Laser eye surgery is a type of refractive surgery that utilizes a highly specialized laser designed to reshape the cornea in order to improve a person's vision and treat refractive errors. There are different types of laser eye surgery; with LASIK, being the most popular. As compared to other surgical corrective procedures, its benefits are reduced pain and quicker recovery as it is an outpatient treatment.
So, how to tell if you could require laser eye surgery?
Choosing the right centre is your first step in determining your need for laser eye surgery. With the right centre, a thorough eye examination and consultation will be done to verify if you are a fitting candidate for this type of treatment. Your eyes will be examined to determine their health, what kind of vision correction you need, and how much laser ablation or corneal tissue removal is required. The doctor will also ask about any health conditions that may disqualify you altogether for laser surgery. Your prescription and eye structure will be considered to help determine which procedure is best for you. Corneal thickness is one of the determining factors that are taken into consideration when deciding if you are eligible for laser eye surgery.
Other several requirements must be initially met in order to qualify for laser eye surgery. You should have good general health and be at least 18 years old with a stable vision for at least one year. You should not be pregnant or nursing, you should not be taking prescription medication, no infection or injury within the past year and you should not be suffering from any degenerative or autoimmune disease, glaucoma or dry eyes.
This surgery is best to correct refractory errors in patients who either have Myopia (nearsightedness) wherein near objects seem clearer while distant objects tend to be blurry, Hyperopia (farsightedness) when near objects are blurry while distant objects tend to be clearer, or Astigmatism in which the corneal or lens shape is distorted which causes objects at all distances to appear blurry. Most people with Astigmatism may also have a combination of Myopia or Hyperopia. For these common eye conditions, laser eye surgery has become a safe treatment option. However, prescription should not have changed considerably for at least a year to be eligible for this procedure to be done.
This procedure changes the eyes' focusing power to improve visual acuity. To treat nearsighted people, laser surgery is done to level out the cornea which tends to be too steep. While with farsighted people, the cornea is made steeper. For people with astigmatism, the cornea has an irregular shape and the goal is to smoothen it out into a more natural and normal shape.
Proven to have a high success rate, this type of surgery can be very effective and beneficial to many people who undergo it. However, it is rather important to consider that despite all the benefits, there are also risks that should be carefully weighed before electing this procedure. All these, including possible side effects are best discussed during your pre-examination and consultation to determine if laser eye surgery if for you.
