Corrective Laser Eye Surgery

Corrective laser eye surgery has become very popular in the last couple of years and is being used on a large scale in ophthalmology to treat various eye conditions. It can be used to treat diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, presbyopia and diabetic retinopathy.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma consists of a higher intraocular pressure that causes harm to the optic nerve. There are several types of corrective laser surgery used to lower this pressure and treat glaucoma:

l 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.
l 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.
l 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

Macular degeneration is a condition consisting of an abnormal growth of blood vessels that causes vision loss, generally associated with the old age. 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:

l Laser surgery – involves using a laser to damage new blood vessels that appear in the eye.
l 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

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.

Presbyopia

This is also an eye condition related to age in which the eye loses its flexibility and ability to focus on close objects. The type of 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.

There are other eye conditions that can be treated with corrective laser eye surgery too. For more in-depth information on what these eye diseases are what procedures can be used and whether you are a good candidate, it is best to talk to a doctor.

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