Understanding the Laser Eye Surgery

Laser eye surgery is certainly a revolutionary treatment for people suffering from poor eyesight. For many, having laser eye surgery is like having a new burst of life, being able to see the world, and loved ones, clearly once again, without the fiddly application of contact lenses or having to use a pair of glasses.

Although the treatment is expensive, glasses and contact lenses can be costly to maintain in the long run. Not only that, but some patients feel that wearing glasses / contacts can be a hindrance to work or family life, or even their social life. Laser eye surgery not only returns your ‘best’ vision, but it can help you rebuild your confidence.

But is laser eye surgery for everyone? Take a look at everything you need to know about laser eye surgery below.

What is Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery is a type of ocular surgery where light is used to reshape the surface of your eye so that your vision can be restored. This surface is called the ‘cornea’ reshaping it, or reshaping the layers beneath it, can make incredible improvements to your eyesight.

Currently, over 22 million procedures have already been carried out worldwide and the results have been outstanding.

There are different types of laser eye surgery so be sure to speak to your local optician about the procedure. Basic information about these procedures is provided below:

• LASIK laser eye surgery – a knife or a laser is used to cut a small flap in the cornea and a laser is then used to reshape the layers underneath. This will correct the refractive error of the eye.
• Photorefractive keratectomy – the cornea is reshaped without the need to cut a flap.
• Laser thermal keratoplasty – a ring of concentric burns cause the surface of the eye to steepen, which improves your vision.
• Phototherapeutic keratectomy – this is a procedure where opacities and surface irregularities are removed from the surface of your eye.
• Laser coagulation – used to treat various eye conditions, this procedure is where blood vessels in the eye are cauterized using a laser.

The most common form of laser eye surgery is LASIK and if you speak to your local optician, they will be able to talk you through the process much more thoroughly. A qualified optician can also help to provide you with guidance in what options are most suited to you.

What are the Risks of Laser Eye Surgery?

There are many benefits to getting laser eye surgery done and with over 22 million procedures carried across the globe already, it’s fast becoming a popular solution for the visually impaired. Many patients report that having laser eye surgery has given them a new sense of freedom and regaining their eyesight can enhance so many different areas of your life; your work, your school studies, your day to day concentration, your family life, sports and various other aspects of social life.

But what about the risks? If you are considering laser eye surgery, there’s no doubt that weighing up the pros and cons, is a key part of your decision.

Laser eye surgery is considered to be a very safe, easy and convenient minor operation that can change your life dramatically. But as with any surgical treatment, there could be a few side effects or risks. Before you choose to go ahead with your treatment, it’s important to remember that any changes made to the cornea cannot be reversed.

Some side effects may include dry eyes, glare, fluctuating vision or difficulty driving at night. Everyone is different and some may not get any side effects at all. For anyone thinking about laser eye surgery, it’s always important to weight up the benefits against the potential side effects.