Laser eye surgery has changed the way we fix our blurred vision. If you’re tired of wearing eyeglasses and contact lenses or just want a long-term solution for vision problems, laser eye surgery might be the right choice for you. Yet, like any medical procedure, not everyone can have laser eye surgery. Knowing laser eye surgery requirements is important before deciding if it’s right for you.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about the requirements. We’ll also share what to expect before, during, and after the surgery and help you understand what makes someone a good candidate for laser treatment.
What Is Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser eye surgery is a remarkable medical treatment that uses a particular light (laser beam) to fix problems with your vision. These problems can include short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. The goal is to change the shape of the cornea, which is the clear part at the front of your eye, so that the light can focus on the retina at the back of your eye.
How Does Laser Eye Surgery Work?
During laser eye surgery, a skilled eye doctor uses a laser to create a tiny cut in the cornea, the clear part of the eye.
Then, another laser is used to reshape the inside part of the cornea. This helps fix vision problems and can help you see better without eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Laser Eye Surgery: Eligibility Requirements
Not everyone can have laser eye surgery. Certain things need to be verified for the surgery to work well. Here are some important things to think about:
Age
You must be at least 18 years old and have stable vision. The best age for laser eye surgery is usually between 20 and 40. This is because your eyes should be fully developed, and your glasses or contact lens prescription should stay the same for at least a year.
Stable Vision
Your vision should be stable for laser eye surgery. This means your glasses or contact lens prescription should not have changed for at least a year before the surgery. If your vision is still changing, it may not be the right time for surgery.
Healthy Eyes
Your eyes need to be healthy for laser eye surgery. Conditions like dry eyes, glaucoma, or diabetes can affect healing and might make you not a good candidate for surgery. If you have serious vision problems or have had eye surgeries before, you might need to look at other options.
Medical History
Your medical history is very important when deciding if you can have laser eye surgery. Certain health conditions, like autoimmune diseases or pregnancy, might affect your ability to have the surgery. Talk with your eye surgeon about your health history before deciding on the surgery.
General Health
Your health matters when it comes to laser eye surgery. If you have health issues that make it harder for your body to heal, like uncontrolled diabetes, you might not be a good candidate. Laser eye surgery requires your body to heal well, so it’s important to make sure your health is good.
Types Of Eye Laser Surgery
There are different types of laser refractive treatment, and each one has its own benefits. Your doctor will check your eye health and vision needs to decide which surgery is best for you. Here are the primary types of laser eye surgery:
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)
LASIK is a known type of laser eye surgery. An experienced LASIK surgeon makes a thin flap in the cornea (the clear part of your eye). Then, the flap is lifted to expose the corneal tissue, and an advanced excimer laser is used to reshape it. After that, the flap is put back in place, and you can heal faster with less discomfort.
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)
PRK is another laser eye surgery. It is often used for people with thin corneas who can’t have LASIK surgery. In PRK, the doctor removes the cornea’s outer layer before reshaping the tissue underneath. It takes a little longer to heal than LASIK, but can still give you great results.
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)
SMILE is a newer laser eye surgery. It forms a small cut in the cornea to remove a tiny piece of tissue. This surgery is less invasive than LASIK eye surgery and works well for people with stronger prescriptions or dry eyes.
Preparing For Laser Vision Correction Procedures
Before you have laser eye surgery, there are some steps to take to make sure everything goes well. Here’s what you need to do to prepare:
Consultation With Your Eye Surgeon
The first thing you’ll do is meet with an eye surgeon. During this visit, your doctor will check your eye health, discuss your medical history, and see if you meet the requirements for laser eye surgery.
Pre-Operative Testing
Your doctor will do some tests to check your vision and the thickness of your cornea. These tests help your doctor make the best plan for your surgery and make sure the surgery will work well to fix your vision.
Stopping Contact Lens Use
If you wear contact lenses, your doctor will ask you to stop wearing them for a while before the surgery. This is because contact lenses can change the shape of your cornea, which may affect how well the surgery works.
Usually, you’ll need to stop wearing soft lenses for at least two weeks and hard lenses for at least a month before the surgery.
Realistic Expectations
It’s important to have realistic expectations about the surgery. While it can improve your vision, everyone’s results may be slightly different.
Your eye doctor will discuss the benefits, possible risks, and the time it will take to heal.
The Laser Eye Surgery Procedure
On the day of your surgery, you will lie down comfortably in the surgery room. The surgery is quick, usually taking about 15 minutes for both eyes. Here’s what will happen:
Numbing Eye Drops
Before the surgery starts, your eye doctor will put numbing drops in your eyes so you won’t feel severe pain during the surgery. These drops will also keep your eyes comfortable and moist.
The Laser Treatment
Once your eyes are numb, the surgeon will use a particular laser to make a small flap in your cornea (for LASIK) or remove the outer layer (for PRK). A second laser will then reshape the cornea to fix your vision problems.
Closing The Incision
After the laser reshapes your cornea, your surgeon will put the flap back in place (for LASIK) or put a bandage contact lens on your eye (for PRK). This helps your eye heal correctly.
Post-Operative Healing And Recovery
After your laser eye surgery, you’ll need to follow some simple steps to help your eyes heal and avoid problems. Most people feel some discomfort or irritation right after the surgery, but this usually goes away in a few hours.
Follow-Up Appointments
Going to your follow-up appointments with your eye doctor is very important. They will check how your eyes are healing, look for any problems like swelling, and make sure your vision is getting better than expected.
Avoid Straining Your Eyes
During recovery, you should try not to strain your eyes. This means avoiding activities like reading for long periods or staring at a screen. You should also stay away from swimming or putting your eyes in water for a few weeks after surgery.
Dry Eyes And Other Symptoms
Some people may feel like their eyes are dry or blurry for a while after surgery. Your eye doctor will give you eye drops to help with these symptoms.
Long-Term Care
As your eyes heal, keep taking care of them. Following your doctor’s advice will help your vision improve and catch any problems early on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does laser eye surgery take?
The surgery usually takes 15–30 minutes for each eye. Before the surgery, you should plan to spend about an hour at the clinic for tests.
What are the risks of laser eye surgery?
Laser eye surgery is great for most people, but there are some risks. These include infection, dry eyes, and temporary blurry vision. Your eye doctor will discuss these risks during your visit.
Can I drive immediately after laser eye surgery?
You may drive the day after surgery, but you should wait until your vision is clear and your eye doctor approves it.
Conclusion
Laser eye surgery can change your life by helping you see better without glasses or contact lenses. You can feel good about getting the treatment if you meet the requirements and understand the procedure. If you’re ready to improve your vision, talk to a skilled eye doctor who can help you choose the right treatment.
If you’re thinking about laser eye surgery, make sure to see an eye doctor first. They will check if it’s a good option for you and talk about the benefits and risks. You deserve to see clearly, and with the right help, laser eye surgery might be just what you need!
If you’re thinking about laser eye surgery in Melbourne, you’re in the right place! Contact Dr Edward Roufail today at (03) 9071 0180. He’ll answer your questions and see if laser eye surgery is right for 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.
Sources
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