What Is Laser Eye Surgery?

The use of computer technology in medical science is fast developing. Nowadays there are a large number of surgical procedures available for patients who need to correct their vision.

Generally, laser eye surgery is used in three types of eye problems:
l myopia – near sighted
l hyperopia – far – sighted
l astigmatism – distorting vision at any distance

What cause these conditions are problems with the patient's ability to focus an image on the retina. The ability to focus varies upon three factors: the distance from the back to the front of the eye, the shape of the cornea and the lens. The cornea is the curved clear front surface of the human eye above the iris and the pupil. It provides approximately two thirds of the eye's ability to focus.

During a laser eye surgery, the surgeon changes the shape of the cornea using a device called Excimer Laser. This produces a laser beam that vaporizes tissue. It is also called a “cold” laser because it removes targeted areas of the eye tissue without harming the surrounding area.

Laser Procedures

The most common types of laser procedures are PRK (Photo-Refractive Keractomy), available since early nineties and LASIK (Laser Assisted in situ Keratomileusis), first introduced in mid nineties.

PRK – In this surgical procedure, the surgeon uses a beam of light that vaporizes small amounts of eye tissue on the surface of the eye. It removes enough tissue to reshape the cornea and correct vision. The patient is recovered within a week.

LASIK – This is a more complicated surgical procedure. The first step is to cut a flap of the cornea and lifted. Afterwards, the surgeon removes precise amounts of the inside layers of the cornea using a laser guided by a computer. In the end, the flap is put back in its place and the eye heals fast by itself.

Benefits and Risks

Laser eye surgery is always performed by high skilled and well prepared specialists. For most of the patients, the results are very good and their lives are significantly improved. They no longer have to wear glasses or contact lenses.

It is important to keep realistic expectations about laser eye surgery. Patients over 40 years of age may have to wear reading glasses even after the surgery. The eye continues to change after the surgery and you may have to wear prescription glasses or lenses at some point in your life. You might also need a second laser eye surgery if the first one is not entirely successful/

After PRK laser eye surgery, the patient may have a blurry vision throughout the healing process. However, this generally clears up later. Another possible outcome is regression, which means the eye will get back to its original state within around six months. When this happens, you either need another surgery or have to go back to wearing glasses or contact lenses.

LASIK surgery usually involves less negative effects and the eye heals faster. However, as it involves cutting part of the eye tissue, the risk of severe complications is greater.

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