrective Laser Eye Surgery-Used on A Number Of Eye Conditions

Eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, presbyopia and diabetic retinopathy are now treated by corrective laser eye surgery. The procedure has become very popular in recent times and patients have reported a high success rate.

Glaucoma is caused by a lack of blood supply to the optic nerve fibers. In other words, this area of the eye is being starved of nutrition. The bad news is that once optic nerve fibers die they cannot be regenerated.This used to be associated only with high pressures. We now know that it is the blood flow to the optic nerve, which connects the brain to the back of the eye, that makes a difference in glaucoma — not just eye pressure. Unfortunately, once optic nerve fibers die, they cannot be rejuvenated. Glaucoma consists of a higher intraocular pressure that causes harm to the optic nerve. Certain types of corrective laser eye surgery is used to treat and lower this pressure.

What Is The Corrective Laser Eye Surgery Procedure Used To Treat Glaucoma?

Trabeculoplasty – Tissue from the eye structure that determines the flow of fluid (trabecular meshwork) is ablated with the use of a laser. This procedure causes an increased outflow from the eye. It is used for patients suffering from open-angle glaucoma.
Iridotomy – The tissue from the iris is ablated using a laser. This type of corrective laser eye surgery is used to treat closed-angle glaucoma.
Cyclophotocoagulation – The ciliary tissue is ablated using a laser. Cyclophotocoagulation is used to treat patients who didn't respond to other surgical procedures.

Macular degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration, causes the greatest vision loss and blindness in people aged 65 and older in the western world. Degeneration of the macula, which drives sharp, central vision within the retina, causes central vision loss.If discovered early, it can be treated using corrective laser eye surgery. The disease will not be cured, but this type of treatment can prevent future vision loss. There are two types of treatments used for this eye condition:

Laser surgery – involves using a laser to damage new blood vessels that appear in the eye.
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) – A photoactive medicine is used together with the laser treatment to damage new blood vessels. The medicine is injected into the blood and then activated through corrective laser eye surgery, proving very effective in destroying blood vessels. However, you might need several sessions to get the desired effects.

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition consisting of an abnormal growth of blood vessels, as well as damaged blood vessels. Generally, it can be prevented or at least delayed with a good diabetes treatment. However, if this disease develops, it can be treated with a certain type of corrective laser eye surgery: laser photocoagulation. This procedure works by sealing leaking blood vessels and slowing down the process of abnormal blood vessel growth.

Are you in your 40s and experiencing blurred vision when trying to focus close up such as reading books or newspapers. This is known as presbyopia and there is no getting around it, it's an age-related condition. Corrective laser eye surgery used to treat this disease is called monovision. This surgical procedure corrects one eye for close vision and another from distance vision. This type of corrective laser eye surgery is not reversible, so patients are often advised to try it out with contact lenses first to see if the eyes adjust properly.

We've covered a few eye conditions which are treatable with corrective laser eye surgery. If you've got concerns and questions to ask, you should consult your doctor.