More Information On Laser Eye Surgery

There is a lot more information on laser eye surgery today than there was 20 years ago. Back then, it was probably still being thought of as some futiristic medical procedure saved for television shows such as Star Trek. So exactly what is laser eye surgery? In a nutshell, laser eye surgery is used to reshape the cornea. People with conditions such as myopia and hypermetropia, short and long sightedness, have benefitted from laser eye surgery just when they were probably thinking their condition was something they would have to live with.

The restoration of normal vision is the aim of laser eye surgery and the results thus far have been nothing short of amazing. In a lot of cases, contacts and glasses have become a thing of the past for many patients.Information on laser eye surgery is readily available, either through your physician or by doing a search on the internet.

In one type of laser eye surgery, the outer layer of the cornea, also called epithelium, is removed and an excimer laser is used to reshape underneath tissue. This procedure is called photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

In a newer procedure, a microkeratome is used to cut a flap in the corneal tissue, which is then lifted and an excimer laser is used to reshape underlying tissue. In the end, the flap is put back to its place. This type of laser eye surgery is called laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Nowadays, it is more commonly used than PRK.

Did You Know?

There are many variations of lasik eye surgery. PRK was once the most common refractive eye surgery procedure performed. However, with the introduction of lasik it has taken "more of a back seat" but still has a prominent role in the world of laser eye surgery. Depending on the requirements of patients, PRK can benefit both near and far sighted people but always ask your doctor why he is recommeding this type of procedure. Be clear about what you are going to undertake.

More Information On Laser Eye Surgery

The excimer laser is a special type of laser that does not burn the corneal tissue, but vaporizes a small quantity of the cornea each time a beam is pulsed onto the eye surface. The number of pulses and diameter of the beam are carefully controlled by a computer to enhance accuracy.

Local anesthetic eye drops are used before the surgery. The procedure takes a few minutes per eye. The actual time when the laser is used for reshaping the corneal tissue is generally less than a minute.

Various eye conditions require different types of treatment:

Myopia - the central peak of the cornea has to be flattened in order to reduce short-sightedness and improve vision.
Hypermetropia - the central peak of the cornea has to be made steeper in order to improve vision. The laser is applied to the edges of the cornea.
Astigmatism – this is a condition where the cornea is not evenly curved. The laser is applied more linear to improve vision.

More Information on Laser Eye Surgery – The Post Surgery

After laser eye surgery, you should expect some minor discomfort. However, you should be able to see, although not very clearly. You won't be able to drive on your own, so you need to have someone drive you home or take a cab.

More Information on Laser Eye Surgery - What Are The Possible Side Effects

Just like any operation, laser eye surgery involves a few risks as well. You should have some information on laser eye surgery and its possible complications and side effects before deciding you want to have this type of surgery.

Treatment not successful – this may be the result of either under treatment and over treatment. You may need another surgery to enhance vision.
Dry eyes - you might have to use eye drops.
Delayed healing – the flap or the outer layer of the cornea might not heal properly and require follow-up treatment.
Infection – in case of an infection, you may need to follow an antibiotic treatment.
Superficial scarring – a second procedure might be needed to repair scarred tissue.
Excessive thinning of the cornea – vision problems may return and you might need to use contacts or have another surgery.
Sensitive eyes - some patients experience excessive sensitivity to glare, which makes driving more difficult.
Blurred vision – 'halos' might result from the surgical procedure, but usually they fade out over time.

There is certainly a lot of information on laser eye surgery to wade through. It can be a little confusing initially for anyone first exploring the world of laser eye surgery. Make sure you understand exactly what is involved. As with any surgery, there are always risks invoved but before you get put off by these, examine very closely the benefits. The reason given by many patients for eventually do go ahead with laser eye surgery is that the benefits far outweigh the risks.