What is Laser Eye Surgery?
LASER, which is the most popular type of refractive surgery, is used to treat myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. The principle of LASIK or LASEK method is to open the cornea (by cutting a thin layer as a flap) and to correct the diopter with an excimer laser. There is a success rate of nearly 98% of treating refractive errors with laser eye surgery. The surgery can and should only be performed on eligible eyes and by an experienced medical doctor.
How is laser eye surgery performed?
The operation consists of lifting a flap from the top of the cornea, applying the laser to the layer to correct the defects, and placing the flap back. Anaesthetic drops are applied before surgery to the eyes. The patient does not feel pain during laser eye surgery. Eyelids are held open by a lid opener which might cause slight discomfort. The patient is required to look at the laser, according to the doctor’s instructions. After this very short procedure of approximately 7 minutes in total, the patients might feel pain and have watering eyes for 5-6 hours. Once this initial period is over, patients do not feel pain during the rest of the healing process. With the usage of eye drops regularly and sunglasses when outside, patients can go back to normal life the next day following surgery.
Who can have LASIK or LASEK surgery?
- Patients over 18 who use glasses or contact lenses
- Patients whose diopters didn’t change in the last year
- Patients with myopia up to -10 diopters
- Patients with astigmatism up to -6 diopters
- Patients with hyperopia up to +4 diopters
- Patients who have sufficient corneal thickness
- Patients who don’t have diabetes or rheumatism
- Patients who don’t have any other eye disease
Patients who consider laser surgery must undergo a pre-operative examination to assess the eye structure in regards to suitability for the selected method.
Misconceptions about eye laser surgeries
- ‘Patients go blind in 10 years after treatment’ – There is no risk of going blind with laser eye surgery, which has been used since the 1980s.
- ‘You can only have laser eye surgery once.’ – If your eye is suitable for it, you can have a second operation, if needed.
- ‘You will go colour blind after laser treatment’ – It is not possible to develop colour blindness after this surgery.
- ‘You should use eye drops for the rest of your life.’ – Eye drops are used only for the first months following treatment.
- ‘The reliability is not known for this surgery.’ – Laser eye surgery is a reliable and FDA-approved technology.
- ‘You can have LASIK or LASEK surgery, only if you have myopia.’ – Myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism patients can receive treatment.
- ‘You will feel pain and bleed during surgery.’ – Laser beams are targeted to the cornea where there are no veins. Also, with the anaesthetic drops, patients feel no pain.
Clients Words
I am absolutely happy with my experience with HealiumHealth. They know how to make you feel at ease by clearly explaining the procedure and reassuring you throughout the whole process. I strongly recommend.
Perfect in everyway. I recently had Lasik surgery and really happy about the result. It’s now 2 months after my surgery. I don’t have to think about glasses or contact lenses. Highly recommend them, you won’t be disappointed!
Professional friendly service from the very first experience. Consultations were excellent and all questions were answered to my satisfaction. Now no longer require glasses! Life changing! Perfect eyesight as a result. Would recommend to anyone.