Many people have heard of laser surgery but are not sure what it entails. It is used in refractive surgery, which includes dealing with the likes of nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, laser surgery can leave you less reliant on them.
A popular form of laser surgery is LASIK. This form of treatment involves the reshaping of the cornea to enable the light rays entering the eye to focus properly on the retina. So effective is LASIK that it is now the most popular laser eye surgery performed in the United States.
If you want LASIK, or indeed any form of laser eye treatment, your eye doctor will first have to check if your eyes are fit for it. This will include a thorough examination and a check on the moistness of your eyes, as you can develop “dry eyes” after LASIK treatment.
An instrument called a corneal topographer is used to map out your cornea. Your eye doctor may even conduct a wavefront analysis to provide a more accurate analysis of any problems with the eye. In addition, your general health condition, plus any medication you are currently taking will also have to be taken into consideration before deciding whether this form of eye surgery is for you.
LASIK is actually a very short procedure and usually takes only around five minutes for each eye. There is a myth that LASIK, or any form of laser eye surgery is painful – it is not, as pain-numbing drops are put in the eyes before the surgery.
f you decide to opt for laser eye surgery, it is vitally important to be informed about the process, the complications, and risks. According to LaserEyeSurgeryHub.co.uk,
A lid speculum is used to keep the eyelids open during treatment and the laser is positioned above the eye. Of course, the eye will have to be kept perfectly still, so a suction ring is applied to the front.
Your eye doctor will create a corneal flap in the eye, which will provide a natural anchor. A computer adjusts the exciter laser to ensure your prescription is accurately matched. Pulses of light are sent to your cornea as the surgeon observes through a microscope. The laser will reshape your cornea and will cause you no pain, but you may feel some pressure in your eye.
Following the treatment, your eyesight may be blurry, but this will have mostly cleared by the next morning and it should be completely clear after only a few days. As with any form of medical treatment, anyone considering eye laser treatment should deal with a renowned practice. By doing so you can be assured your treatment will be both efficient and safe.
Before undergoing LASIK eye surgery, you should discount any of the myths surrounding it. It cannot make you blind. Laser eye surgery has been around for decades; LASIK is a modern form of this treatment and there are no unknown complications.
Good eyesight is essential if you are going to enjoy a good lifestyle. LASIK, along with other laser eye surgery procedures will help correct eye problems and enable you to carry on enjoying life to the full.