Since the launch of laser eye surgery into the eye care industry over 3 decades, it has seen a number of changes. These changes are great to the extent that a lot of information concerning the procedure is available.
But it is critical to point out that most of these information are incorrect, which may be as a result of misinformation, wrong guidance, promo use, or lack of update. All of these constitute the clouds that make it confusing for people who are in need of laser eye surgery to know if the treatment is worth it.
Today, we will tell you all about laser eye surgery in simple terms so that these misconceptions will be addressed. However, it makes sense to first discuss the reasons behind the need for laser eye surgery.
Why should I have laser eye surgery?
This question is worth asking. Considering the fact that glasses offer safety and efficacy, and with contacts, one can play sports or perform physical activities, why laser eye surgery? Yes, why this procedure?
Your need for contacts and glasses is eliminated when you get laser eye surgery, and this is a huge bonus. This means that you won’t have to be concerned about handling these visual aids with care, nor will you be bothered by the associated risks. Plus you can enjoy more activities like every other person with healthy eyes.
Looking at it from this angle, there are optical aesthetic benefits to laser eye surgery – a treatment that is very effective. Come to think of it, your eyesight is the channel through which you appreciate and enjoy life, so having a treatment that revives these organs will in no small way improve the quality of your life. For most people, laser eye surgery is a life-changer!
Unfortunately, everybody may not qualify for a surgical procedure. This may be due to some temporary and non-temporary health issues. But should you be deterred? No. Go ahead and ask if you can have this treatment even if you have medical concerns. This is because one clinic may not approve your eligibility, yet another may consider you qualified.
How will laser eye surgery correct vision?
With glasses and contacts, eyesight is improved because an external lens is positioned over the eye such that light refraction and focus on the retina is changed.
As for laser surgery, the shape of the cornea and its power of focus is altered using a laser. This procedure is performed differently for many varying cases like myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia and astigmatism. And it is safe and precise.
In the UK, there are three popular procedures used for laser eye surgery: LASIK, SMILE, and PRK/LASEK. Any patient for which a procedure is appropriate sees the optimal outcome. This is why before you get any of the laser procedures. A good Laser Eye Surgery provider must screen you extensively. The consequences include, among others, a better vision.
What these laser eye treatments are and how they differ will be discussed next.
LASIK
Short for Laser In-situ Keratomileuses. This surgery happens with two laser types. The first is the femtosecond laser which creates a thin flap on the surface of the cornea. The second is the excimer laser that changes the cornea shape.
When the cornea has been worked on, the specialist puts the flap back in its former place. The whole area is left alone to heal. Since the external surface of the eye is least disturbed in LASIK. There is better improvement with this procedure, plus the time of recovery is fast-paced than PRK/LASEK.
ReLEx SMILE
An acronym for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. This is a more advanced – in fact, the most recent laser procedure where a single femtosecond laser works the eye completely.
The cornea is slightly incised, and the laser identifies the affected tissue. When SMILE is described as a keyhole operation, this is what brings about it. Basically, it is a LASIK surgery, but no flap is created.
SMILE is slightly invasive, and so some patients enjoy bonuses especially dry eye patients or those with a prescription that’s high.
LASEK/PRK
When the external layer of the cornea take out or pushed to one side. The laser eye operation is termed LASEK and PRK. These surgeries happen on the surface.
The removed layer will grow again after about 14 days. Then it will take a couple of months to become smooth and regain vision.
During the period of regrowth of the cornea layer, one may experience discomfort on the eye surface. This accounts for the difference between this procedure and LASIK or SMILE where the external layer of the cornea is preserved.
The method of removing the layer of the cornea is what makes surface treatments to be different. But the outcome is nearly the same. What happens in LASEK and PRK is that the layer of skin is absorbed in alcohol first before it is removed. There are some advanced excimer lasers that, during the time of reshaping the cornea, can take out the layer of skin.
Final words
Laser eye surgery is a simple procedure to understand though it is complex to be done. As much as possible, find out your eligibility for this treatment; don’t just give up because you were rejected by a clinic.
Whether it is LASIK, LASEK/PRK or SMILE, we offer a thorough diagnosis for any of these procedures before confirming a patient’s suitability.
It is our hope that this article helps you understand this procedure called laser eye surgery better so that you can be guided accordingly. Where you still don’t understand or have more questions to ask, our friendly eye care doctors are very much ready to meet you in a consultation.
Optimal Vision is one of the finest laser eye surgery providers in London. We pride ourselves on our extensive diagnosis and effective treatment for a range of refractive errors using laser and other methods of eye treatment. You should book an appointment today.
