The need for laser eye surgery is rising nowadays. On a global scale, about 30 to 50 million treatments take place every day. This means that more and more people are regaining normal use of their eyesight from this procedure.
Aside from the hike in demand for laser surgery, the technology behind this procedure has resurged with greater efficiency over the last 3 decades. The advantage of this improvement is that specialists now know better when it comes to the best candidate for laser surgery. In all, not only are patients gaining, eye surgeons are also benefiting from this amazing eye treatment in terms of knowledge.
So, what are the issues that a laser eye surgery can fix? We will find out in this article.
Refractive errors that are treatable with laser eye surgery
Myopia (nearsightedness):
Genetically, this eyesight issue can pass on from parents to children. This issue is noticeable in people ranging from 8 to 12 years. Nearsightedness commonly leads to poor vision. About 1 in 3 persons in the UK experience this issue.
Having an optician check your eye regularly for people with myopia is critical. Why? Serious cases of myopia are very much liable to worsen into a case where the retina remains detached. This is less in those without myopia.
LASIK surgery – a type of laser eye surgery used to correct myopia. The surgeon will simply make a flap on the cornea, take out problematic tissues using a laser and have the shape of the cornea changed. Thereafter, the flap will replace in its position and healing will start to take place.
Diabetic retinopathy:
This is a retina disorder that has a link with diabetes. When this happens, the retina sees the growth of new blood vessels. However, laser procedures can mitigate this growth and treat diabetic retinopathy. Even this treatment addresses cases of maculopathy. What is most beneficial from the procedure is the control of diabetes.
Maculopathy that is dangerous to vision and eye injections can fix them. In cases where the retinopathy is very severe, and there is no possibility to have laser eye surgery, then an eye surgery is necessary to take out scar or blood tissue.
Within about 20 to 40 minutes, a laser procedure gets over. It takes place as an outpatient procedure. And the surgery protects the eye from being filled with blood from new blood vessels.
Hyperopia (long-sightedness):
When the curvature of the cornea is very small, or the eye length is extremely short from front to back, the condition is called hyperopia. This brings images to a position that’s beyond the retina – an imperfection in eyesight.
Again, LASIK treatment can work for long-sightedness just like it does for nearsightedness. Another laser eye surgery type that can fix both of these conditions is Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK). For those who may not get LASIK, PRK is a good alternative.
However, in PRK, a thin corneal layer removes prior to changing the shape of the cornea, unlike in LASIK where a cornea flap has been. In general, the suitability of any of these procedures comes down to the eye structure of the patient needs treatment.
Cataracts:
A refractive error results from cloudy lens. To correct cataracts, surgeon incise the eye to take out the damaged lens, and in its place, an intraocular lens implant takes place. It is a clear plastic lens.
There are 3 primary steps when surgery is necessary to remove the different types of cataract. At the back of the iris, it is the locaion of the lens. So, when it becomes cloudy, surgeon removes it from there. After the materials causing the cloudiness gets cleared off, the intraocular lens will implant in the capsular bag, which is now free from haziness. The surgeon will ensure that after installing the IOL it is correctly positioned so that vision becomes clearer than before.
Are there risks of complications with laser eye surgery?
It is typical for every surgery to carry some level of complications. Laser eye surgery has its own risk of complications, but the bonuses are greater.
That brings us to another huge benefit of technological improvement in laser eye surgery. Yes, tech upgrade has lowered complications so much so that it is conclusive that LASIK is very safe along with being a popular form of eye treatment with laser.
The next important thing
You must check the health of your eyes before ever proceeding with laser eye surgery. Overall, this is important so that your eye condition doesn’t worsen in the cause of treatment especially when it is not suitable to have laser procedure.
For instance, if your are to undergo a LASIK surgery, your prescription needs to be stable for a minimum of one year before the treatment takes place.
Schedule your laser eye surgery at Optimal Vision
We offer one of the best laser eye surgery for a large number of patients whether it is LASIK, SMILE or LASEK/PRK. Optimal Vision is the home of the most caring eye specialist with thorough knowledge on how to treat refractive errors.
Our diagnostic check is super – ensuring every aspect of your eye health isscrutinised. And in our clinic are modern eyecare equipment to aid us in providing excellent services for patients who are having conditions that impair vision.
And for those who think they may feel pain from LASIK eye surgery, note that it doesn’t cause any pain. Numbing eye drops will apply before starting the treatment.
So, if you are having any of the eye conditions discussed above, feel free to visit our laser eye surgery centre in London for an extensive diagnosis and possible treatment with LASIK or any other suitable procedure. Should you even have questions on laser eye surgery, we would be happy to provide answers. Book your appointment with us now.
