Laser eye surgery fixes problems like blurred vision or the need to wear glasses or contacts. Many people use this surgery to help them see without wearing glasses or contact lenses. But how effective is laser eye surgery?
In this article, we will talk about how laser eye surgery works, how well it works, and what you can expect.
What Is Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser eye surgery is a treatment that helps fix vision problems. (We call this type of problem a refractive error.) It works by changing the shape of the cornea, which is the clear front part of your eye. When light enters your eye, it passes through the cornea and the lens to focus on the retina.
This way, it can send a message to your brain to help you see. Sometimes, the cornea is not shaped correctly, making things look blurry or hard to see.
During laser eye surgery, the doctor uses a specific laser to reshape the cornea carefully. This helps the light focus better on the retina, which can make your vision clearer. The surgery is quick, and most people start to see better soon after.
Laser eye treatment can fix different types of vision problems, including:
- Myopia (Nearsightedness): You can see close-up things if you have myopia. But things far away look blurry. Laser eye surgery helps flatten the cornea. As a result, light focuses correctly for better distant vision.
- Hyperopia (Farsightedness): Things close to you might look blurry if you have hyperopia. Laser eye surgery helps by making the cornea a little steeper so you can see close-up things more clearly.
- Astigmatism: Astigmatism is when your vision is blurry or distorted at all distances. This happens because the cornea is shaped more like a football than a round ball. Laser eye surgery can correct astigmatism by making the light focus properly.
Different Types Of Laser Refractive Surgery
There are different types of laser eye surgery. Each one helps people see better in slightly different ways. Let’s look at some of the most common types of laser eye surgery:
LASIK Surgery
LASIK eye surgery stands for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. It is one of the most popular types of laser eye surgery. During LASIK, the doctor uses a laser beam to make a small flap in the corneal tissue.
Once the flap is made, the doctor reshapes the tissue underneath it to help fix your vision. After reshaping the cornea, the flap is gently put back in place. The recovery time is usually quick, and many people may see better right away.
LASIK is often used to fix myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.
SMILE Surgery
SMILE stands for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. It is a newer type of laser eye surgery that is less invasive than LASIK. In SMILE, the doctor uses a laser to make a small opening in the cornea.
Then, the doctor removes a small piece of tissue from the cornea to reshape it and fix your vision. SMILE uses a smaller incision and does not need to create a flap. That’s why it may be a good choice for people who want surgery with less recovery time.
SMILE is mostly used to treat myopia (nearsightedness). It can also be a good option for people with dry eyes because it may cause less irritation after the surgery.
PRK Surgery
PRK stands for Photorefractive Keratectomy. It is another type of laser eye surgery, and it is like LASIK, but there is one main difference. Instead of making a flap in the cornea like in LASIK, the doctor removes the very outer layer of the cornea first.
After this, the doctor uses the laser to reshape the tissue underneath. The outer layer of the cornea will grow back over time.
PRK is a good option for people who may not be good candidates for LASIK, like people with thin corneas. Although the recovery time for PRK may be a bit long, it can still be very useful for fixing vision problems.
PRESBYOND
PRESBYOND is a type of laser eye surgery designed to help people with presbyopia. Presbyopia happens as people get older, usually starting around age 40. It causes difficulty seeing things up close, like reading a book or using a phone.
During PRESBYOND, the doctor makes tiny changes in the cornea to improve near and far vision. This helps people who need reading glasses or bifocals see without needing glasses. PRESBYOND works by creating different zones in the cornea. This allows the person to see well both up close and far away.
PRESBYOND is a good choice for older people who want to stop wearing glasses for reading and other tasks.
Why Choose One Over The Other?
Choosing a specific surgery depends on the thickness of your cornea and your health. Some people might be better suited for one surgery, while others may have a different option. Your doctor will help guide you to the best choice based on your needs and eye health.
How Effective Is Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser eye surgery works well for many people. People should see much better without needing glasses or contact lenses. After surgery, patients may have 20/25 vision or better, meaning they may see well without help.
How Quickly Does It Work?
But for most people, it continues to improve over the next few days. The healing process can take a few weeks, but people may feel better soon.
Is It Safe?
Laser eye surgery is accurate for many people. It has a very high success rate. Many people who have had surgery are happy with their results.
But, like with any surgery, there can be some risks. Some people experience dry eyes or sensitivity, but these problems usually go away.
Who Can Have Laser Eye Surgery?
Not everyone is good for laser eye surgery. Some people may be unable to have the surgery because of health issues or because their eyes are not in good condition.
The best candidates for laser eye surgery are people who:
- Are over 18 years old.
- Have a stable vision.
- Have no serious eye conditions, like glaucoma or cataracts.
- Have healthy corneas.
Your doctor will do tests to make sure you are a good candidate for surgery.
What To Expect During The Surgery
If you’re thinking about having laser eye surgery, you might wonder what the surgery is like. Don’t worry! The process is quick and simple. Here’s what you can expect before, during, and after the surgery.
Before The Surgery
Before the surgery, your eye surgeon will examine your eyes to make sure laser surgery is right for you. They will check the shape of your cornea and vision to make sure there are no problems with your eyes. They may also ask about your health history.
During The Surgery
The procedure takes about 30 minutes. You will be awake, but your eye doctor will numb your eyes with drops so you won’t feel much pain. The doctor will use a laser beam to reshape the cornea, which will help fix your vision problem. You won’t feel anything during the surgery.
After The Surgery
After the surgery, you may feel slight discomfort, like having something in your eye. You may also feel dry eyes for a short time. Most people feel better within a few hours, and you can go back to your normal activities in just a few days. You will need to go back to the doctor for check-ups to make sure your eyes are healing well.
Risks Of Laser Eye Surgery
Laser eye surgery is very safe, but there are some risks, like any surgery. Some possible risks include:
- Dry Eyes: Some people experience dry eyes after the surgery, but this usually goes away with time.
- Light Sensitivity: Some people may be sensitive to light after surgery.
- Infection: There is a small risk of infection after the surgery, but this is rare.
Your doctor will explain these risks to you before the surgery so that you understand what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can laser eye surgery fix all vision problems?
Laser eye surgery can fix many vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Yet, it may not be the right option for people with certain eye conditions or very bad vision. Your doctor will help you decide if it’s right for you.
What happens if I have dry eyes after the surgery?
Your doctor may suggest eye drops to keep your eyes comfortable while healing. Most people find that the dryness improves within a few weeks.
Can I drive after laser eye surgery?
People may drive again within a day or two after surgery. But your doctor will tell you when based on your recovery. You must attend follow-ups to check on your eyes before resuming driving.
Can I wear contacts before the surgery?
Usually, your doctor will tell you to avoid contact lenses weeks before the procedure. This is because they can change the shape of your cornea for some time. As a result, the surgery’s accuracy may suffer. Your eye doctor will tell you when to stop wearing them.
The Bottom Line
If you need laser eye surgery, talk to an eye doctor to see if it’s right. They can help guide you through the process and make sure you get the best results possible.
If you’re ready to enjoy life without glasses or contact lenses, Dr Ed is here in Melbourne to help! Contact Dr Edward Roufail today at (03) 9071 0180 to learn more about how laser eye surgery can help you.
Note: Surgical or invasive procedures carry inherent risks. As part of our standard practice, we thoroughly discuss these risks during the consent process before any surgical procedure. Your understanding and comfort are our utmost priority.
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